Prince denies secret Netanyahu visit to Saudi Arabia

The Israeli prime minister reportedly made an unprecedented clandestine visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening, local time, fuelling speculation that the Gulf state might be the next to normalise relations with Tel Aviv.

Israeli media and The Wall Street Journal reported that Benjamin Netanyahu met with

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.

If true, it is believed to be the first meeting between the two leaders, whose countries have historically hostile relations.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan alSaud, the Saudi foreign minister, yesterday denied reports that Netanyahu was in the meeting. But a senior Saudi adviser told

that he was present, with several issues, including normalisation of ties and Iran, discussed but no formal agreements reached.

Yossi Cohen, the head of Israeli spy agency Mossad, reportedly accompanied Netanyahu.