Bush Meets With Saudi Officials on Mideast Crisis
By Paula Wolfson
VOA — White House

President Bush met privately at the White House Sunday with top Saudi diplomats as the search continues for a formula to end the bloodshed between Israeli and Lebanese-based Hezbollah militants. The meeting took place just hours before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to head to the region.

Voice of America (VOA), the US government’s international radio broadcasting channel, carries this report of the meeting between President Bush, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal, and head of the Saudi National Security Council, Pr. Bandar bin Sultan.

The Foreign Minister told VOA:

He said he gave President Bush a letter from Saudi King Abdullah calling for an immediate ceasefire. “We requested a ceasefire to allow for the cessation of hostilities that would allow for the building of the forces of Lebanon,” he said.

Saud said the primary concern is protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty, adding President Bush is well aware of the toll the conflict is taking on the Lebanese people. “I found the president very conscious of the destruction and the bloodshed the Lebanese are suffering and anxiety to see the cessation of hostilities,” he said.

But the Bush administration has said an immediate ceasefire will not work, and that only a long-term solution that disarms Hezbollah while strengthening the Lebanese government will ensure peace.

The Saudi Official refused to speak about the differences of approach to the matter, saying only that he did not want to say anything that would jeopardize Secretary Rice’s trip. He also sidestepped questions about reports the United States wants Saudi Arabia to use its leverage with Syrian to convince Damascus to rein in Hezbollah.

The VOA webpage gives links to audio files of this brief interview, in Real Media format.

The Washington Post carries its own, similar report.

The New York Times report has more information, particularly noting that the US and Saudi Arabia are clear in their understanding of the issues. It also reports that the Saudis believe Secretary of State Rice’s visit to the region—now underway—will help reduce Arab anger toward the US.