RIYADH, Jan 12: Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Saturday received a message from President Pervez Musharraf and called for dialogue between India and Pakistan to defuse rising tensions, an embassy spokesman said.

The message was delivered by President Musharraf’s envoy, minister of communications and railways Javaid Ashraf, who arrived in Riyadh on Friday for talks with Saudi leaders on tensions with India.

Prince Abdullah voiced the kingdom’s backing for Pakistan, but also stressed that dialogue is necessary to defuse tensions between the neighbours, the spokesman said.

Ashraf, and other delegation member, Ejaz-ul-Haq are also expected to meet on Sunday with King Fahd and other Saudi officials, the spokesman added.—APP