Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani in Jeddah yesterday, discussing ties between the two countries and regional issues during a brief visit by the Emir.

The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General and Qatar’s Premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani.

During the meeting, they discussed overall situations and developments at Gulf, Arab, Islamic and international arenas. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of their enhancement in all fields for the interest of the two countries and their brotherly peoples were also reviewed.

Qatar’s QNA news agency said they discussed ways of developing “the brotherly ties” between their countries and “developments on the regional and world scenes.”

Abdullah hosted an iftar banquet — the fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — for the emir, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani.

The Qatari premier had himself made a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia in July.

The emir’s trip came some three months before Qatar is due to host the annual year-end summit of the pro-Western Gulf Cooperation Council grouping Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates alongside Qatar.

The heads of state gathering is expected to be held in early December.