Saudi Arabia denies offering political asylum to Taliban leader

British foreign secretary says Arab peace initiative 'our best hope'

Palestinian president condemns settlers' aggressions in WB

Barack rejects invading Gaza Strip idea

Commenting to reports in some world news agencies that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has offered political asylum to the leader of Taliban Movement, an Official source at the Saudi foreign ministry categorically denied the reports in statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he hopes 2009 will usher in changes around the globe that will bring about a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.

"I think 2009 is going to be a very important year," Miliband told reporters as he wrapped up a brief visit to Lebanon that included meetings with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

"It is the year of change globally because there is a new American president, there will be a new Israeli government, there will be elections in Lebanon and ... in Iran as well."

He urged countries in the region to work seriously toward peace through dialogue rather than violence.

"Instability in the Middle East has spread and will spread if it is not contained," he warned.

Miliband said he had discussed with Lebanese leaders legislative elections planned next spring and the importance of going through with these polls.

"The world will be watching to see all parties respect the democratic process and ensure that politics and not violence are the basis for the decisions about Lebanon's future," he said.

"So often in history Lebanon has been the victim of other people's conflicts and we will know that there is a true prospect of lasting peace in the Middle East when Lebanon is no longer the victim of other people's conflicts."

He said there was no reason for alarm among anti-Syrian parties in Lebanon over Britain's apparent rapprochement with Damascus.

"I don't think people should be concerned about dialogue when it is conducted on an honest and serious basis," he said. "What I say publicly about the choices that Syria and other countries face and the responsibilities that Syria and other countries have is what I say privately to President Assad and to other leaders."

Miliband said Britain made a distinction between the military and political wings of Hezbollah, which has one minister in the current government.

"It is right to draw that distinction and to emphasize that those who use violence for political ends cannot expect to have the support of the international community," he said.

Miliband met in Beirut with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, and majority leader Saad Hariri, during which Miliband praised the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon.

He expressed contentment to be visiting Beirut after Lebanese President Michel Suleiman was elected, and said that his country is looking forward to pushing peace efforts in the Middle East.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband left Beirut wrapping up a visit to Lebanon as part of a regional tour.

Miliband met with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Answering a question, at pre-departure press conference, on British government's accusations of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, he said that his country holds the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

As for the aim of his visit to the region, he said his visit is meant to support fighting terrorism that is jeopardizing the whole world at large and pushing forward the Middle East peace process.

The visit, he added, is also meant to give a push to relations between Lebanon and Syria.

Britain and Syria said that 2009 would be an important year to outline a comprehensive vision of peace in the Middle East region.

This came at a joint press conference between Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who had talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments in the region and the peace process.

Miliband said Syria is a very important country in the Middle East and has key responsibilities towards shoring up stability in the region.

He also voiced satisfaction with talks between the two sides over the past 18 months.

Syria has a great opportunity to achieve peace, security and stability in the region, Miliband said, adding Damascus took serious steps, particularly in Lebanon and Iraq, over the past 18 months.

At the joint press conference with the UK foreign secretary, the Syrian foreign minister welcomed Miliband's visit to Syria, the first by a senior British official since 2001.

Asked whether Syria's strong ties with Iran could affect Damascus' relations with the West, Muallem said "Geographically, Iran is a country in the region, and we believe that good ties with it would help in maintaining security and stability in the region."

"The West has good ties with Israel, we want to invest these relations in realizing a just and comprehensive peace in the region," Muallem said.

As for Syria's relations with Hamas and Hezbollah movements, Muallem said Hamas is part of the Palestinian people, adding the movement has a powerful majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council.

There is no difference between Syria's ties with Hamas and any other Palestinian faction, he added.

As for Hezbollah movement, he said "Hezbollah is a political party in Lebanon and has its own deputies in the parliament... our relationship with it is similar to that with Amal movement and any other political party in Lebanon."

Miliband also praised the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and neighboring Lebanon.

"Syria has the opportunity to play a constructive role in many aspects of peace in the region," Miliband said during a news conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

"There have been important constructive steps over the last 18 months ... in respect of relations with Lebanon but also some other" issues, he said.

Miliband said he and Assad had discussed efforts to forge peace in the Middle East and expressed to him Britain's satisfaction over Syria's establishment of ties with Lebanon and Iraq.

In October, Syria and Lebanon formally established diplomatic ties for the first time since they both became independent 60 years ago.

He also called on Syria to keep up the indirect peace talks with Israel that were launched under Turkish mediation in May. "We support the process and we wish good luck to those who are engaged in those discussions."

Muallem said Syria wanted "to take advantage of the good ties that the West has with Israel in order to achieve a global peace" in the Middle East.

On the Palestinian situation, Miliband, who visited Israel and the Palestinian territories before traveling to Damascus, said "Palestinian disunity and Hamas violence hurt the cause of Syria."

"The only route to a comprehensive peace is (through) politics," he added.

David Miliband said that Britain and Syria have established cooperation between their respective intelligence agencies.

Miliband said that the British government had been discussing intelligence cooperation with Damascus for the past 18 months.

"We will work with the Syrian government on counter-terrorism measures because terrorism threatens us both," he said, after emphasizing that establishing intelligence links between the two countries had not been the "main purpose" of his visit to Damascus.

He said that cooperation on counter-terrorism was one of several issues that he had discussed with his counterpart in Damascus. Others were Syria's role in Iraq, in the wider Middle East peace process, its human-rights record and its role in Lebanon.

His visit is part of a wider effort to bring Syria out of its current international isolation and encourage the tentative contacts established between Israel and Syria. Turkey has brokered four rounds of indirect peace talks between the two countries.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged Syria to continue efforts to reach a peace deal with Israel and accused the Syrian-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas of disrupting peace. "Syria has a big potential role to play in stability in the Middle East. It can be a force for stability or it can be a force for instability," Miliband said.

Syria and Israel have conducted four rounds of indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey since May 2008. A fifth round of talks was postponed due to the leadership crisis within Israel following the resignation of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"Violence and disunity among Palestinian factions harms peace that Syria seeks to obtain," Miliband added.

The West has criticized Syria for supporting terrorism and for its close links with Iran. Syria hosts exiled members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and supports the Lebanese Hezbollah party.

When asked about Syria's relations with Hamas and Hezbollah al-Muallem said "this issue cannot be tacked until peace is obtained, we cannot jump to conclusions when the land is under occupation," al-Muallem said.

The British foreign secretary also called on the US president-elect Barack Obama to become involved in the Middle East peace process immediately after taking office.

David Miliband, the British foreign minister, asked for Arab support in isolating Iran which he said was intent on destabilizing the Middle East by backing extremist groups.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates federation, Miliband also asked the Gulf states to do more to clamp down on smuggling of dual use equipment which the Iranian regime can use to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Miliband said: "I believe the most immediate challenge is the proliferation of nuclear materials and the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran."

"A nuclear-armed Iran would be a decisive blow against those seeking to promote pragmatic and peaceful solutions to the region’s problems," he said.

Miliband’s unannounced visit to the UAE follows that of Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, last month. Brown was canvassing support ahead of a meeting of the G20 group of wealthy countries at which Saudi Arabia represented the interests of the Gulf Cooperation Council states. The UAE and its neighbors have been asked to contribute additional funds to the International Monetary Fund.

Diplomats said the primary purpose of Miliband’s visit was political and diplomatic.

The greatest security issue in the region is that of international nuclear proliferation and a nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the entire region, cautioned H.E. David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"The Iranians have created fear in the region by pursuing a uranium enrichment program without having completed construction of their civilian reactors or given any verifiable assurances, particularly to the IAEA, of their peaceful intent. It remains the policy of the UK to make the Middle East a nuclear free zone."

A nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the entire region, Miliband told a conference on Nuclear Energy in the Gulf.

According to him, the UAE is a microcosm of peace and tolerance with a visionary outlook.

In his view, three major threats face the UAE: one economic, one political, and one security-related. The first is the global financial crisis. As a major exporter and an open economy, it is vital to the UAE that this crisis does not descend into protectionism.

"Open investment is extremely important at this time. The reputation of capitalism may have been damaged, but it still holds the key to a future in an environment of peace and stability. The basis for this is the G20 meeting that emphasized collective action and multilateralism, including not just the developed nations but also the emerging economies. It will also require the participation of sovereign wealth funds under the Santiago Initiative."

On the political front, he added, the Arab Peace Initiative should be the cornerstone for a solution to the Palestine conflict. All 23 countries in the region need to be involved in the realization of a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. This solution will provide Israel with a sense of security while giving the Palestinians a sense of justice and dignity, working toward ending the illegal settlements.

Finally, he said, the greatest security issue in the region is that of international nuclear proliferation. The Iranians have created fear in the region by pursuing a uranium enrichment program without having completed construction of their civilian reactors or given any verifiable assurances, particularly to the IAEA, of their peaceful intent. It remains the policy of the UK to make the Middle East a nuclear free zone. A nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the entire region.

"The UK has two Memoranda of Understanding with the UAE. The first has already been signed with the Masdar Initiative on alternative energy solutions. The second, with the UAE Foreign Ministry, to be signed shortly, deals with peaceful cooperation in the field of nuclear energy," he explained.

"The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the UAE in its endeavors and to strengthening the long-standing relationship between our two countries," he affirmed.

Addressing the conference, Dr. Hanz Blix, former Chairman of the Commission Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC), said twenty years ago, no one would have contemplated nuclear power in the oil-rich Middle East, especially after the disaster at Chernobyl.

"However, since then the nuclear industry has upgraded its safety standards in preparation for the day when the demand for nuclear power returns. That time is today. Several European countries that had frozen their nuclear industry are now developing new plants. In the United States no new reactors have been constructed since the accident at Three Mile Island. However, the US is also on the brink of developing new nuclear projects."

The development of nuclear power has camouflaged the development of nuclear weapons in some cases, although this has been halted in the cases of Libya and South Africa.

However, there are no such concerns regarding the development of nuclear energy in the oil-rich GCC. The energy consumption of the Gulf economies is putting a strain on their oil exports, as well as releasing a great deal of carbon into the atmosphere. Conservation will eliminate some of this.

"Alternatives - including battery power, fuel cell technology, etc. - are another answer, but such options are only viable in the mid-term future. Carbon sequestration is another, but it is nowhere near commercial readiness. Switching to cleaner fossil fuels and renewables is another short-term solution. The most efficient source of energy, however, is nuclear power."

"Nuclear fuel is energy-dense, easily transportable and in ready supply. The industry is mature and great improvements have been achieved in terms of efficiency and safety."

To combat sabotage, waste re-processing or enrichment to weapons-grade uranium, he stressed it is necessary to tighten regulations and oversight of all stages of the fuel cycle. This entails strengthening regional security.

"The isolation of states is not an effective solution. Rather, nations must be involved in international programs to minimize the risk of nuclear fuel being weaponized. A stable, peaceful environment is necessary when developing a nuclear program. Each state should declare its peaceful intent, follow the NPT in full, and allow full oversight of their program."

"The best result would be if the nuclear-armed powers were to lead by example and destroy their nuclear weapons stockpiles. The expense that is now devoted to armaments would be much better spent protecting the planet from global warming," he concluded.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad conferred with British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband on means of promoting security and stability in the Middle East.

The talks also tackled an array of regional and international issues.

Miliband stressed the need to build relations with Syria with special focus on the fragile conditions in the Middle East.

The visit marks a positive development in Damascus-London relations, with Syria seeking to open up to Europe.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon stressed his country's commitment to maintaining Lebanon's stability.

Addressing a joint press conference with Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora, Fillon underlined the importance of promoting dialogue between Lebanese political rivals.

He said France is committed to enhancing cooperation with Lebanon in all fields, especially the economic domain.

Fillon expressed relief at the progress in relations between Lebanon and Syria.

France is looking forward to opening embassies between Lebanon and Syria and moving to resolve the issues of border demarcation and detainees, he said.

The French premier said that Paris would provide 125 million euros to Beirut under the Paris donors conference resolutions.

Fillon said that he would visit the French troops in the UNIFIL to show France's commitment to implementing UN resolutions.

The French prime minister signaled optimism in regard to achieving progress in the Middle East peace process.

He said France is committed to establishing an international tribunal into the killing of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.

For his part, Siniora said that the French premier's visit signaled strong ties between France and Lebanon.

He said that Lebanon is committed to pursuing efforts to implement UN resolution 1701, continue the national dialogue and implement economic reforms.

Francois Fillon also went to South Lebanon to inspect the French contingent in the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the settlers' aggressions in the West Bank.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered his inaugural speech after being elected the second president of the declared state of Palestine by the Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

With the Central Council’s vote, Abbas assumed the third title previously held by the iconic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Abbas was already the chairman of the Palestinian Authority and of the PLO.

The PLO leadership declared the independent State of Palestine in 1988 during a popular uprising among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

Abbas pledged to establish a free and independent Palestinian state. He also discussed his deep feelings of responsibility and asserted that he will follow in the steps of his predecessor "the great Yasser Arafat."

"This is a vow I made for the soul of Yasser Arafat and Palestinian martyrs: That we go side by side until we raise the flag of the state of Palestine on the walls of Jerusalem and its minarets and churches," Abbas said.

For his part, Hamas' senior leader Mahmoud al-Zahar asserted President Mahmoud Abbas has no right for calling early elections or seeking another term in office.

Zahar rejected to abide by the resolutions of the Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Zahar's comments came after Abbas threatens to call presidential and legislative elections if he fails to make progress in reconciliation talks with Hamas this year.

If the dialogue with Hamas fails, early next year I will call for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections," he told members of his Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Abbas's presidential term expires on January 9.

President Hosni Mubarak called for proceeding on all tracks of reform and urged parliament members to take another stride of genuine and serious work to complete the constitutional and legislative foundation of the reform march.

Addressing the joint session of the People's Assembly and Shura Council marking the start of the new parliamentary round, the president said: "This march has brought us many gains, which have contributed to the development of our constitutional and legislative foundation. It has established our presidential system and enforced its principles."

"It set the principle of citizenship as a basis for equality in rights and duties, secured the freedom of religion, views, expression and media. It opened new doors to our partisan and political life and gave a new push to the movement of the society," he said.

The economic reforms have corrected many drawbacks, they rectified the economic structure, encouraged the private sector and improved the investment climate, President Mubarak said.

The reforms have placed Egypt's economy on the right path, put an end to years of stagnation and achieved a growth rate never witnessed over the past two decades, he said.

Parallel to economic reform, there was also social reform which was designed to support mainly the poor and the have-nots, he said.

The government continues to widen the social security network, improve wages and pensions and reorganize the priorities of social spending to get to the most needy and deprived people, the president said, adding: "We are working relentlessly on making the best use of our limited resources so that we can reach them better and faster."

The government has taken tangible steps that gave special attention to the social implications of development and reform, President Mubarak said. It stood by the side of the limited-income bracket with successive raises in subsidized commodities and petroleum materials, he said.

It has as well created more jobs by providing soft loans to small projects, supported farmers, expanded industrialized zones, boosted exports and the Upper Egypt development program, in addition to the national program for housing, health insurance and other public services, the president said.

President Hosni Mubarak said Egypt is going ahead with the implementation of its nuclear program which was announced last year to build a number of nuclear plants to generate power.

"Preserving Egypt's national security is my first responsibility," Mubarak said, thanking the Armed forces, policemen and all security bodies for their role in this regard.

As for the Mideast peace, Mubarak said achieving regional stability will remain a far-fetched goal as long as there is no just peace in the area. "The Palestinian issue will remain the key to solving all other conflicts in the region," he said.

"We say to Israel that occupation cannot last for ever," he said. The Palestinian brothers have also to unite and put aside their disputes and personal interests and pay more attention to the sufferings of their people, he said.

The Egyptian leader advised the Palestinian brothers to take their own decisions away from any regional or foreign pressure.

At the end of his address, Mubarak said "We all here whether majority or opposition are Egypt's sons who are seeking better future regardless of any difference in our opinions."

He all called on the people and parliamentary members to join hands and put the interests of the nation above the interest of politics and parties.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the Middle East peace process which has so far failed to yield results will continue after the two lame-duck leaders leave office.

The close allies spoke at the start of a farewell meeting before Bush leaves the White House on January 20 and as Olmert prepares to step down amid a corruption scandal after February 10 elections.

Although president-elect Barack Obama has vowed to continue to support the talks to end the 60-year conflict, the prospects of the process launched almost exactly a year ago at an international conference in Annapolis, Maryland remain shrouded in uncertainty.

"I believe that vision is alive and needs to be worked on," Bush said. "We strongly believe that Israel will benefit by having a Palestinian state, a democracy on her border that works for peace."

Olmert, on his part, said that the Annapolis process will continue because "a two-state solution is the only possible way to resolve the conflict in the Middle East."

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack announced that he opposes invading Gaza Strip.

He also criticized right-wing parties in Israel which demand him to invade the strip to free the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, asserting that such operation does not guarantee the release of the soldier.