King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and US Vice President Dick Cheney held talks at the Monarch's Al-Janadriya farm on the outskirts of the capital, Friday. The talks focused on the latest developments in the region, especially the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq and Lebanon. They also touched on the spheres of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in the interest of the two friendly nations. King Abdullah decorated Dick Cheney with the green and gold King Abdul Aziz sash, the highest award for a vice president. “Mister vice president, we've been friends a long time,” the King said. “How was your trip?” the Monarch asked. “Very good,” said Cheney. The two also chatted about the previous stops on the vice president's nine-day Middle East swing – the surprise visits to Iraq and Afghanistan and the subsequent stay in Oman – before beginning a private meeting. Cheney will also visit Israel, the West Bank, and Turkey before returning to Washington. Present at the talks were Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister; Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Ali Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Adel Bin Ahmad Al-Jubair, the Kingdom's Ambassador to Washington. Ford Freakier, the US Ambassador to the Kingdom; David Edengton, Assistant to Vice President and Johan Hana Assistant Deputy Chief for National Security also attended the talks. Upon arrival, Cheney was given a traditional welcome by Prince Saud at Riyadh airport after his arrival from Oman. Saudi forces provided an honor guard. __
