RIYADH -- Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ali-Asghar Khaji met here Saturday with Secretary General of Saudi Arabia's Chambers of Commerce Trade and Industry Fahad ben Saleh al-Soltan.

The two official discussed expansion of ties between the two nations' trade and industrial sectors, including strengthening of Saudi Chambers of Trade and Industry with Iran's free trade zones (FTZs), IRNA reported.

The Saudi official pointed to his country's determination to expand relations with Iran and reiterated its readiness to identify Iran's capabilities and resources in trade and industrial fields as well as exchange of experts.

He also expressed readiness to visit Iran the near future, in response to an invitation by the secretary general of Iran's FTZs Organization.

The two nations are forging closer ties, and earlier in September, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said the brotherly relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia strengthen the many bonds between the two countries.

He alluded to his talks with President Mohammad Khatami and said Iran and Saudi Arabia are striving to expand bilateral ties.

He pointed to the importance of consultations among the leaders of the Muslim countries 'which could foster unity and cooperation among them'.

Khatami and Abdullah in a meeting in Jeddah in September stressed the need for strong unity and solidarity among the regional states to safeguard the peace and stability in the region under the currently sensitive circumstances.

The visit was Khatami's second to the kingdom since he took office in May 1997. The latest visit was viewed as 'important' in view of the U.S. threat of a military attack on Iraq and the deadlock in Middle East peace talks.