Italy's Meloni flies to Gulf region in energy security push

ROME, April 3 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, government sources said.

The sources said the visit would reaffirm Italy's support for the three nations in the face of Iranian attacks on their territories, and was also aimed at bolstering Italy's national energy security through closer engagement with Gulf producers.

It is the first trip to the region by a leader from the European Union since the conflict was launched by the United States and Israel at the end of February.

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Gavin Jones)