British Prime Minister Tony Blair wrapped up his hours-long lightning visit to Saudi Arabia and left Riyadh Saturday evening.

During the visit, Blair held talks with Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom as King Fahd suffered a stroke a decade ago, on recent developments on the regional and international arenas including issues of Iraq and Palestine.

They also probed ways to promote bilateral cooperation in all domains.

Blair told reporters during the brief visit that efforts must be taken to reduce oil prices and the world's biggest exporter Saudi Arabia was doing what it could to rein in prices.

Oil prices were likely to be on the agenda of a summit meeting of the Group Eight (G8), which Britain takes over the rotating Group of Eight (G8) presidency, in Scotland next week.

"the Saudis are increasing production and doing what they can. What we've got to make sure is we do our best to try to reduce the prices to a more acceptable level, but it's being driven by high demand," Blair said.

The British premier flew into an air base here late Saturday and was greeted by Riyadh governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz.

The trip comes days before Blair, whose country takes over the rotating Group of Eight (G8) presidency, hosts a G8 summit on July 6-8 in Scotland. Oil prices were likely to be on the agenda of the summit.

Blair may also put aid to Africa at the top of the meeting agenda.

Last Month, British Finance Minister Gordon Brown had urged rich, oil-producing Gulf countries to join a global push to assist Africa to lift the continent out of poverty.

Blair visited Saudi Arabia in October 2001.

Source: Xinhua