Saudi Arabia to seek Iraq clarification from Rice

RIYADH, Jan 13 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia, concerned over an eventual US withdrawal from Iraq, will seek clarification of Washington's new Iraq strategy when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits next week.

''We are waiting for explanations that will detail this strategy and we hope to hear them in the Secretary of State's visit,'' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a news conference with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema today.

''The unity and independence of Iraq are necessities, as well as creating peace, and it's clear that these have not been achieved yet. So there has to be a change in Iraq policy.'' Rice is expected in Riyadh in the middle of next week as part of a regional visit which follows US President George W Bush's announcement of a plan to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq, where sectarian violence threatens civil war.

Saudi Arabia, a leading Sunni country fearful of the influence of Shi'ite Iran in Iraq, is worried that Washington will pull out of Iraq prematurely to end an unpopular war. Iran-allied Shi'ites could dominate if the US leaves too soon, it fears.

Analysts say Saudi Arabia could give financial and other backing to some tribes among the Sunni minority to challenge Iran-allied Shi'ites in the event of a US withdrawal.

''We have no independent action in Iraq,'' Prince Saud said, calling for the dismantling of militias. ''We are encouraging neighbouring countries to take part in activities supporting the Iraqi government.'' US troops are battling Sunni insurgents, but Washington says it also wants Baghdad to dismantle Shi'ite militias.

REUTERS SSC VV1743