By DPA
Riyadh : US President George W. Bush offered Saudi Arabia an arms deal estimated to be worth $20 billion during his talks in Riyadh Tuesday but complained about spiralling oil prices.
Bush flew into the Saudi capital Monday for a two-day stay in the Islamic monarchy, the US’s number one friend in the Gulf.
US media reports said an agreement on new US arms sales to Saudi Arabia would be announced during the visit.
US Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said the Congress would first have to be informed of new arms exports to Riyadh. A senior White House official confirmed intensive bilateral talks on arms deliveries were under way.
The arms package includes Patriot missiles, satellite-guided weapons and high-tech munitions, according to media reports.
Bush is seeking Saudi Arabia’s support for his ongoing campaign against Iran. Throughout his Gulf Arab tour, the president has urged his allies to confront Tehran. But so far he has failed to garner support.
Striking a note of caution, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal urged Washington and Tehran to avoid escalation.
The kingdom would discuss with Iran any concerns it may have regarding its policies in the region, the minister said ahead of Bush’s regional tour.
Kuwait, another Gulf country that Bush visited, is sending its foreign minister to Tehran on a diplomatic offensive to defuse tensions between the US and Iran.