HRH Prince Saud Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair early tomorrow (Tuesday morning) to deliver a message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

This message will be within the context of the close relations between the two countries. In this connection, HRH Prince Saud will present ideas for a new initiative aimed at halting the deteriorating situation in Lebanon by requesting Prime Minister Blair to put pressure on Israel to end hostilities. The initiative also calls for an immediate cease fire.

The meeting in London is the third stop in Prince Saud’s emergency tour to international capitals. Last week, Prince Saud met with the French President, Jacques Chirac; yesterday, he held talks in Washington with US President George Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Prince Saud will depart London following his meeting with Mr Blair to Moscow for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Prince Saud is accompanied on this international tour by HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Secretary General of the Saudi National Security Council.

Saudi Arabia is keen to stop the current escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Prince Saud said: “The ongoing escalating violence will do nothing to resolve this situation. It will only make the problem worse, not just in Lebanon, but also within Palestinian territory and Iraq. Pressure at the highest international level from world leaders is needed to bring this crisis to an end. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is prepared to do whatever it can to help.”