Saudi official: Arabs will normalize with Israel after creation of Palestinian state

Israel should withdraw from Arab territory and allow the creation of a Palestinian state before Arabs recognize it, a Saudi official said Monday, a day after Israel's prime minister invited Arab leaders to discuss their ideas for peace with him.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert specifically called on Saudi Arabia to take the lead - the first time Israel has made such a request of the Saudis, who maintain a state of war with Israel but are pushing for a peace deal. (AP)