TIMELINE: U.S.-Saudi relations since 9/11

(Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush will likely receive little more than a smile and handshake when he asks Saudi Arabia to help lower oil prices during a visit to Riyadh this week to commemorate 75 years of a relationship that has developed fissures since 9/11.

Here is a chronology of relations since Sept 11, 2001:

Sept 11, 2001 - Washington blames suicide attacks on U.S. cities on Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and identifies 15 of the 19 hijackers as Saudi nationals.

-- Oct 25 - United States seeks to play down reports it is unhappy with Saudi support for its war on terrorism.

April 25, 2002 - Bush and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah meet in Texas amid Saudi warnings that Bush must moderate U.S. support for Israel's conflict with the Palestinians or risk "grave consequences." Bush urges Israel to complete a withdrawal from Palestinian areas without further bloodshed.

-- Aug 6 - The U.S. scrambles to assure Saudi Arabia that its policy toward its Gulf ally has not changed after reports of a July briefing to a Pentagon advisory panel depicting Riyadh as an emerging enemy and backer of terrorism.

March 18, 2003 - Saudi Arabia vows it will take no part in a U.S.-led war on "brotherly Iraq".

-- March 26 - Prince Saud warns that Saudi Arabia's alliance with the U.S. may be damaged if the war against Iraq drags on or turns into a bloodbath for Iraqi civilians.

-- May 11 - Three suicide bombers attack a compound in the Saudi capital Riyadh killing at least 35 Americans and Saudis.