Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques discusses region's issues with Sudanese president, Moroccan king, British PM

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Water Prize Chair launched

President Bush hails Saudi king's interfaith dialogue initiative, UN to discuss it this month

Prince Salman receives Palestinian president in Riyadh

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held at his ranch talks with Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir.

During the talks, they discussed overall events and developments at regional and international arenas, particularly the current situation in the Sudan and aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and ways of their enhancement in all fields for the interests of the two countries and their peoples.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission; Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; the Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Yosef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen and Saudi Ambassador to the Sudan Mohammed Abbas Al-Kilabi.

On the Sudanese side, it was attended by Minister of Presidency lieutenant General Bakri Hassan Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Alor and a number of officials.

King Abdullah had received President Bashir and his accompanying delegation in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

At the outset of the reception, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the Sudanese President, wishing him and the accompanying delegation a good stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On his part, the Sudanese President expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the King for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.

Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques held a dinner party in honor of President Al-Bashir and the accompanying delegation.

The reception and the party were attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission; Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; a number of princes and senior Officials.

Visiting President Bashir and his accompanying delegation performed Umrah (minor Hajj) in Makkah. At the gate of the holy mosque, he was received by a number of officials.

President Bashir also paid a visit to the Prophet's mosque and greeted Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and his two companions (may God be pleased with them). At the gate of the mosque, Bashir was received by senior officials.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah received a telephone call from King Mohammed VI of Morocco. During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations binding the two countries and reviewed the current situations at the regional and international arenas.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening. At King Khaled International Airport, the British Prime Minister was received by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland; Minister of Transport Dr. Jubarah Al-Suraiseri; British ambassador to the Kingdom William Patey, and a representative of the royal protocol.

King Abdullah received at his palace British Prime Minister Brown and his accompanying delegation.

At the outset of the reception, the King welcomed the British Prime Minister, wishing him and the delegation a good stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On his part, the British Prime Minister expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the King for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.

He also conveyed to the King the greetings of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and her heir apparent.

In turn, the King sent his greetings to the British leadership.

Then the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques held a dinner party in honor of the British Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation.

The reception and party were attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission; Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; other princes; ministers and senior officials.

Brown also met in Riyadh on Sunday with Saudi businessmen.

Speaking on the occasion, Salih al-Turki, the chairman of the council of the Saudi chambers of commerce and industry, welcomed Brown and said his current visit to the Kingdom will provide a good opportunity to broaden the scope of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade and investment, adding that the United Kingdom constitutes a major partner of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Turki called for learning lessons from the current global financial crisis, and voiced satisfaction over the practical measures undertaken to tackle the problem of liquidity at the international banking system.

On his part, Brown welcomed the Saudi businessmen who are scheduled to visit Britain on Nov 9-15, 2008. He praised the Saudi banking system and said 'the fact that the Saudi banking system was not affected by the current global financial crisis provides clear evidence that it differs from the other systems'.

Brown reiterated the keenness of his country on developing trade and economic relations between the two countries notably in the field of import and export.

He drew the attention to the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and said it is steadily growing.

Brown urged the British businessmen to invest in Saudi Arabia benefiting from the development of its investment systems and its general investment environment.

'There are promising prospects for the British companies', he said. Brown called for exchange of expertise between the businessmen of the two countries.

As regards cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries, he said there are thousands of the Saudi youth who are studying at the British universities.

Meanwhile, Brown appraised the role of the Saudi-British business council in enhancing partnership and trade exchange between the two countries, and said such meetings provide an opportunity to establish trade and investment partnerships between the sectors of business in the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr Jubarah al-Sireisiri, the minister of transport, and Brown's accompanying delegation as well as British ambassador to the Kingdom William Patey.

Brown and the accompanying delegation visited King Saud University. Upon arrival at the University, he was received by Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom; the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Angari; Director of King Saud University Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman al-Othman and a number of the university officials.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. The Minister of Higher Education welcomed the British Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation, noting that this visit comes within the framework of a closer relationship between the two countries and in recognition of the world status of King Saud University.

On his part, the Director of King Saud University expressed his appreciation for the visit, indicating the international standing reached King Saud University and its advanced position recently achieved in the world rankings.

In his speech, the British Prime Minister said, "I got the honor of having dinner last night with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. I was pleased to know the size of support provided by the government for the University and researchers. I consider this university not as a local but a global university." He expressed his pleasure over the strong ties binding the University and British Universities.

The British Prime Minister attended the signing of an agreement of cooperation between King Saud University, represented by King Fahd Center for Heart Medicine and Cardiac Surgery, and Magdi Yacoub Institute and Imperial College, represented by Dr. Magdi Yacoub.

Saudi newspapers highlighted a number of topics including visits of diplomatic missions to Kingdom, U.S. Presidential election and Saudi-British ties.

The newspapers said the arrival of the diplomatic delegations in Riyadh from various parts of the world reflects the capability of the Kingdom to tackle the international changes and developments in line with a frank policy which aims at enhancing good relations with others.

The papers pointed out that the kingdom is keen on a stable world which is far away from extremism.

They noted that the call of the Kingdom for convening a conference on the inter-faith embodies its keenness on fighting and rejecting terrorism.

On the Saudi-British relations, the papers said they are deep-rooted relations noting that British premier Gordon Brown will review stances of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on issues pertaining to the peace process in the middle east in addition to the global financial crisis as well as the summit of 20 called by the US administration and other issues of mutual interest.

The papers said the current visit of the British Prime Minister will open a new horizon in the history of the Saudi-British relations.

Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, they discussed the latest situation in the Palestinian territories.

The meeting was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Dr. Saud Al-Mathami, State Minister member of the Cabinet Council for Al-Shoura Council Affairs and Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom Jamal Al-Shubaki.

Prince Salman also received German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting was attended by German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Volkmar Wenzel.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, inaugurated Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Water Prize Chair at the headquarters of King Saud University.

A speech ceremony was held on the occasion.

The supervisor of the chair Dr. Abdulmalik Al Alsheikh hailed the chair's financing by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and said the chair's activities will include research on storing rain and flood water.

Prince Khalid highlighted the support provided by the Saudi leaders for scientific research and underlined the importance of water preservation.

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah region, patronized on Sunday evening the fourth Saudi Forum on water and energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussein highlighted the achievements attained in the sectors of water and electricity during this year, and said the Ministry has been implementing a number of projects in various parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a total cost of more than SR 70 billion.

He noted that the ministry has been giving utmost attention to the issue of rationalization of water consumption.

Al-Hussein pointed out that the approval has been issued for the establishment of the National Water Company with a capital of SR 22 billion for the production, treatment and distribution of ground water in addition to the training of the national cadres and employment of the national workforce.

The minister said another approval has been issued for re-organizing The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC).

He noted that SWCC had implemented water desalination projects with a productive capacity that exceeded 1,066 million cubic meters in 1427-1428AH in addition to 21 million megawatts per hour of electricity.

On his part, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal underlined the importance of the Forum and said it will project the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of water and energy.

He said doors will be kept open for national and foreign capitals for investments in the sectors of water and energy.

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal noted that the ten-year plan for the development of Makkah region in the sectors of water and energy within the framework of a comprehensive and balanced development requires an effective participation of the governmental and non-governmental sectors as well as international partnerships.

He said the attendance of the researchers and specialists at the conference from various parts of the world is a successful step on the path of openness and exchange of international experiences in the field of water and energy production.

He added that the Forum will present the available investment opportunities for the Saudi and non-Saudi investors and will help in concluding partnership deals.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs received UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Terje-Roed Larsen. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, U.S. President George W. Bush has accepted Saudi King Abdullah's personal invitation to attend a November 13 UN inter-faith conference, the White House said Wednesday.

Bush "appreciates King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia's initiative in calling for this dialogue and remains committed to fostering interfaith harmony among all religions, both at home and abroad," said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

The New York meeting, which aims to promote dialogue among the world's monotheistic religions, will be a follow up to an inter-faith conference held in Madrid in July which was spurred by an initiative by King Abdullah.

"The United States affirms its support for individual religious freedom, the right to practice one's religion, the equality of all people regardless of their religious faith, and the other principles of religious freedom enshrined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Perino.

A US official, who declined to be identified, said Bush was going "at the personal invitation of the king," whose country does not permit the public practice of religions other than Islam.

The fourth and final session of the Fourth Forum of Strategic Vision Group entitled "Towards a New Vision for International Relationships" was held at Conference Palace.

The session was chaired by Dr. Sadaqah bin Yahia Fadel, Chief of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Shoura Council. The session witnessed speeches delivered by both of Sheikh Omar Idris Wouf, Chairman of Religious Administration in Yenji Novo Ghord city, Dr. Youssef Al-Hassan, Ambassador at Foreign Ministry of United Arab Emirates, and Dr. Deen Shams Uddin, Secretary General of Indonesian Scholars Council.

At the beginning of the session, Sheikh Omar Idris Wouf gave a speech in which he commended the initiative of Custodian of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud which emanated from the origin of revelation, Saudi Arabia. He also indicated that Islam is the religion of peace and love, praising the Russian experience with Islam.

Then, Secretary General of Indonesian Scholars Council in his speech clarified that the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will have a great effect on the shape of international relationships in the coming years. He stressed that the initiative is an invitation for the Islamic nation to unify with its different religious schools of jurisprudence and it reminds the Islamic nation of importance of unification and cooperation.

The other guests' speeches asserted that the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has the power to prevent civilization clashes and will dedicate humanitarian values in international relationships as it capitalizes on spiritual strength of religions and philosophies in conception of better options for the future and development of realistic solutions for human problems in this age of worries .

Participants in the fourth session of the Fourth Forum of Strategic Vision Group, Russia and the Islamic World, entitled "Initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Interfaith Dialogue:” Towards a New Vision for International Relationships", sent a cable of thanks and appreciation to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation, and Inspector General for hosting the events of the forum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .

They also thanked Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, for his patronage of the forum and for organization of the forum by Foreign Ministry.

In the forum's final statement, participants stressed the importance of religions and cultures in establishing the lofty humanitarian values and respected ethics.

The participants also urged on the importance of coexistence of the different peoples and cultures in peace, eliminating violence, fanaticism and terrorism and spreading of culture of leniency and mutual cooperation according to common values that are endorsed by religions, cultures and different civilizations and promoting common humanitarian values within societies.

The participants reiterated the importance of the initiative of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Interfaith Dialogue and its concept, dimensions and goals. They valued the constructive efforts exerted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques who called for the peaceful coexistence between different civilizations and the refusal of clashes between them and promotion of true dialogue in which each party respects the other, its sanctities, creeds, identity and maintaining them untouched.

On the other hand, Mohammad Ali Mohsen Al-Ahwal, Yemeni Ambassador to the Kingdom, highly weighted brotherly and noble attitude of King Abdullah towards leadership and people of Yemen who were faced by floods and torrents catastrophe which took place in some Yemeni provinces.

To mark the occasion of the generous donation given in the name of the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounting to US$100 million, in addition to dispatching quantities of foodstuffs and medical supplies for the people who were hurt by the catastrophe, Al-Ahwal also praised the flourishing bilateral relations between the two countries.

The third Saudi airlifted relief assistance arrived, carrying ten tons of foodstuffs and medical supplies as well as tents and quilts.

The delegate of the Ministry of Finance and the Saudi Relief program Obaid Al-Rashidi reiterated that Saudi Arabia led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is always in the lead in supporting and assisting those affected in all parts of the world and that the work of the Ministry of Finance delegate is to receive the relief consignment at Quetta Airport and hand it over to the authorities in Pakistan, which is turn, deliver it to the affected area.