Manila, May 6, SPA -- PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO SAID SATURDAY SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A FRUITFUL FOUR-DAY STATE VISITTO SAUDI ARABIA, WHICH SHE CONSIDERS A CLOSE ALLY. ARROYO WAS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE ON SUNDAY IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, THE GERMAN NEWS AGENCY "DPA" REPORTED TODAY. SHE CITED SATURDAY THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF SAUDI ARABIA IN THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HER GOVERNMENT AND MUSLIMS IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES. "THE FILIPINO PEOPLE VALUE AND APPRECIATE VERY MUCH SAUDI ARABIA’S ACTIVE SUPPORT OF OUR PEACE INITIATIVES AND THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY IN MINDANAO WHERE MANY OF OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS LIVE," SHESAID SHORTLY BEFORE LEAVING FOR MACAU EN ROUTE TO SAUDI ARABIA. "I CERTAINLY HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR RELATIONS AND I HOPE THAT MY VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR TIES, REINFORCE COMMITMENTS AS WELL AS OPEN NEW AVENUES FOR COOPERATION ANDENGAGEMENT," SHE SAID. "I PARTICULARLY ADMIRE THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH'S LEADERSHIP IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND I WISH TOASSURE HIM OF THE PHILIPPINES’ WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT," SHE ADDED. ARROYO WAS ALSO EXPECTED TO DISCUSS FUEL PRICES WITH KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDUL-AZIZ AL-SAUD, SINCE THE PHILIPPINES IMPORTS ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF ITS OIL NEEDS FROM THE KINGDOM. --SPA 1124 Local Time 0824 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/358684