Obama-Saudi king talks may ease friction but ** breakthrough seen

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* Obama's trip seen as countering impression of a rift * Exchange of views shores up mutual understanding, diplomats * ** concrete sign that the meeting solve differences By William Maclean and Angus McDowall DUBAI/RIYADH, March 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's leaders hope U.S. President Barack Obama and their King Abdullah understand each other better after talks and can stabilise a close regional security alliance after months of rockiness over Middle East policy, diplomats said. Friday's two-hour exchange at Abdullah's desert camp did **t yield a shared statement or any evidence of policy changes, leading some Saudis to question whether differences over Syria's war or Iran's nuclear programme were closer to being resolved. But diplomats said the mere fact Obama made the effort to visit and discuss issues "frankly" - in a U.S. official's words - with the king should reduce the margin for public spats and counter an impression that both sides value the alliance less. Obama visited the world's top oil-exporter and birthplace of Islam aiming to soothe Saudi fears that the United States was retreating from its commitment to the security of Middle East allies and allowing Riyadh's rival Iran more influence.

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