Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia Friday after an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.
U.S. officials say Cheney will also encourage Saudi Arabia to increase formal ties with Iraq to counter Iran's growing regional influence.
Saudi Arabia and several other Arab states have yet to send ambassadors to Baghdad.
On Thursday in Afghanistan, Cheney met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The two officials urged NATO countries to step up their commitment to help Afghanistan fight extremists and recover from years of war.
Cheney said the United States and NATO need to maintain sufficient forces in Afghanistan to counter a resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida.
Mr. Karzai said NATO troops will be needed until Afghanistan is ready to protect itself.
Vice President Cheney is on a tour of the region, including stops in Oman, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey.
Source: By VOA News
