Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives phone call from Obama, message from Assad

Crown Prince Sultan receives phone call from Mubarak

Prince Abdulrahman resumes tour to congratulate armed forces on Eid al-Fitr

Saudi human rights commission: Citizens, expatriate residents are equal before all sharia laws, systems

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The message was handed to Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohyeaddin Khojah who received the Syrian Information Minister Dr. Mohsin Bilal.

King Abdullah also received in Jeddah on Tuesday a telephone call from President Barack Obama of the United States of America.

During the conversion, bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields, and the latest developments in the region and the world were discussed and reviewed.

The U.S. President also congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the opening of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), describing it as one of the edifices of knowledge in the world.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received a telephone call from President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

During the call, they exchanged congratulations on the Blessed Eid Al-Fitr.

Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General conveyed on Saturday evening the greetings and congratulations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who is the Supreme Commander of All Armed Forces, and the Crown Prince to the personnel of the Armed Forces Sharoorah on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. Upon arrival at the venue, he was received by a number of senior officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Abdulrahman underlined the great role played by the Armed Forces in defending the country.

The ceremony was attended by a number of princes.

Prince Abdulrahman also conveyed the greetings and congratulations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who is the Supreme Commander of All Armed Forces, and the Crown Prince to the personnel of Jazan Force on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

Upon arrival at the venue, he was received by a number of senior officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Abdulrahman underlined the country's adherence to Islam.

The ceremony was attended by a number of princes.

In Beirut, Lebanese Outgoing Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora received Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali bin Saeed Awadh Al-Asiri.

During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region in addition to ways of enhancing relations between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Lebanese Minister of Education Bahia Al-Hariri.

In Riyadh, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has highlighted the equality being enjoyed by citizens and residents before the courts in line with the teachings of the Islamic Sharia and the Basic Rule System as well as the regional and international conventions.

In a report issued by the HRC, it said the article 26 of the Basic Rule System reiterates the commitment of the Kingdom as regards protection of human rights.

Despite the fact that the Kingdom was a victim of terrorism, yet the measures it has taken to enhance the pillars of its internal security have not affected the human rights, said the commission.

The recent attempt on the life of Prince Mohammed bin Naif, the Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs, has demonstrated the existing harmony between the leadership and the people. The telephone call between Prince Mohammed bin Naif and the aggressor had projected the humanitarian feelings of Prince Mohammed towards the deviant group.

It showed that the Kingdom opens wide its door for all who want to repent and open a new page in their lives. Prince Mohammed has reiterated that this criminal incident will not make the Kingdom suspend its efforts in fighting terrorism.

In the report released on the occasion of the Kingdom's National Day, the Commission reviewed the Kingdom’s experience in fighting terrorism and deviant and extremist thought through adopting dialogue and awareness programs.

The report disclosed that the Kingdom has joined a number of international agreements concerned with fighting terrorism. In 2006, it organized an international conference on fighting terrorism, and called for establishing an international center for combating terrorism.

The Commission has drawn attention to the great care given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to the issue of human rights.

It noted that the first governmental authority pertaining to human rights was established in 1426 H.

This development has contributed to spreading the culture of human rights in several regions of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom's efforts in protecting human rights have been appreciated by several international concerned organizations, said the Commission.

The Commission lauded the role of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz as regards enhancing the pillars of justice and equality and protecting human rights in addition to the Kingdom’s role as regards bringing about peace in the Middle East and confronting international poverty problems.

The Commission pointed out to the appreciation of the regional and international organizations for the labor system approved by the Kingdom in 2005, which enables women to work in several fields and puts an end to so many violations by the employers to the rights of the employees.

The Commission hailed the efforts of the Kingdom to develop the judiciary system as well as the system of the municipal councils which aims at broadening the participation of the citizens in the management of the local affairs.

The Commission also noted the attention given by the Shoura (consultative) Council to the problems of human rights. It also hailed the attention of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to enable women to positively contribute to the political, economic and social development of the country.

It noted that a Saudi woman is now occupying the portfolio of Deputy Education Minister for girls in addition to the participation of some women in the management of chambers of commerce and several governmental and non-governmental sectors.

The Commission said the Kingdom is keen on joining regional and international agreements which are concerned with human rights provided that these agreements don't contravene with the Islamic Shariah.

For example the Kingdom has joined the declaration of Cairo 'Human rights in Islam', issued by the Islamic Foreign Ministers in 1990 as well as Cairo declaration for spreading culture of human rights in 2000 in addition to Riyadh declaration for human rights in 2003 and the Arab convention for human rights in 2004, and rights of children in Islam for 2005.

In the era of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, large sums were allocated for the Education Ministry and subsequently the Kingdom has witnessed a remarkable development in the educational sector, and the number of students has exceeded 5.99 million.

As regards Higher Education, the number of governmental universities has jumped to 25 in addition to tens of colleges and private universities.

Tens of thousands students have been sent on scholarships to the various parts of the world.

Opening of KAUST comes as a culmination for the big strides made by the Kingdom in the educational sector.

The Commission noted with admiration King Abdullah winning King Faisal international prize in recognition of his efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims throughout the world.

The King’s role as regards dialogue among followers of religions and to advocate tolerance, peace and cooperation were highly appreciated.

The world food program awarded King Abdullah the prize of the international Hero for fighting starvation in 2008.

King Abdullah ordered release of some prisoners of public right during the blessed month of Ramadan and also ordered to pay SR1.16 billion to the families included in the system of social insurance.

The King also ordered treatment of victims of Israeli aggression against Gaza, and several separation surgeries for Siamese twins from Arab, Muslim and friendly countries were conducted in Riyadh.

The King ordered sending a medical evacuation plane to Iraq for airlifting a number of injured Iraqis for their treatment at the Kingdom’s hospitals.

Meanwhile, the King called for establishing an energy fund for assisting the poor and developing countries.

The Kingdom has been extending support to UNRWA and to other UN development funds, and waived off debts of some developing countries.

The Commission has lauded the great achievements attained in the era of King Abdullah in several domains.