GERMANY: Saudi King Abdullah visits Berlin landmark Brandenburg Gate amid heavy security

King Abdullah visited the landmark in the heart of the German capital amid heavy security on Thursday (November 8), a day before the 18th anniversary of German reunification. It was here at the border of East and West-Berlin where the Wall came down and with it the iron curtain. The 83-year-old monarch was driven the short distance between his hotel and the Brandenburg Gate in a bullet-proof stretch limousine, accompanied by Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit who pointed out the sights around Pariser Platz square, such as the embassies of France and the future United States embassy still under construction. Onlookers were kept at a distance and waited behind crash barriers for King Abdullah, who showed up with a 45 minute delay. Ahead of her second meeting with King Abudllah, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin on Thursday night that "the visit of the Saudi king here is a very important event for us." "He is a very important player in the region which should be marked by peace processes but sadly is marked by many conflicts," Merkel said. She praised the "excellent bilateral relations" with the oil-rich country and pointed out that "we can also discuss peace solutions, the situation in Pakistan and the situation of Iran's nuclear programme." "I am very happy that the Saudi king is honouring us with a visit," the chancellor said. Moments later when she accompanied the monarch through the hotel lobby where she was speaking, she encouraged onlookers to "applause a little" as the two leaders walked past.

ITN Source | November 9, 2007

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