Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam arrived unexpectedly in Riyadh today for talks with Saudi Arabian leaders expected to focus on Lebanon’s civil war and Saudi-sponsored reconciliation talks with Jordan, diplomatic sources said.
The state-run Saudi press agency SPA said Khaddam was greeted by second Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
Diplomatic sources said Khaddam, Syria’s chief power broker in Lebanon, was expected to brief Saudi leaders on Lebanese President Amin Gemayel’s reluctance to sign a Syrian-backed peace plan designed to end nearly 11 years of civil war.
Khaddam will also brief the Saudis on the outcome of reconciliation talks following a meeting last month between Syrian President Hafez Assad and King Hussein of Jordan.
