Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said today he would attend a conference to restart talks on ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Prince Saud al-Faisal made the announcement at a news conference which followed an Arab League meeting in Cairo.
Asked if Saudi Arabia would attend the Annapolis talks on a ministerial level, Prince Faisal said: "As long as there is an Arab consensus to attend, and at the ministerial level, then the kingdom will follow the attendance and the Arab consensus in this context."
Saudi Arabia and Israel have no diplomatic ties, but an Israeli government spokeswoman welcomed the participation of Prince Faisal.
Saudi participation in the November 27th US-sponsored conference in Annapolis, Maryland, could bolster the chances of success.
The influential Saudis add credibility to any future deal among Palestinians, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be able to say a deal holds out the prospect of wider peace with the Arab world.
Israel's long-time foe Syria is also on the 13-member Arab follow up committee, as are Lebanon and US allies Egypt and Jordan. But Syria has yet to confirm it will attend despite the Arab consensus.
Syria, which has been invited to the talks, said it will only take part if the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967, is on the agenda. The invitation called for comprehensive Middle East peace but did not mention the Golan Heights, diplomats said.