January 11, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 20, 1427

RIYADH, Jan 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to Saudi Arabia on February 11-12 for talks with King Abdullah on bilateral ties and Middle East issues, a Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.

Mr Putin, who will head a high-level delegation including his foreign and energy ministers, will also discuss with Mr Abdullah cooperation in combating international terrorism, the diplomat told AFP, requesting anonymity.

During the visit, the first-ever by a Russian president to Saudi Arabia, a series of economic and other cooperation agreements will be signed, including an accord to prevent dual taxation.

From Saudi Arabia, Mr Putin will go on to Qatar for a few hours and then visit Jordan, the diplomat said.

The diplomat did not say if the talks will cover Russia's offer to sell weapons for the first time to Saudi Arabia, a US ally that has traditionally opted for Western defence systems.

A Western diplomat told AFP in September that Saudi Arabia was in talks with Russia over the possible purchase of Russian T-95 main battle tanks and Mi-17 helicopters.

Mr Putin's visit will enable Riyadh and Moscow to ‘strengthen political coordination’ which began when King Abdullah, then crown prince, paid a landmark visit to Russia in September 2003, the Russian diplomat said.—AFP