Naharnet

Salam to Make First Official Visit to Riyadh Since Taking Office

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday, in his first official visit abroad since the formation of his cabinet in February.

Salam is expected to meet with Saudi King Abdullah and several top Saudi officials.

He will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation.

Salam told the Saudi Okaz daily that he would discuss with the top officials on Tuesday issues of common interest, in addition to the latest developments in the region.

His visit comes against the backdrop of a Saudi decision to lift its travel ban to Lebanon and the return of the Saudi Ambassador, Ali Awad Asiri, to Beirut to resume his official functions.

The prime minister is expected to visit Kuwait after his trip to Saudi Arabia.

An Nahar newspaper said Friday that al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Saniora will travel to Riyadh for discussions with al-Mustaqbal movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri.

It was not clear if Salam would meet with Hariri or Saniora during his visit to discuss the presidential deadlock.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq is also gearing up for a visit to Gulf countries to urge them to follow in Riyadh's footsteps.

He will first visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, An Nahar said.

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