The message was handed to the king by US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon during a meeting at his palace in Riyadh.

"King Abdullah and Donilon discussed a number of issues concerning the two countries," the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.

The meeting was attended by Prince Muqrin, chief of the intelligence, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, secretary-general of the National Security Council, and other senior officials including Saudi Ambassador to the US Adel Jubeir.