Saudi Arabia called on Monday for a central role to be given to the United Nations in Iraq to help end violence and bring stability to its northern neighbour.
But the kingdom, a key US ally, steered clear of criticising the American military's handling of last week's Sunni and Shia Muslim uprisings, in which hundreds of Iraqis and 52 US and allied troops were killed.
"The kingdom is concerned about the situation in Iraq and the continuing conflict in which many innocent civilians - men, women and children - have been killed," the cabinet said in a statement issued after a meeting chaired by King Fahd.
"The King stressed the importance of bringing security to Iraq and moving towards regaining sovereignty... so that it can become an active member of the global community," it added.
"This will only happen when the United Nations plays a pivotal role (in Iraq)." The statement was carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia, like many other Arab countries, opposed last year's US-led invasion of Iraq.
Western diplomats say the kingdom, which is battling a surge in militant violence linked to al Qaeda, is worried that civil strife on its borders could stir up more domestic unrest, with Iraq becoming a training ground for radicals.
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