“Such historic and excellent ties have grown through the continuous and direct meetings between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and African leaders,” they said in a joint statement issued on the occasion.

A reception was hosted by the Embassy of Sudan on Tuesday and by Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Mohamad Ouf at his residence inside Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter on Monday afternoon.

They said that on a regional level relations between Africa and Saudi Arabia as well as other Arab countries have been exceptional and that they all have the same stance on the Middle East issue.

“Out of respect for the principles of international law, Africa has always been supporting the legitimate Palestinian rights and aspirations for freedom, independence, respect and security,” they said.

The envoys thanked King Abdullah for supporting developmental projects on the continent, saying that the support emanates from the Kingdom's firm belief and keenness to uphold the well being of Africa and its people.

They also took the opportunity to promote Africa as an investment destination for Saudi and other Arab investors. The diplomats also called for increased African-Arab cooperation, which draws support from King Abdullah's initiatives to encourage Saudi investments in agriculture abroad.

As to the situation in African flashpoints like Somalia, it said that an international force has been formed to help solve piracy off the coasts of Somalia.

“The Somali government, which has not been functioning for a long time, has been strengthened and the political system there is now  working,” said Kenyan Ambassador Abu Bakr Abdi Ogle.

Egyptian Ambassador Ouf added, “What's happening off the coast of Somalia is an international problem and an international force has been formed to guard its coasts against the pirates.”