Riyadh lauds ties with Damascus

DAMASCUS, Syria, March 8 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia welcomes deepening bilateral relations and further cooperation with the government in Damascus, the monarchy said through its Syrian channels.

Saudi King Abdallah relayed a verbal message to Syrian President Bashar Assad during the weekend expressing his gratitude for improved relations.

The message highlighted the "importance of continuing consultation and coordination between both countries' leaderships to enhance security and stability in the region," the official Syrian Arab News Network reports.

Syrian and Saudi Arabian relations were strained in the wake of a U.N. resolution calling for the disarming of Hezbollah in 2004. Ties were further complicated in 2005 following the Syrian-tinged assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an ally of the Saudi royal family.

Syria has sought to repair years of isolationist policies by moving closer to the region.

Abdallah in October made his first trip to Damascus since assuming power in 2005. The visit was credited with helping develop a unity government in Lebanon following June parliamentary elections.

Analysts said the October visit was a historic move for the region, with both countries holding considerable influence over a wide range of Arab affairs.

Assad last week said opening an Arab economic bloc would remove obstacles inhibiting regional investments.