Japanese PM makes official visit to Saudi Arabia

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Saudi Arabia for talks with King Salman on Sunday as part of a tour of oil-producing Gulf Arab states aimed at promoting peace amid a spike in tensions between the US and Iran.

After arriving late Saturday evening in Riyadh, Abe was given a ceremonial welcome and hosted for lunch by King Salman Sunday afternoon.

Abe also met Sunday with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

Abe also went to the desert region of Al-Ula, which the kingdom is touting as a tourism destination, and met the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

This marks Abe's third visit to Saudi Arabia as prime minister.

Saudi Arabia is Japan's top supplier of crude oil, accounting for about 39% of Japan's overall crude imports.

Abe is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and Oman on Wednesday, before departing back to Tokyo.

Abe is travelling with a delegation that includes ministers responsible for boosting trade and business ties.