RIYADH, Nov 20: President Pervez Musharraf and King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to increase exchange of information and sharing of intelligence to counter militancy and terrorism.

The two leaders also dwelt at length on bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The meeting, at the Royal Palace, broached the political crisis plaguing Pakistan, reliable sources said.

According to the AP news agency, one Saudi official told its correspondent that his government was trying to arrange a meeting between President Musharraf and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Analysts found intriguing the exclusion of Pakistan’s interim foreign minister from the entourage, citing it as an indicator that the “real purpose” of President Musharraf’s visit was “something unusual”.

They noted that the Saudi foreign minister has had “regular contacts” with Nawaz Sharif since the latter’s arrival in September.

Lt-Gen Nadeem Taj, the chief of the Inter Services Intelligence, accompanied the president to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, President Musharraf met the Saudi Crown Prince, who also holds the defence portfolio.