MALAYSIAN KING TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin and Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah, will visit Saudi Arabia
from Sept 22 to 24.

The visit is at the invitation of Saudia Arabia's King Abdullah Abdul Aziz
Al-Saud to attend the official opening of King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud University of
Science and Technology (KAUST) in Jeddah on Sept 23.

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the majesties will be accompanied by
Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin and several senior
officials from National Palace, Prime Minister's Department and the Foreign
Ministry.

Several heads of states and governments, about 30 representatives from the
world's most prestigious universities, and 20 nobel laureates are also expected
to attend the ceremony.

During the visit, King and other heads of states are
scheduled to have an audience with King Abdullah, as well as to grace a gala
dinner which will be held after the KAUST's opening ceremony.


Their Majesties will also perform the Umrah and are scheduled to meet the
Malaysian community in Jeddah on the occasion of Hari Raya celebration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) statement also said that the
forthcoming visit to Saudia Arabia symbolizes the warm and close ties of
friendship that existed between Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh.

The visit will contribute to further enhancing the brotherly relationship
and understanding between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

-- BERNAMA