Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli war crimes against Palestinians

Saudi FM updates Shoura Council with kingdom's efforts to end Israeli violations

Palestinian ambassador in Riyadh lauds Saudi support to Palestinian people

Israeli ground troops withdraw from northern Gaza

Bush still aiming for '08 Mideast peace deal

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the consultations and meetings he held over the previous days with a number of leaders of states and their envoys on bilateral relations and latest developments at regional and international arenas, and on the talks which he held with Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and Palestine's Premier Dr. Salam Khalid Fayyadh.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin Amin Madani said the Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's unchanging positions towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the Kingdom's stance with all its capabilities in support of the Palestinian people against Israeli aggression, intimidation and mass destruction. The Cabinet held the world community responsible for Israel's actions, its continuing violations of international laws and committing all international illegal practices.

The Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom's commitment and continual work to uniting Arab ranks, consolidating the independence of Arab decision and defending the Arab identity against any regional or international interventions.

The Cabinet expressed its confidence that Arab leaders realize that the cohesion of the Arab world is the basis of relations of Arab states at regional and international arenas, and also realize that Arab public interest requires that bilateral relations of the Arab countries should support joint Arab action rather than being an obstacle on its track.

The Minister of Culture and Information added that the Cabinet commended the results of 106th session of the Ministerial Council of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Riyadh last Saturday.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly criticized the Israeli war crimes against innocent civilians in the Gaza strip.

It asserted it will continue supporting the Palestinian people and contributing in building every Palestinian house destroyed by Israel. The following is the statement made by an official source regarding this issue:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia observes with the utmost preoccupation the tragic situation in Gaza, where innocent children, women and elderly people are killed, and where houses are destroyed and where the Palestinians are terrorized with the Israeli military machine, amidst an inhumane siege and the intent to make the Palestinians starve.

The Kingdom vigorously condemns these despicable crimes, perpetrated in contravention with the international law and conventions, and in defiance of the international legality. These crimes belie the Israeli allegations regarding the search for peace.

While condemning the Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people, and the threats vowed by the Israeli officials to inflict a holocaust on Gaza Strip, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes that by resorting to such methods, Israel is emulating the Nazi war crimes. This is why the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appeals to the international community and the countries sponsoring peace and the International Quartet Committee to deploy their efforts to put an end to the massive killing and destruction of the lives, livelihood, and properties of the Palestinian people. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on all those concerned with the peace process in the Middle East to further endeavor for the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the region, a peace susceptible of ensuring secure live and dignity for the Palestinian people.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its resolve to continue its support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to obtain their freedom and legitimate national rights. It will pursue its relentless efforts to ensure the unity of the Palestinian front, in the battle for peace. The Kingdom will contribute to the reconstruction of every Palestinian house destroyed by this Neo-Nazism in Israel.

Presided over by its Chairman Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaid, the Shoura Council held its 76th session.

The session was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister. At the outset of the session, bin Homaid commended the attendance of Prince Saud to reply to questions to be raised by the Council's members on matters relating to the report of the Foreign Ministry for fiscal year 1425/1426H and 1426/1427H.

In his speech, Prince Saud briefed the Council on matters relating to the performance of the Foreign Ministry and shed light on the foreign policy pursued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on many issues and events at international and regional arenas particularly the situations in the Arab world, the Middle East and the Islamic world and on the role played by the ministry and the Kingdom's weight and position at the international and regional arenas.

Replying to a question on the Kingdom's employment of its strategic relations with a number of countries particularly the United States of America, Prince Saud said," Kingdom's relationship with the United States of America emanates from a parity level in dealing since the era of late King Abdulaziz. Observer can notice this, as emanating from the weight and position enjoyed by the Kingdom in various issues. Of course, the United States of America is a superpower and has a big influence. Focus through these strategic relations is on supporting the common interests between the two countries as well as issues of concern."

On the Arab situation and the forthcoming Arab summit, Prince Saud said that the Kingdom is fully keen on the stability of the Arab situation and distinction of relations gathering states and on continuous seeking through the Arab League to provide solutions and proposals aimed to achieve stability of Arab political and economic situations, to distance them from conflicts, to exert efforts for bringing Arab brothers together, to keep them away from disruption and to contribute to achieving the unity of Arab ranks. A future meeting of the Council of the Arab League is expected to discuss all matters relating to the convention of the Arab summit. The Kingdom considers this summit as cohesion of Arab ranks and unity.

Prince Saud briefed the Council on the great efforts undertaken by the Kingdom externally about issues and events witnessed by the Arab arena, particularly the Palestinian situation and the Israeli violations against the Palestinians and the efforts aiming to stop such violations, in addition to the situations in Lebanon and ways of its stability, Iraq and other Arab areas.

He pointed to the support provided by the Council for the Foreign Ministry to perform its works.

Meanwhile, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received here today former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel.

During the meeting, they discussed the current crisis in Lebanon. The audience was attended by Prince Miqrin bin Abdulaziz, chief of general intelligence, and a number of other princes.

Gemayel said that "Saudi Arabia has always been the main supporter to Lebanon, mainly under the rule of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

Gemayel said on Tuesday that an Arab initiative aimed at ending Lebanon's crisis is "highly obstructed," local Voice of Lebanon (VOL) radio reported.

"I do not personally encourage any meeting before things are clear," Gemayel said in an interview with VOL, referring to proposals for new meetings between the opposition and ruling coalition representatives in Cairo.

"We do not want to give the people unrealistic hopes," said Gemayel who is in Saudi Arabia on a visit, adding that he would "gather all support from Lebanon's friends in order to stand against those violating the constitution."

In February, Gemayel attended meetings between opposition leader Gen. Michel Aoun and majority leader Saad Hariri in Beirut which were sponsored by Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa.

For his part, The Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jamal Abdul-Latif Al-Shubaki commended the Kingdom's position which condemned the Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip.

He described the Kingdom's position, which was expressed in a statement by an official source yesterday, as a firm and responsible stand towards deterring the Israeli occupation and neo-Nazi aggression against unarmed civilians in Gaza Strip.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ambassador said this firm position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the Palestinian people is appreciated by the Palestinian people and leadership.

In Cairo, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said following a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that the coming Arab summit will be held on time January 29-30, denying any possibility to hold an extraordinary meeting in Cairo before the Damascus summit.

In press statements, Moussa termed as "important" his lengthy meeting with President Mubarak, adding that the meeting tackled a host of important Arab issues.

Moussa said he had a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad on the issues to be addressed by the Arab summit.

Intensive Arab contacts are underway due to the current difficult situation in the region, the Arab League chief said.

The meeting took up the developments on the Palestinian arena and the dangerous situation in the Gaza Strip, Moussa said.

The situation in the Gaza will be on the agenda to be addressed by the Arab foreign ministers during their meeting on Wednesday, he said.

Asked if there is any intention to introduce changes to the Arab initiative, Moussa denied any amendments to the initiative, adding that the three-point initiative was meant to solve the Lebanese presidential impasse. On the USS role in the Lebanese territorial waters, the pan-Arab body chief said the presence of the USS Cole at this timing raises many concerns and question marks.

With regard to the Palestinian-Palestinian clash, Moussa described the disagreement between the two rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas as "dangerous microbe", saying it led to the current crises.

National conciliation with no pre-condition is the solution for the inter-Palestinian clashes, Moussa said.

On the possibility of inviting Iranian President Ahmadinejad to attend the coming Arab summit, Moussa said the Iranian president had been previously invited to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, but no decision has been taken yet in this regard.

On the other hand, Kuwait denied reports of linking its attendance to the Arab summit in Damascus to inviting the Lebanese government to take part in it.

This came in statements made by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Sabah before heading to Cairo to attend the Arab foreign ministers meeting.

Hamas has declared the pullout of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip a "victory" Monday after five days of fighting that has claimed the highest number of victims since the six-day war of 1967, local media and the Israel Army confirmed. "The enemy has been defeated," a Hamas spokesman said in a broadcast on Israel Radio from Hamas radio.

An army spokesman said nearly all ground troops have withdrawn from the Palestinian territory but added that air raids will continue in reaction to missile attacks by militant Palestinians.

"If they continue to fire at us with rockets we will shoot back," said the military spokesman.

Five Palestinians were killed overnight Monday in air strikes, according to Israel Radio. At least 112 Palestinians have been killed in the Strip since Wednesday, including 26 children.

Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed since the latest round of fighting broke out five days ago, when Israel killed five Hamas militants it said were on their way to launch an attack, and militant groups responded by intensifying their rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel.

The intense escalation in fighting also led Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to declare a freeze on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which restarted in December after a seven-year hiatus.

Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert told his ministers Sunday that the Gaza fighting notwithstanding, Israel was "interested in continuing the diplomatic negotiations."

The European Union, the US and the United Nations Security Council have called on both parties to end the violence.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday condemned the new Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip and said Israel's practices in the strip are far more brutal than a Holocaust.

During a meeting at the Presidency HQ, Abbas said it is unbelievable that the Israeli reaction to rockets fired at it, "an action which we condemn", should be of such horrendous magnitude.

He expressed regret that Israel has come to use "Shoah", or Holocaust, a word that has been dead for over 60 years now.

The Israeli deputy defense minister, Matan Vilnai, had said Gazans were bringing upon themselves a greater Shoah, in clear reference to the Holocaust.

Abbas urged the world community to focus attention on the Gaza development and judge who is carrying out international acts of terror. Palestinian medical sources said that 32 people have been killed and 100 wounded so far in the latest Israeli onslaught that began at dawn Saturday.

He suspended peace talks with Israel following a spasm of violence in the Gaza Strip.

Under heavy domestic pressure and with protests across the West Bank, Abbas said the talks could not proceed during an Israeli offensive that has enraged Palestinians. He did not close the door on negotiations, having said frequently that he hopes the U.S.-backed talks will result in a comprehensive agreement by year's end. But he said resumption of the talks hinged on an end to Israel's "criminal war on the Palestinian people."

Israel gave no indication that it planned to halt its operations, even with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her way to the region this week and with international condemnation pouring in.

"With all due respect, nothing will prevent us from continuing operations to protect our citizens," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his cabinet. Defense Minister Ehud Barak suggested that Israeli operations would intensify, saying, "We will continue the activity with all our strength. And we need to prepare for escalation, because the big ground operation is real and tangible."

The attacks by Israeli ground troops, helicopters and tanks have been aimed at stopping Hamas from launching rockets into southern Israel. But the rocket strikes have continued -- 33 were recorded Sunday -- and so have Palestinian deaths.

Abbas accused Israel of hampering peace negotiations with the Palestinian side and urged it to end aggressions on the Palestinian people. At a joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Abbas said recent Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have led to impeding the peace negotiations.

President George W. Bush has not given up on securing a Middle East peace deal by year's end, the White House said Monday, as it called for an end to Hamas rocket attacks on Israel.

"We have a clear message: The Palestinian people have a choice to make," national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to the region.

"It's a choice between terrorism, or a choice between a political solution that leads to a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel," said Johndroe.

Rice's mission aims to revive flagging peace talks that were re-launched with great fanfare at a U.S.-sponsored conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in November, with an eye on sealing a peace deal by year's end - one month before Bush's term ends in January 2009.

Asked whether Bush had given up on that goal, Johndroe replied: "No, absolutely not. We're going to keep on pursuing it."

"It is in the best interest of the Palestinian people, it's in the best interest of the Israeli people, it's in the best interest of the people in the region and the whole wide world, so we've got to keep after it," he said.

One of Rice's top goals will be to woo Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table.

Abbas formally suspended all contacts with Israel Sunday in protest at the blitz on Gaza that has killed 116 Palestinians, including 22 children and dozens of militants, according to Gaza health ministry statistics.

"We obviously want these talks to resume as soon as possible. I think that's something that Secretary Rice will take up with President Abbas, as well as other leaders in the region," said Johndroe.

Rice's trip came after a fresh outbreak of violence between Israel and militants from the Palestinian group Hamas - which controls Gaza - has placed the teetering peace process in peril.

"The number one thing that has to happen is Hamas has got to stop targeting Israeli citizens with rockets. It must stop. The parties then need to get back to the negotiating table and have discussions," said Johndroe.