Saudi King lays foundation stone of King Saud University for Health Sciences

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz stresses importance of boosting security coordination among GCC countries

Prince Khalid bin Sultan patronizes "Sword of Peace 7" exercise

Arab ministers debate prosecution of Israeli officials accused of genocide

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at his ranch the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom Ford M. Fraker.

During the audience, the ambassador convoyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the greetings and appreciation of U.S President George W. Bush. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings and appreciation to U.S President.

On the other hand, the monarch received the Saudi Ambassador-designate to Brazil Mohammed Ameen Kurdi. King Abdullah sent his greetings and appreciation to the President of Brazil and wished the ambassador success in his mission.

On his part, Ambassador Kurdi expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the royal trust accorded to him by the monarch.

The audience was attended by Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; other princes, Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir; and senior officials.

Following that, all attendees had lunch with the King.

King Abdullah patronized also the finals of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Soccer Cup for Champions for the sports year 1428 H. held at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh tonight between Al-Ittihad and Al-Shabab.

Upon arrival at the venue, the monarch was received by Prince Mite'b bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, President of Youth Welfare; Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy President of Youth Welfare; other princes and senior officials.

Riyadh-based Al-Shabab won the trophy after beating his Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad 3-1.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz laid the foundation stone of King Saud University of Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Center for Medical Research and a number of vital specialized medical projects at the Health Affairs of the National Guard.

Upon arrival at the venue of the ceremony, the king was received by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, other princes and senior officials.

Prince General Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs, delivered a speech in which he highlighted the king's support for the National Guard and its projects.

Then, the king watched a presentation on the development of the Health Affairs at the National Guard.

Afterwards, the Executive President of Health Affairs at the National Guard and Director of King Saud University of Health Sciences at the National Guard Dr. Abdullah Alrabeea'ah delivered a speech in which he said King Saud University of Health Sciences at the National Guard will accommodate 17,000 students, and highlighted the progress of the Health Affairs at the National Guard.

Then a parade of 199 graduates, including 71 male students and 128 female students, marched before the monarch.

In written remarks, the King thanked Allah Almighty for his kind gifts for this nation, noting that knowledge is a great grace for mankind. He said the laying of foundation stone for King Saud University of Health Sciences and King Abdullah International Center for Medical Research are creative assets to this nation. He added that equipping human being in Saudi Arabia with science and knowledge is a priority for building the nation.

Such achievements will never take place without the help of Allah Almighty and the interest of the male and female university staff, doctors and technicians who contribute to the development of those two giant projects, the monarch wrote. He cited that a book without somebody reading it and benefiting from it is useless; also are a pen without a writer and a medical device without a doctor or technician.

The monarch then prayed to Allah Almighty to make those projects an ever-shining minaret of knowledge that benefits the citizen and the nation.

Accorded with the same warm hospitality and honor, then the King left the venue.

The event was attended by Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Bandar bin Mohammed bin Abdulrahman; Prince Mite'b bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Prince Abdul-Ilah bin Abdulaziz; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; other princes, ministers and senior civil and military officials.

GCC interior ministers concluded their ninth consultative meeting under the chairmanship of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Qatari minister of state for internal affairs and member of the Cabinet.

The Saudi delegation to the meeting was led by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, who made a statement in which he expressed thanks for the hospitality.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasir bin Khalifah Al Thani, Minister of State for Internal Affairs and Member of the Cabinet in Qatar, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the ministers in Qatar and reviewed issues on the agenda of the meeting including the comprehensive security strategy of the GCC countries.

Secretary General of the GCC Abdulrahman Ala'ateyah also delivered a speech in which he underlined security and stability in the GCC countries and highlighted the development of the comprehensive security strategy of the GCC countries.

The opening session was attended by members of the official Saudi delegation participating in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Naif offered condolences to the Kuwait emir, Crown Prince, Government and people over the depth of Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, who had dedicated his efforts in the service of his nation and the GCC.

Prince Naif underscored the importance of consultation of the GCC interior ministers on issues pertaining to the security and stability of their countries.

He expressed appreciation for the warm welcome given to the ministers by the Qatari government and people.

He noted that the consultative meeting is convened at a time when the Arab region is passing events and changes which will have a direct impact on the security.

Prince Naif pointed out that the security of any Arab country is an indivisible part of the security of the other Arab countries.

The developments in the region make it an essential matter to double efforts and continue coordination and security consultation among the security organs in the our dear countries in a manner that preserves the blessed security achievements earlier attained, he said.

Prince Naif said confrontation of any danger that might threaten the security of the GCC member states mainly depends on the coherence of the internal front.

Prince Naif added that the GCC citizens are aware of their important role as regards the security of their countries and the security of the entire international community because they are fully aware of the higher interests which all should work for their preservation.

Some of the citizens may go on the wrong direction due to wrong ideological trends or biased foreign influence, yet the majority of our nations are aware of the proper way and the achievements which should be preserved, he said adding that this is the way of thinking for the wise and sincere people who are loyal to their religion and community, and who are aware of facts and looking for the future.

We hope efforts of all security, educational, media and intellectual organs will continue to highlight the prevailing security and its importance as a base for stability and prosperity, he noted.

Prince Naif underscored the importance of the meeting and the consensus of the ministers to ensure the preservation of the achievements earlier attained, and to reach through the consultative meetings what may please Allah Almighty and meet the aspirations of the GCC leaders and citizens.

We pray to Allah Almighty to preserve our security and stability, and to enable us to thank him for the bounties he has bestowed on us', he added.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar received at the Emiri Court, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Interior and his counterparts in member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), who will hold their 9th consultative meeting starting its deliberations in the Qatari capital.

During the meeting, Prince Naif conveyed the greetings of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz to Emir of Qatar. On his part, Emir of Qatar asked him to convey his greetings to The King and the Crown Prince.

The reception was attended by Under Secretary of the Saudi Ministry of Interior Ahmed Al-Salim and Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Ahmed Ali Qahtani.

The Emir of Qatar hosted also a dinner party in honor of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Interior Minister.

Prince Naif arrived in Doha to lead the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Ninth consultative meeting of the Interior Ministers of member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The dinner party was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, a number of other princes and senior officials.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, patronized in the Northwestern region the conclusion of the exercise "Sword of Peace 7" with participation of all branches of the armed forces.

In a speech on the occasion, Prince Khalid bin Sultan pointed out that more than 115,000 personnel and officers and 6000 vehicles participated in the exercise which will improve year after year, he said.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan stated that the participation of Imam Mohammad bin Saud Mechanized Brigade of the National Guard in the exercise is the new element of this year's exercise.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan commended the Border Guards' participation in the exercise.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan also praised the Naval Forces' exercise which took place in Amloj.

At the end of the event, Prince Khalid bin Sultan left Tabuk airport and was seen off by Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Tabuk Region, and other officials.

In Cairo, the Council of Arab Justice Ministers called for the need for taking the necessary legal measures to prosecute the Israeli officials responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The call was made at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the council. The Saudi delegation to the meeting was led by Minister of Justice Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al Alsheikh.

The meeting was held at the request of Palestine under the chairmanship of Kuwait.

The Arab ministers discussed during their meeting war crimes and crimes against humanity along with genocides carried out by Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories.

They underlined the importance of adopting all legal measures to bring to justice Israeli officials responsible for these crimes.

The Arab ministers held talks on means of reacting to Israeli genocides targeting the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

An official source said the conferees discussed possible mechanisms to refer Israeli war criminals to the international tribunals for involvement in the mass murders of the Palestinians.

They also debated possibility to set up, in coordination with the international community, a special tribunal for prosecuting criminals who had been involved in massacres against the Palestinian civilians, the source added.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, in a statement addressed on his behalf to the conferees by his assistant, Ahmad Bin Hali, affirmed role of the Arab ministers in "exacting justice on the Israeli aggressors." He called for tracking down and prosecuting the Israeli militants whose hands have been stained with blood of the innocent.

Since being the Arab League's legal framework, the Arab Justice Ministers Council, which is well aware of international legal and judicial agreements, is required to draft a plan to make sure that the aggressor is being brought to justice, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said at the opening session of the extraordinary meeting of the Arab Justice Ministers Council.

Arab League Assistant Chief for Political Affairs Ambassador Ahmed bin Hilli read out Moussa's word.

The Arab League chief underlined the importance of documenting Israeli crimes against the Palestinians to use them as evidence to sue those responsible, noting that there is no statute of limitation on crimes against humanity.

"Today's meeting is of importance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Nakba (catastrophe) day that left millions of Palestinians displaced," Moussa said.

For six decades now, Israel is continuing killing Palestinians, confiscating lands, building more settlements, and changing the demographic composition of Palestinian territories, he said.

"Our meeting aims at discussing flagrant Israeli aggression on Palestinians that is carried while the entire international community is standing still," said Kuwaiti Justice Minister Gamal al-Ahmed, whose country is presiding over the Arab Justice Ministers Council session. "The justice ministers have to come up with effective resolutions to face Israeli indifference to the killing of innocent souls and its continuation of vicious crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," he said.

For his part, Minister of Justice Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al Alsheikh underlined Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's keenness to care for the Palestinian cause and always support the Palestinian people.

In a press statement after he led the Saudi delegation to the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Arab Justice Ministers concluded, he said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques issues directives to care for this cause and support the Palestinian people. He added that the king's directives made the role of the kingdom in this meeting and other meetings vital in adopting the causes of the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia urged the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly to pay greater attention to a long-term agricultural development to avert global food insecurity caused by desertification and droughts.

Saudi Agriculture Minister Dr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman Balghunaim delivered the speech of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development in its 16th session in New York.

He said that such long-term solutions would ultimately be more productive than supporting emergency situations alone.

"Despite the importance of supporting emergency situations (to fulfill food needs), the international community should place greater importance to long-term agriculture development through the support for international organizations," Balghunaim said.

Balghunaim referred to the work done by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).

Saudi Arabia recently donated $50 million to IFAD, a U.N. agency that assists developing countries with low-interest loans and grants to combat hunger and poverty.

Balghunaim said the geographic location of Saudi Arabia is why desertification is one of the country’s greatest challenges.

Desertification occurs when fertile soil deteriorates and when the productivity of harvest and farm animals is reduced. It is primarily caused by human activity and climate change.

Balghunaim said Saudi Arabia is working to combat desertification and sand movement through the 1977 U.N. convention to combat desertification. He described a specialized research center designed to tackle this problem, and research on water conservation via remote sensing, a technologically-advanced way to gather information.

"An institution was established to continuously receive and review images from various satellites covering the vast area of Saudi Arabia, in order to facilitate the study of sand movements and rates of sand dune encroachments, that threaten areas and lands that are inhabitable and capable of producing crops," Balghunaim told the General Assembly, adding that the institution is also addressing reforestation.

Balghunaim noted that Saudi Arabia is placing greater emphasis on rural development.

In Makkah, the General Secretariat of the Muslim World League (MWL) expressed hope that the International Islamic Dialogue Conference, which will be organized under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in Makkah on Moharram 26-28, 1429 AH, could realize its goals in boosting dialogue between Islam and different religions and civilizations in the world.

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin Al-Turki, the MWL Secretary General, asserted that the MWL aims to hold dialogue with other religions and cultures, agree with the call of King Abdullah to the nations of the world to resort to dialogue to realize human security; adding that the King is keen on peace and understanding so as to enable the people accomplish progress and prosperity.

Underlining the significance of the conference, Dr Al-Turki said the world is in need of dialogue on the joint human problems, co-existence and cooperation for confronting the challenges facing the mankind.

Dr Al-Turki lauded the keenness of the King on promotion of the human communities and enhancing the pillars of co-existence and cooperation among the people.

"Islam is an international message to all nations and races," he said.

He noted that the MWL which represents the Muslim nations and minorities in the world has prepared an international Islamic project including conferences and seminars to shed light on the Islamic civilization project with the aim of enhancing the pillars of cooperation, security, peace, and justice, as well as to urge the world to benefit from the principles of Islam in solving the problems of this contemporary life.

Al-Turki thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their attention and care for Muslim affairs.