Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif leaves for Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif today left for Riyadh to personally enquire about the health of Saudi King Abdullah who is ill.

Prime minister Sharif will "convey good wishes and prayers of the people and the government of Pakistan for His Majesty's early recuperation, good health and long life", the Foreign Office said here in a statement.

90-year-old Abdullah, who assumed the throne in 2005, has suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

Sharif will also hold talks with crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

"They will exchange views for further enhancing brotherly relations between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest, including economic relations, defence and security cooperation, increasing of manpower from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and regional and international issues," it said.

This will be third high-level contact between the two countries in less than a year that reflects the depth of fraternity and excellent cooperation existing between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.