Saudi King Abdullah on Sunday congratulated moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani on his election as the new president of the Iran, the kingdom's Shiite rival across the Gulf.

"We are glad to congratulate you in the name of the people and government of Saudi Arabia... wishing prosperity to the people of the brotherly Islamic republic of Iran," King Abdullah told Rowhani in a letter carried by the official SPA news agency.

It said the king hailed Rowhani's views on regional cooperation and improving relations.