Iran envoy Larijani in Saudi for nuclear talks

RIYADH (Reuters) - Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks expected to cover Iran's nuclear energy programme, which is opposed by the West and Saudi Arabia, Iranian media said.

"Sources in Saudi Arabia said the aim of this visit is to exchange views over Iran's nuclear issue and the recent changes in the region," Iran's official IRNA news agency said.

"According to Saudi news sources, Larijani will also discuss the significant role of Iran and Saudi Arabia in resolving the Lebanese crisis as well as current developments in the Middle East region," it said.

Saudi sources said they were expecting his arrival.

The United States and its regional allies including Israel and Saudi Arabia suspect Iran's nuclear energy programme aims to develop weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Conservative U.S.-ally Saudi Arabia is worried that, exploiting the U.S. failure to pacify Iraq, Iran is expanding its influence in the Arab world and encouraging radical forces opposed to a perceived political order in the region.

Saudi Arabia has been developing contacts with Iran to try to help defuse sectarian tensions in Lebanon. Senior diplomat Prince Bandar bin Sultan visited Tehran, Moscow and Paris last month after clashes between supporters of the Western and Saudi-backed Lebanese government and Iranian-backed opposition.

Larijani was in Riyadh last month for talks with Saudi officials which also covered Iran's role in Iraq, where Sunni bastion Saudi Arabia blames Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias for sectarian killings of Sunni Iraqis.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Iran and Saudi Arabia wanted to take action to stop the sectarian strife getting further out of control.