President Bush 16 May Riyadh visit said U.S., Saudi to sign memorandum of understanding on “peaceful civil nuclear energy cooperation”; pressed for Arab support against Iran; again asked for increased oil production – Riyadh rejected beyond 300,000 barrel early May bump.

Under U.S. pressure, Riyadh insisted 23 Apr lack of embassy in Baghdad does not reflect lack of support, but insecurity. U.S. senators 24 Apr called on President Bush to halt $123m in arms sales to Saudi if oil production not increased.

King Abdullah refused to attend 29-30 March Arab League (AL) summit in Damascus because of Lebanon rift (see Syria). Details of plan to retrain imams, encourage tolerance, revealed 20 March; critics sceptical. U.S. VP Cheney met Abdullah 22 March in Riyadh; regional security issues, stabilisation of oil market discussed. Government said 3 March arrested 28 suspected of trying to regroup al-Qaeda wing.

Saudi FM warned Arab states may retract 2002 Arab peace initiative, which offered recognition of Israel for withdrawal from Arab lands, at end-March Arab League summit in Damascus unless Israel clearly accepts offer. King Abdullah may skip summit due to Saudi-Syrian rift over Lebanon.

Authorities announced further 28 arrests of suspects in plot to attack hajj attendees. Rockets, reportedly intended by some arrested late November for use against largest oil facility, still missing.

Authorities arrested 208 suspected militants accused of planning attacks, including on oil installation.

Riyadh “welcomed” U.S. plans for autumn regional peace meeting during 1 August joint visit of U.S. Sec. State Rice and Sec. Def. Gates. Calls for new Palestinian national unity government renewed, but little Saudi intent to facilitate. Riyadh announced plans to send team to examine re-opening Baghdad embassy. Statements followed July U.S. promise of $20bn arms to Gulf states. Riyadh and Damascus traded verbal blows over roles in region. Saudi mediation effort in Lebanon forlorn as ambassador departed for “holiday” amid reported security threats.

Saudi nationals’ involvement in Sunni militias in Iraq and Lebanon given increasing attention in U.S. media. U.S. ambassador to UN Zalmay Khalilzhad suggested Riyadh not doing enough to help in Iraq – and at times “undermining the effort to make progress”. U.S. preparing $20bn arms package deal for Gulf States including Saudi Arabia.

11 mostly middle-ranking clerics arrested 7 June for allegedly being “funders and inciters” of terrorist activity. Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (religious police) criticised in local media for 4 deaths under suspicious circumstances.

King Abdullah held Iraq talks with U.S. Vice- President Cheney in Riyadh 12 May. Riyadh earlier announced arrests of 172 al-Qaeda operatives in recent months.