SAUDI ARABIA has welcomed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on an official visit, reaching out to yet another foe of the United States as the oil-rich kingdom engages in a flurry of diplomacy.

Mr Maduro arrived late Sunday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, where he was greeted by Saudi officials, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Later this week the Saudis are hosting an international conference on combating extremism in the capital, Riyadh, which will be co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.