House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she raised theissue of
Pelosi, the first woman House speaker, said she had not discussed KingAbdullah's recent criticism of the U.S. occupation of Iraq,focusing instead on praise for the king's Mideast peace initiative, and effortsto quell conflicts in Somalia and Darfur.
She met with the king Wednesday and with several members of the ShuraCouncil, an unelected advisory assembly named by the king, on Thursday.
Asked if she had discussed the lack of women on the council, she toldreporters, "The issue has been brought up in our discussions with theSaudis on this trip."
Pelosi arrived in
Pelosi was met at the
Ihsan Abu-Holeiqa, a member of the council, said the meeting with Pelosi Thursdayincluded discussion of the new difficulties Saudis have in getting
"We told her there should be some movement on the visa issue because,while we understand the security needs, the situation is unacceptable,"said Abu-Holeiqa.
Al-Zamel also praised Pelosi's visit to
Pelosi was the highest-ranking American politician to visit
Pelosi's visit heightened tensions between the Bush administration andcongressional Democrats, who have stepped up their push for change in
But Democrats — and some Republicans — said the lack of dialogue had closeddoors to possible progress in resolving
"We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to
Assad has repeatedly said over the past year that
"He's ready to engage in negotiations for peace with