Saudi king ends visit to Malaysia

King Abdullah Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia left Kuala Lumpur Wednesday, ending his three-day state visit to Malaysia.

During his trip, the first visit paid by a Saudi king to Malaysia since 1970, the Saudi king met with Malaysian Supreme Head Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on issues of mutual interest.

Badawi spoke highly of the king's visit to Malaysia before his private meeting with Abdullah at his official residence on Tuesday night, saying it marked the beginning of "a new era of intense cooperation" between the two countries.

The Malaysian prime minister also said that relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had been strong, and bilateral linkages involved not only leaders, but also ordinary people, especially businessmen.

He thanked the Saudi king for bringing to Malaysia a large entourage comprising ministers, officials and business people, saying he believed that the king's trip to the country has been able to establish friendship and networking that will pave the way for wider economic cooperation between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

The governments of the two countries Tuesday night signed two agreements -- one on science and cultural cooperation in the field of higher education, and the other on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion.

King Abdullah, who ascended the throne of the desert kingdom in August last year, arrived here on Monday.

Source: Xinhua