ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has sought Pakistan’s assistance in its efforts to improve the kingdom’s ties with Iran, DawnNews quoted sources as saying.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal was meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday.

The two were discussing bilateral ties, challenges confronting the Muslim world as well as the situation in Afghanistan, Iran and Syria.

During the talks, Aziz said Iran and Saudi Arabia were two crucial states in the Muslim world and that Pakistan considered the kingdom a brotherly country.

Speaking to the premier's adviser, Faisal said Saudi Arabia accorded extraordinary significance to its ties with Pakistan.

Faisal is the highest ranking Saudi official to have visited Pakistan in years. His trip marks reinvigoration of the bilateral relationship that remained lukewarm during the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.

The Saudi foreign minister would also be meeting President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his two-day stay here.