RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - President Bush, on his first visit to this oil-rich kingdom, delivered a major arms sale Monday to a key ally in a region where the U.S. casts neighboring Iran as a menace to stability.

Take pride, East Valley movie fans — when Hollywood needs a stand-in for the war-torn, sun-ravaged desert climes of the Middle East, it turns to us.

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - In a bold attack, Islamic militants threw explosives at the gate of the heavily guarded U.S. consulate in Jiddah on Monday, then forced their way into the building and held civilians at gunpoint, prompting a gunbattle.

Saudi Arabia has arrested 113 suspected al-Qaida members accused of planning attacks on oil facilities inside the kingdom, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

Take pride, East Valley movie fans — when Hollywood needs a stand-in for the war-torn, sun-ravaged desert climes of the Middle East, it turns to us.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The United States will close its missions in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for an undetermined period because of "credible" information that terrorists are about to carry out attacks, the U.S. Embassy said Friday.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The simultaneous strikes on three foreign compounds were carried out by 15 Saudis, the foreign minister said Wednesday, acknowledging gaps in security before the attacks that killed more than 25 people.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Secretary of State Colin Powell toured the twisted wreckage left by a terrorist bombing Tuesday, and President Bush promised those responsible for killing Americans "will be brought to justice."

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - An FBI team arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to help the Saudis investigate the suicide attacks that killed 34 people this week, including eight Americans.

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Facing strong U.S. pressure and global dismay over oil prices, Saudi Arabia said Sunday it will produce more crude this year if the market needs it. But the vague pledge fell far short of U.S. hopes for a specific increase and may do little to lower prices immediately.

July 21, 2004

Mayor Scott Smith is trekking to Saudi Arabia next month to meet government leaders in the hopes of bringing foreign investment to Mesa.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi security agents searched homes in the capital and surrounding deserts Saturday for the body of slain American hostage Paul M. Johnson Jr., while Saudi officials hailed as a victory their slaying of his executioner, the top al-Qaida figure in the kingdom.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- President Barack Obama began his latest bid to open a dialogue with the Muslim world on Wednesday by seeking the counsel of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said.

June 23, 2004

CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush prodded Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah on Monday to help curb skyrocketing oil prices, and the White House expressed hope that the kingdom's plans would ease U.S. gasoline prices that have shot above $2.20 a gallon.