Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who is also the head of the Saudi Kingdom's delegation to the 24th Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Kuwait, met late Sunday Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, the official SPA news agency reported Monday.
In the course of the meeting, "they exchanged views on issues listed on the agenda of the summit as well as the current developments in the region" such as developments in Iraq and the Palestinian cause.
The agency added that the reception was attended by the officials accompanying the delegations of both leaders.
Over a year ago, Saudi Arabia decided to recall its ambassador from Qatar for "consultations". That move followed animosity between the two Gulf countries over reporting by the Qatar-based al-Jazeera television station.
Al Jazeera has been perceived as being critical of the Saudi royal family. Last summer, Doha and Riyadh were in dispute after participants in a live al-Jazeera debate criticised Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's Middle East peace initiative and accused the oil-rich kingdom of betraying the Palestinian cause. The contributors were also critical of the kingdom's founder, King Abdul Aziz Bin Al-Saud.
In turn, Saudi commentators had criticised al-Jazeera for continuing contact with Israeli officials and for providing Israel what they viewed as a platform to express their views. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
