16-05-08 The US has agreed to cooperate in protecting Saudi Arabia's oil resources by helping the country develop nuclear energy.
"The US and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate in safeguarding the kingdom's energy resources by protecting key infrastructure, enhancing Saudi border security, and meeting Saudi Arabia's expanding energy needs in an environmentally responsible manner," a White House statement said.

The two countries are to sign a memorandum of understanding in the area of peaceful civil nuclear energy cooperation. The announcement came as Bush ended a three-day trip to Israel where he vowed to oppose Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Tehran says its programme is peaceful but Bush said it would be "unforgivable" if Iran were allowed to get the bomb.

The president headed to Saudi Arabia to renew his appeal to help tame record oil prices and shore up Arab support for his efforts to contain Iran's growing influence.
While Bush is likely to find common ground on Iran when he meets King Abdullah, the Saudi monarch is expected to rebuff for the second time this year the president's face-to-face call to get OPEC pumping more oil to world markets.