RIYADH (Reuters) - A surprise call by King Abdullah this week for an interfaith dialogue fits with Saudi Arabia’s policy of promoting moderation to combat militancy but will probably not lead to dramatic meetings soon, observers say.

The octogenarian king said in a speech this week that he would hold meetings with Muslims around the world to build a consensus for a new dialogue with Christians and Jews, after winning approval for the idea from some Saudi clerics.

Saudi newspaper commentaries suggested the king’s motives were addressing militant violence inside Muslim countries and tension between Muslims and the authorities in Europe. ”

The dialogue could clear up some facts about our religion, far from the distortions that extremists and fanatics have caused,” wrote Saudi daily newspaper al-Jazirah, referring to militant violence in Saudi Arabia and the region. ”

All Islamic societies should become involved in this great religious act whose intent is to create communication between the believers of the three monotheistic religions,” it said.

Saudi Arabia has faced a violent campaign since 2003 by al Qaeda militants who question the royal family’s legitimacy because of their close alliance with the United States and has watched with alarm as militant activity in the region continues.

But commentators said they found it hard to imagine a major interfaith summit featuring senior figures held in Saudi Arabia, at least anytime in the near future.

They cited the nature of Islam as promoted in Saudi Arabia, where some clerics once openly supported al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Mecca and Medina are barred to non-Muslims and the Vatican has complained that Christians cannot build churches.
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