RIYADH, March 20: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Saturday that the United States stood ready to help Arab countries move toward democracy but had no intention of imposing that system on them.

He said this after holding 'constructive and important' talks in Riyadh with the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on a number of key issues.

Briefing newsmen Mr Powell added that he had extensive talks with the Saudi leadership on problems of the Middle East as well as a strategy of democracy in the region. "We have an experience in this domain and we are capable of helping other countries to carry out reforms," he said. However, he clarified, "reforms should come from within these countries and it should never be imposed from abroad."

"We have spoken about reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the expected elections as well as about the legal systems and other issues," he said, adding that "the Kingdom and other countries in the region have to go on their own way and to determine the required speed and pace for carrying out the process of reforms, and nothing should be abruptly imposed on them from abroad."

Mr Powell said he was encouraged that the Cairo-based Arab League was discussing the possibility of adopting a resolution calling for political reform. He emphasized that he had been in touch with Arab leaders from many countries on what a reform resolution might contain.

Any such resolution "is not a matter of satisfying the United States but of satisfying the people of the Arab world," Mr Powell said.

Prince Saud said his country's conservative monarchy was undergoing a reform movement. "Our country needs reforms. They are needed for serving the people of this country," he said.

Mr Powell also briefed the Saudi leadership on the outcome of his visit to South Asia, where the issue of nuclear non-proliferation in the region and the thaw in the India-Pakistan relations was on top of the agenda.

On the Saudi-American relations, Mr Powell said: "Our relations are strong, and we do appreciate the significant role being played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in fighting terrorism." The two sides also reviewed bilateral relations.

On the issue of the ten persons detained in Saudi Arabia, Mr Powell said: "We have held talks in this respect with Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Faisal, and I have expressed our concern in this regard."

"I have no idea about the number, but I know that some of them have been released," he said. Mr Powell noted that he had also reviewed the issue of sabotage, and said "the Saudis may be busy with some legal and procedural matters toward these persons, and we have reviewed this issue."

On his part, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said: "Friends can discuss all matters, and as far as I know this matter concerns the kingdom.

"At a time when we face the menace of terrorism and work together for having a clear vision, we think that it is not the suitable time for carrying out such an act," he added.