Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques discusses regional developments with King of Jordan

CP reviews with Ban Ki-Moon latest regional, int'l developments

Jeddah oil producers, consumers meeting reflects positive Saudi role at int'l level

Ministerial committee formed to study treating haphazard slums project in Saudi cities

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan held a session of talks at the Palace of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

During the talks, they reviewed overall developments at the Arab arena particularly the Palestinian cause and the situations in Lebanon and Iraq.

They also discussed the latest developments at Islamic and international arenas in addition to aspects of cooperation and ways of enhancing them between the two countries in all areas for the interest of the two brotherly countries and their peoples.

On the Saudi side, the session was attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Makkah Region and Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On the Jordanian side, it was attended by Prime Minister, Nader Al-Dahabi; Chief of Hashemite Royal Court Dr. Basim Awadallah; Advisor to the King for Tribes Affairs, Al-Sharif Fawaz bin Zabin; Foreign Minister, Dr. Salah Eddin Al-Bashir; Director General of General Intelligence, Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Dahabi; Director of Information and Communication Department Amjad Al-Adhaylh and Jordanian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qaftan Al-Majali.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at the Royal Court at Al-Salam Palace a number of princes and ministers, senior officials, a group of citizens and staff of the Court of Crown Prince who came to greet him on safe arrival in Jeddah.

The audience was attended by Prince Fahd bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz; Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz; Prince Dr. Misha'al bin Abdullah bin Musaed, Adviser to the Crown Prince; Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Adviser at the Court of Crown Prince; and Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Swailem, Vice-Chief of the Court of Crown Prince.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received Almalik family led by Former Acting Head of the Court of Grievances Sheikh Mansoor bin Hamad Almalik who thanked the king for his condolences on the death of the late former Secretary General of the Shoura Council Dr. Salih bin Abdullah Almalik

The audience was attended by a number of princes.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ilgizar Sabirov and the accompanying delegation.

During the audience, they exchanged cordial talks.

The audience was attended by Prince Dr. Misha'al bin Abdullah bin Musaed, Adviser to the Crown Prince; Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Homaid, President of the Shoura Council; Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Swailem, Deputy Chief of the Court of Crown Prince; Mohammed bin Salem Al-Marri, Special Secretary of the Crown Prince; and Uzbek Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Olgbaik Israelyov.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received Head of European Commission's Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador Bernard Savage on the occasion of the end of his term.

The audience was attended by Prince Dr. Misha'al bin Abdullah bin Musaed, Adviser to the Crown Prince; Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Swailem, Deputy Chief of the Court of Crown Prince; and Mohammed bin Salem Al-Marri, Special Secretary of the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the accompanying delegation.

The Crown Prince welcomed the UN Secretary General, wishing him a pleasant stay. The Crown Prince commended the efforts exerted by United Nations to achieve stability, peace and security in all parts of the world.

On his part, the UN Secretary General emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is among the first countries supporting the activities and programs of the United Nations.

During the audience, they discussed the latest developments at regional and international arenas, particularly the Palestinian cause, peace process in the region, the situations in Iraq and the efforts exerted by the United Nations to achieve peace in conflict and tension areas in the world.

The audience was attended by Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Swailem, Vice-Chief of the Court of Crown Prince; and Mohammed bin Salem Al-Marri, Special Secretary to the Crown Prince.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at his palace leader of Socialist Progressive Party of Lebanon and Member of House of Representatives Waleed Jumblatt accompanied by Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Al-Aridi.

During the audience, the current situations in Lebanon were reviewed.

The audience was attended by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of National Security Council and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdulaziz Mohieddin Khoja.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, received United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, the UN Secretary General thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing relief aid to afflicted areas in the world in cooperation with UN organizations and commissions through Saudi Relief Committees supervised by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz. He also appreciated the considerable efforts exerted by the Kingdom in the field of countering terrorism, drugs and money laundering.

Prince Naif expressed the Kingdom's keenness to provide all means contributing to security and safety of human beings all over the world as well as to provide aid and assistance to afflicted people in the world.

They also discussed issues of mutual interest in the field of security as well as cooperation between Saudi relief committees and UN affiliated organizations.

The meeting was attended by Adviser to the Interior Minister, Dr. Saed Al-Urabi Al-Harthy.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasized that the call of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for holding a meeting of energy ministers of oil producing and consuming countries in Jeddah will be positively reflected in the world and will help the United Nations to improve the Global Food Basket.

In a press conference held, he said, "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques believes that the current oil prices are unusually high and he is ready to do everything he can to restore prices to their appropriate level".

Ki-moon praised the initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the areas of peace, energy, climate change and dialogue among religions, emphasizing the importance of these fields. He added that they will have a clear impact on the world's peoples as well as their contribution to solving some of the challenges and circumstances faced by the international community in addition to supporting programs being set up by the United Nations to improve the Global Food Basket in some regions of the world.

He commended the Kingdom's support for the agreement reached in Somalia, expressing his hope to formally sign the agreement in Makkah in a time appropriate for everyone.

The United Nations Secretary General called on all Lebanese for implementation of Doha agreement, for self-restraint and for solving their problems to ensure that troubles will not be renewed again in Lebanon.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left Jeddah after a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He was seen off at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and a number of officials.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior patronized here evening the graduation ceremony of 1690 students of 6th Course Diploma of Security Sciences and 37th Qualification Course of University Graduates at King Fahd Security College.

Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Naif was received by Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs and a number of officials.

Prince Naif handed over certificates and prizes to elite students. The ceremony was attended by a number of officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session.

At the outset of the session, the king briefed the Cabinet on the talks, contacts, meetings and consultations made during the last days with some world leaders and international organizations and their envoys which focused on developments of events in the region and the world.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Motlab bin Abdullah Alnfaisah said in this context, the Cabinet commended the results of the visit of King Abdullah II bin Alhussein of Jordan and his meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which boosted bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and highlighted their joint efforts to push forward peace efforts and peaceful initiatives at the Arab and international levels.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of United Nations efforts to find solutions and defuse tensions in the region in particular and in the world in general. The Cabinet valued the visit of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the UN efforts to achieve international security and peace.

The Acting Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet welcomed the ceasefire in Somalia between the government and the opposition of Somalia's Liberation Alliance, hoping this agreement will be a serious step toward overcoming the various difficulties hindering reconciliation and completion of constructive dialogue to reach a permanent political settlement that establishes peace and stability in Somalia.

The Acting Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet appreciated the international welcome of the Cabinet's call to hold a meeting of energy ministers of oil producing and consuming countries. The cabinet also appreciated the speedy response and the desire to participate in the meeting which will be held in Jeddah 22 June 2008. The Cabinet emphasized that the holding of this meeting is based on the kingdom's positive role in various aspects of international relations and its concern for the international economy, the stability of the oil market and cooperation of producing and consuming countries in this regard.

On local affairs, the Cabinet immensely valued the great and sincere efforts exerted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to achieve more development, prosperity and welfare for the country and its citizens through the establishment and launching of economic projects including his patronage of laying the foundation stones of many investment projects in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh. These projects will be a quality addition to the national economy through preparing the infrastructure to attract investments, transfer technology through partnership with pioneering economic institutions in the homeland and the world and provide jobs opportunities for citizens.

The Acting Minister of Culture and Information noted that the Cabinet reviewed a number of topics on its agenda and issued the following decisions:

The Cabinet approved the Tourism Development Strategy for the Red Sea Zone.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs -or his deputy- to sign a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on enhancing cooperation in the field of infrastructure enhancement.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs -or his deputy- to sign the amended Charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference adopted at the 11th Islamic Summit Conference held in Dakar on 6-7/03/1429H.

The Cabinet approved the general training plan of Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Higher Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Universities and Research of the Republic of Italy, signed in Rome on 06/11/2007.

The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement in the field of higher education and scientific research between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of France, signed in Riyadh on 13/01/2008.

The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Korea to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion regarding taxes on income and the attached Protocol signed in Riyadh on 24/03/2007.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance -or his deputy- to sign a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Senegal to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion regarding taxes on income.

Having reviewed what has been submitted by the Minister of Trade and Industry regarding the registration fees of individual companies and establishments in the commercial registry, the Cabinet approved a number of procedures including:

1- The registration fees of private companies and establishments in the commercial registry shall be annually levied as follows:

SR 1600 for any stock or limited partnership companies.

SR 1200 for any limited liability companies.

SR 800 for any other companies.

SR 200 for any private establishments.

2- The annual fee for each affiliate of such private companies or establishments shall be half of the annual fees, as stated in paragraph (1) above.

3- The private companies and establishments may pay registration fees in the commercial registry in advance for more than one year up to a maximum of five years.

4- A fee of SR 100 shall be levied on any request to amend data previously recorded, extract data from the registry or obtain a certificate of no registration.

The Cabinet reviewed the follow-up report submitted by the Ministry of Economy and Planning on the work progress in implementing the projects of the Ministry of Higher Education financed by the surplus of budget income for the fiscal years 1425/1426H and 1426/1427H. The number of projects is 33 spanning the whole Kingdom. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed to expedite the implementation of these projects.

The Cabinet approved a number of appointments as follows:

1- Abdulaziz bin Suleiman bin Ali Al-Ali as Assistant Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives.

2- Saleh bin Abdullah bin Ali Al-Omari as Director General of the Office of the Cabinet's Secretary at the Secretariat General of the Cabinet.

3- Khalid bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Yosef as Director General of the Office of the Minister of State at the Secretariat General of the Cabinet.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has emphasized that the cause of Islamic solidarity comes at the top of its priorities as it occupies a major place of the efforts of its leaders, stressing that the Palestinian cause is the most important of those issues, particularly the suffering of the Palestinian people due to Israel's aggressive policies and collective punishment against the Palestinian people.

The Kingdom stated what is being done by Israel has been in violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and resolutions of the United Nations.

This came during a speech delivered by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani in 35th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Islamic Conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The Kingdom also expressed its aspiration for achieving reconciliation and harmony among all segments of the Palestinian people, for not giving Israel justification for the continued aggression, for continuing work on ending the Israeli occupation, for the announcement of setting up the Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital in the framework of the comprehensive, permanent and fair solution for the issue of the Middle East.

It also noted that Makkah extraordinary summit, and what it raised of visions and ideas achieved since it was held in 2005 are important achievements to enhance joint Islamic action, indicating in this context the endorsement of the new charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference in 11th Islamic Summit held recently in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

The Kingdom affirmed that the Islamic world with its weight at the international arena can and is requested to bear its humanitarian and civilized responsibility in moving as one group and as an Islamic nation with a divine message to disseminate the values of justice and equality and participation in achieving security, stability and peace in the world.

The Kingdom reminded that the humanitarian community is suffering today more than ever of religious extremism, ideological fanaticism, racial discrimination, the pursuit of a policy of arrogance and hegemony, pushing towards a clash of civilizations and cultures, and non-existent of the principles of dialogue, understanding and tolerance.

The Kingdom considered that this critical situation in human relations prompted the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who senses his Islamic responsibilities as a leader of the Country of the Two Holy Mosques and his humanitarian universal feeling to declare condemnation of the idea of the clash of civilizations and to call for its replacement by the principle of peaceful coexistence among nations and to adopt a dialogue between cultures in which each party respects the other and its sanctities, traditions and identity.

The Kingdom said that in embodiment of this humanitarian universal vision, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud paid his historical visit to the Vatican last November 2007 confirming that Islam is a universal message for all races and peoples.

After that, the King announced in Riyadh last February 2008 his historical initiative for a dialogue of religions and has received widespread support nationally and globally.

It explained that in order to activate this humanitarian initiative, the Muslim World League hosted in Makkah the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue aimed to emphasize that dialogue is an Islamic approach.

The Kingdom also praised the efforts that led to the election of General Michel Suleiman as President of the Republic of Lebanon, which was the result of persistent efforts made by the League Arab and the brotherly State of Qatar for the success of the reconciliation meeting held between Lebanese factions in Doha, asking all Lebanese parties to support and protect the Lebanese state's institutions to perform their basic functions at this critical stage of Lebanon's history.

About the situation in Iraq, the Kingdom renewed its support for brotherly Iraq, the respect of its unity, sovereignty, independence, Arab and Islamic identity and non-interference in its internal affairs. It commended the efforts made by the Iraqi government in this regard, emphasizing at the same time the need to continue its efforts to put Iraq on the path that preserves its unity and sovereignty and achieves national reconciliation among all factions of the Iraqi people.

The Kingdom also stated that emanating from its international responsibility and in quest to do everything that achieves stability of the international economy, the Kingdom has invited the ministers of energy in the main oil producing and consuming countries to participate in the meeting of Jeddah Energy under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to address the international oil market and the current rise in oil prices and how the producing and consuming countries, relevant international organizations and major oil companies cooperate with this phenomenon as a global issue that may have negative effects on the global economy particularly the economies of developing nations.

It also pointed out that emanating from its keenness to provide an appropriate environment for many developing nations, the Kingdom is working seriously with the international community in seeking the appropriate mechanisms to deal with the phenomenon of rising food prices and their negative impact on all world countries in general and on developing countries in particular. In this regard, the Kingdom made a greatest contribution to supporting the World Food Program to alleviate the effects of food prices.

Uganda organized here in coordination with Organization of Islamic Conference a ceremony of signing the new charter of the Organization on the sidelines of meetings of 35th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Islamic Conference.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was invited as a first signatory to this charter in recognition of its efforts to putting the new charter. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani signed the charter as representative of the Kingdom.

Also, the charter was signed by many member countries of the Organization.

The signing ceremony was coincided with the order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to provide Muslims in Uganda with 3,000 copies of the different versions of the Holy Quran in addition to quantities of carpets to mosques of Ugandan capital, Kampala.

Presided over Ameen Basyouni, the Arab Media Standing Committee, an affiliate of the Arab Ministers Council, concluded its 82nd session and issued recommendations on the agenda of the Arab Information Ministers Council scheduled for Cairo.

Dr Abdullah Al-Jasser, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information for Information Affairs, headed the Saudi delegation to the meeting.

In a statement following the meeting, Dr. Al-Jasser said the Committee discussed a number of important issues including the media plan for the proposed Arab media activity abroad.

Important recommendations will be submitted to the next meeting, he said citing the recent media Convention of understanding between Arab League and China and a proposal on the mechanism to implement a document on organizing radio and TV broadcasting in the Arab region.

Saudi Arabia has proposed to host a specialized team from all Arab television stations operating in the Arab world to meet in Jeddah to explore their views on how to better carry out this document, Al-Jasser announced.

He added that it was also proposed to change the name of Broadcasting Union for Arab States to Arab Broadcasting Stations Union to include both government and private sector stations.