Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Saudi King Abdullah that he "wished" the kingdom was not taking part in a US-hosted conference for peace in the Middle East, Iranian state media reported Monday.

"I wish the name of Saudi Arabia was not among those attending the Annapolis conference," Ahmadinejad was quoted as telling Abdullah in a telephone conversation late Sunday, according to the state-run IRNA agency.

Ahmadinejad warned that the Arab states need to remain vigilant for the plots and machinations of the Zionist enemy. "Arab countries should be watchful in the face of the plots and deception of the Zionist enemy," he was quotde as saying.

"The US government, which is an accomplice to Zionist crimes, cannot play the role of saviour by hosting the Annapolis conference," he continued. According to the media office of the Iranian leader, Ahmadinejad recalled the fact that Israelis have been constantly killing Palestinian women and children during the past 60 years and their ongoing atrocities are indicative of their insistence on committing crimes.

President Ahmadinejad said the US government which is an accomplice to the Zionist crimes cannot play the role of the savior by hosting the Annapolis conference.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states agreed on Friday to attend the conference.

© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)