Saudi Arabia, Turkey 'one hand': Islam affairs minister

Saudi Minister for Islamic Affairs Saleh bin Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh on Tuesday lauded his country's "deep" relations with Turkey.

"Saudi Arabia and Turkey are one hand," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted al-Sheikh as saying.

"Anyone who tries to undermine this relationship will be disappointed," he added.

Al-Sheikh made the assertion one day after Ali Arbas, the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), concluded a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sheikh hailed Arbas's visit, which, he said, had "served to confirm the depth of Saudi-Turkish relations".

"The cooperation between us continues," he asserted. "We are one hand."

Arbas departed from Saudi Arabia on Monday evening after receiving a formal farewell at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.

Before leaving, Arbas thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz for the kingdom's efforts in accommodating visiting Muslim pilgrims.