The Saudi crown prince was urged by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to act kindly and release the Pakistanis detained in the riots incident back in April.

The world's top exporter has also kept November crude prices for Asia largely unchanged against expectations of higher prices as it seeks to maintain market share in the region.

Pole dancing as a form of exercise has been tainted by its association with the seedy strip clubs and burlesque houses often depicted in Hollywood films.

The move effectively formalises power already wielded by Prince Mohammed, who has been the kingdom's de facto ruler for several years, analysts said.

Several of Saudi Arabia's neighbours have traditionally embraced mediation roles in pursuit of diplomatic clout within and beyond the region.

In the clip, he held up a banner saying: "Umrah for the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among the righteous."

Some major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have flagged the possibility of introducing production cuts to balance the oil market.

Sheikh Saleh al Talib, the former Imam of Makkah's Grand Mosque, was given a 10-year prison term by a Saudi court.

Oil prices have dropped from a peak in June due to growing supplies as well as concerns over the deteriorating economic outlook.

The sentence comes amid a crackdown on rights activists in the oil-rich Gulf state, many of whom have been slapped with jail sentences and travel bans.

A Madina-based court awarded 8 and 10 years in prison to 6 Pakistanis for the disrespectful act of raising slogans in the holy mosque of Masjid-e-Nabvi.

Macron warmly greeted the ruler universally known as MBS ahead of a dinner, with the two men enjoying a warm handshake that they emphasised by using all four hands.