U.S. Committed to Gulf Security, Burns Says in Saudi

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns affirmed Washington's commitment to security in the Gulf during a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a statement said.

Burns "reaffirmed to Saudi leaders the United States' firm and enduring commitment to Gulf security, including our commitment to countering the threat of Iran's nuclear program and Iran's destabilizing activities in the region," said the U.S. statement received by Agence France Presse.

"He discussed the United States' and Saudi Arabia's shared interest in ensuring security and stability across the Middle East," it added.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz said in comments published last month that terrorism remains a threat for the oil-rich kingdom and accused Iran of targeting it.

Iran's foreign ministry insisted later that "the security of Saudi Arabia and Iran are linked."

Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia rose sharply in March when Saudi troops intervened in Bahrain to help its ruling Sunni family suppress a month of Shiite-led protests.

During his two-day visit, Burns met Saudi King Abdullah.

He held talks on issues including a peaceful power transfer in Yemen, the need to support transitions in Egypt and Libya, and concerns about Syria's deadly protest crackdown, said the statement.

Burns, who also met Gulf Cooperation Council chief Abdul Latif al-Zayani, "reaffirmed the United States' commitment to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East."

His trip comes after a former Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Turki al-Faisal, on Monday warned the U.S. it ran the risk of becoming "toxic" in the Arab world if it opposed the Palestinians' statehood bid.

The Palestinians are preparing to submit a formal request to become the 194th member of the United Nations, despite U.S. and Israeli opposition, when the General Assembly begins its meetings on September 20.