An Iranian delegation has held talks in Saudi Arabia about the safety of pilgrims after a deadly stampede at last year's hajj, an official said on Friday.

Eighteen people have been killed during heavy rains and floods over the past week in Saudi Arabia, the civil defense agency said on Thursday.

In a statement, it said the toll covered much of the country, from Riyadh to Hail, Mecca, Medina, Al-Baha, Asir, Najran and Jazan.

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri held talks on Wednesday with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri, who stressed the need for dialogue among the rival Lebanese factions.

He said: “We are counting on inter-Lebanese dialogue to reach constructive solutions given the difficult regional and international situation.”

Saudi Arabia has stripped its frequently criticized religious police of their powers to arrest, urging them to act "kindly and gently" in enforcing Islamic rules.

Some Saudis called the move long overdue.

Saudi King Salman arrived in Turkey on Monday for a visit aimed at tightening increasingly close ties between the two overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim allies, receiving a lavish welcome that underlined the strength of relations.

The 80-year-old king was welcomed at Ankara airport by a delegation personally led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an unusual break from protocol and showing the importance Turkey attaches to the visit.

Saudi King Salman on Monday wrapped up a landmark five-day visit to Egypt marked by lavish praise and multi-billion-dollar investment deals, in a clear sign of support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's regime.

The 80-year-old monarch's visit came as Riyadh aims to shore up ties with Cairo as it engages in several conflicts in the Middle East and competes with Shiite Iran for regional supremacy.

Saudi King Salman called Sunday for a joint fight against "terrorism" in the Middle East at a time when Riyadh is engaged in several conflicts the region.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks on Friday with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri, the first between the two since the eruption of the diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Riyadh earlier this year, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

Asiri did not make a statement after the talks, but only described them as “excellent.”

Saudi King Salman on Friday announced plans to build a bridge over the Red Sea to Egypt, in a lavish show of support for the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The 80-year-old monarch is on a rare five-day trip to Egypt, a country that Riyadh views as a cornerstone to its ambitions in the changing region.

Saudi King Salman on Thursday started a five-day visit to Cairo in a show of support for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, with the leaders due to sign a raft of investment deals.