RIYADH: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held talks in Opec’s leading oil producer Saudi Arabia on Sunday, officials said, before he headed to Algeria for further dialogue about low world crude prices.

“The visit aims to strengthen ties and friendship,” a Venezuelan official said in brief remarks, adding that it was “part of the tour to Opec members”. Maduro arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday from Iran, a fellow member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec).

Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Maduro discussed “developments in the international arena” and ways of enhancing ties between the two countries, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. It gave no details. Salman is the heir to the throne held by King Abdullah, who was admitted to hospital on Dec 31.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2015

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