Rice, Gates meet with Saudi king

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. secretaries of defense and state arrived in Saudi Arabia late Tuesday riding the wave of a major new U.S. arms initiative for the region.

Robert Gates and Condoleezza Rice were dispatched to the region to meet with the leaders of moderate Arab states and urge their support for a united front against the influence of more-radical groups and nations.

The New York Times said the overtures were being greeted somewhat coolly by some leaders who see Iran, in particular, as less of a threat to regional stability than they are being made out to be.

Rice and Gates had dinner with King Abdullah Tuesday night. Rice meets with Israeli and Palestinian officials Wednesday before returning to Washington.