The visit, which was not publicised, suggests movement toward Saudi Arabia joining a cooperation programme that NATO has extended to the Gulf region and which so far includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The delegation, led by Prince Torki Mohammed Saud al-Kabir, deputy at the Saudi foreign ministry, met with alliance chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the official said on condition of anonymity.

According to local press, Saudi Arabia will become a signatory to the so-called Istanbul Cooperation Initiative programme in the near future.

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