"You have a great responsibility that is serving your religion and nation. You are the Kingdom's messengers of goodness in different countries," he told the envoys and heads of Saudi missions abroad during a reception at his palace on Tuesday night.

King Abdullah reminded the ambassadors that the embassies were established to serve Saudis. "I have heard that some embassies close their doors (on Saudis) and this should not have happened at all."

He said ambassadors and embassy officials should deal with Saudis and others politely. "You should respect them," the king said, adding that he had passed on his observations about Saudi embassies and missions to Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

On Wednesday, King Abdullah received Iraq's Vice President Tarek Ahmed Bakr Al-Hashmi and his accompanying delegation at his Janadriya ranch, and discussed issues of mutual concern.