Saudis, Spain Agree On Major Defense Upgrade

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Spain and Saudi Arabia have agreed to significantly
enhance their defense cooperation.
Officials said the two countries would sign a defense accord during the
visit by Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. They said this would mark
Sultan's first foreign tour after he fell ill in April 2008.
"The royal visit will be a landmark one during which a major defense
cooperation agreement will be signed," Fernando Bielza, charge d'affaires at
the Spanish Embassy in Riyad, said.
Sultan was scheduled to fly to Madrid for a three-day trip on Thursday.
Officials said the crown prince, who is also the Saudi defense minister,
would meet Spain's King Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.