April 21, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES RECEIVES THE SECRETARY OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF IRAN AND A NUMBER OF CITIZENS. PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ PATRONIZES THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF UNICEF AND STRESSES THE KINGDOM'S CONTINUOUS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. PRINCE SALMAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ PATRONIZES THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY. PRINCE KHALID IBN SULTAN CONFIRMS THAT PROGRESS IS BEING ACHIEVED TO DEVELOP PRINCE SULTAN PRIZE FOR WATER. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh princes, ministers, senior officials and a group of citizens who came to greet him. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received a delegation of the people of Ras Tannourah Province, an affiliate of the Eastern Province, who lauded the development, prosperity and security witnessed by the Kingdom under its rational leadership. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques In a speech on behalf of the people of Ras Tannourah, Nassir Ibn Hussein Al Ansari confirmed that the people of Ras Tannourah fully support their government against the deviant group and whoever try to wedge differences among the Saudi community. On his part, King Abdullah thanked them for their dedication and loyalty. The audience was attended by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region, other princes and senior protocol officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh the Secretary of the Supreme Council of the National Security of Iran Dr. Ali Larijani and the accompanying delegation. During the audience, Dr. Ali conveyed greetings of Iranian leaders to King Abdullah who in turn sent his greetings to them. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and a number of other princes and officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Kingdom's Grand Mufti and Chairman of Senior Ulema Commission and Religious Research and Ifta department; Sheikh Salih Bin Mohammed Al-Lehaidan, Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council; Ulema and Sheikhs who came to greet him. The audience was attended by a number of princes and officials. On the other hand Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, patronized the launching ceremony of the annual report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) titled UNICEF humanitarian Action Report 2006 in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian people. The report highlights the great role Saudi Arabia is playing in alleviating the suffering of the needy all over the world. Prince Naif was received by senior organizing officials. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saed Al Orabi Al Harthi, Advisor to the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Saudi Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian People, said the money solicited through telethons to help those inflicted in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, East Asia and Pakistan over the last five years amounted to more than SR1.6 billion. The selection of the Kingdom as base to dedicate the UNICEF annual report 2006 is a recognition of the Kingdom's role in relief and humanitarian efforts, he said. Al Harthi said more than 64 programs and projects have considerably contributed to alleviating the sufferings of peoples in Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Pakistan. Within these programs, food, medicine, medical appliances and school tools were provided, medical centers built, homes rehabilitated, new residential units constructed, and water and power networks renovated. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, said Saudi authorities have released a lot of detainees who have pleaded and proved to be not guilty in terrorist operations. In remarks to reporters following his patronage of the launching ceremony of the annual report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Riyadh, Prince Naif said the Saudi authorities have released thousands who proved to be innocent. We are detaining only the convicted or the sentenced, he said, adding that the releasing process is in progress. In response to a question on denunciation statements against co-existence of the two sexes at an event at King Khalid Civilization Center, Prince Naif said the center committed a wrongdoing and "we don't hold others responsible when they criticize a wrong behaviour". Regarding the pursuit of new lists of deviant group, Prince Naif said the pursuit is continuing and that the authorities arrest at least one terror suspect on weekly bases. He said the state's security court, at which he hinted earlier, will be set up soon. He confirmed that non-Saudis were involved in Ab-Gaig foiled attempt to explode the oil facility. Prince Naif did not rule out the correctness of a statement by the second ranking leader of Yemen-based Al-Qaeda organization that he has received financial support and vehicles from individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "Unfortunately, there are some who has week belonging to their religion and nation and can do it", he said. He confirmed that contacts are under way between Saudi and Iraqi authorities pertaining to Saudi detainees in Iraq. Asked whether the sleeping cells of Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia were totally blown up, he said "we have wiped out most of them and the remainder will be destroyed". He declared that the conference of Arab Interior Ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries will be held in September. He denied the occurrence a phenomenon of children trade across the Saudi Yemeni border. He said the infiltrators are sent back to their country. On the agenda of the human rights delegation scheduled to visit the Kingdom, he said there are two human rights organizations in Saudi Arabia: a private body and governmental one and they are continuously in contact with the international organizations. UNICEF has chosen to honor Saudi Arabia for its generous donations to the children of the world by lunching its Humanitarian Action Report for year 2006 in Riyadh. The report was launched at the Inter-Continental Hotel. Rima Salah, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director and UN Assistant Secretary General flew into Riyadh Monday to launch the report during her three-day visit. UNICEF's Humanitarian Action Report 2006 includes a compilation of first-hand data and analysis on the urgent needs of humanitarian response in countries where risk of, or ongoing, emergency situations persist. The 2006 report calls for institutions, media, private, regional and international donors to expand cooperation to countries in the region by means of advocacy, donor liaison, monitoring and information gathering. Due to significant Saudi contributions as well as direct assistance delivered to many countries through a range of public and private mechanisms, UNICEF chose to launch their 2006 in Riyadh. During a press conference held in Dubai, Salah briefed journalists on the situation of children in war-torn, disaster-prone and hunger-ravaged countries around the world. She also highlighted the crucial role Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia played in the support of South Asia tsunami and the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. The launching of the report was attended by Saudi Ministers, deputy Ministers, health and hospital officials, government, non government and charitable organizations from around the Kingdom. On the other hand more than 4,500 students of King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh graduated at a convocation held on the university's premises on Sunday. Awarding the degrees was Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz who congratulated the graduates and wished them every success in their lives. Among the graduates, 18 received doctorates, 32 fellowships in medicine, 217 master's degrees, 3,882 bachelor's degrees and 368 diplomas. The convocation coincided with the university's 50th anniversary. Dr. Abdullah Al-Faisal, rector of KSU, thanked the governor for attending the convocation and providing support to the university. He said the university was honored to have Prince Faisal Ibn Salman, Chairman of Saudi Research & Marketing Group, to speak on behalf of its old graduates. In his speech, Prince Faisal commended the role played by the university in providing valuable education, direction and guidance to thousands of young Saudis and for developing their skills over the past five decades. "KSU is one of the most reputable and oldest universities in the region," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying. The SRMG chief recalled the days he spent at the university as a student and researcher. He underscored the efforts of those, especially King Saud and King Fahd, who were behind the establishment of the university and its development into an outstanding academic institution. King Saud opened the university on Nov. 6, 1957, when then Prince Fahd was education minister. It began with the College of Arts, which had only 21 students, 18 of whom were Saudis. The College of Science later occupied part of the building. Dr. Abdul Wahab Azam was the first rector. The university opened its doors to girls within four years. They were given admission to the College of Arts and the College of Administrative Science in 1961. A university supervisory committee, including a number of experts and prominent personalities form other Arabic countries was appointed in order to provide counsel. On the other hand Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, received here visiting Secretary of the Supreme Council of the National Security of Iran Dr. Ali Larijani. During the meeting, issues of common interest were discussed. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation And Inspector General For Military Affairs patronized Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Center of Specialist Clinics And Kidney Dialysis Unit At Riyadh-based armed forces hospital. Upon arrival at the venue, he was received by General Saleh Ibn Ali Al Mohaya, Chief of General Staff and a number of officials. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. Via a direct visual contact, the Prince also inaugurated the new building of family medicine and society service. Meantime Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation for Military Affairs, who is also Chairman of the Council of Prince Sultan International Water Prize, chaired the second meeting of the Prize's Council in its session for 2004 / 2006. Prince Khalid spoke of the achievements realized through setting up the prize during the period from 2002 / 2004 and its works during the period from 2004 / 2006. Prince Khalid praised the cooperation of King Saud university adding that recommendations have been taken into consideration to assess the work of the winners. From his side Dr Abdul Malek Al Al Sheikh Secretary General of the Prize said 67 scientists and researchers from 28 countries have been listed. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan said that the competitors and prize winners represent all nationalities and religions. Prince Khalid said that the world faces major problems of water scarcity, drought and water pollution. He stressed the importance of rationalizing water consumption worldwide. In the same context, Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, had called for finding effective solutions to the Middle East water problem and warned that water could trigger the region's next war. "The water problem in the Arab and Middle East region could cause the next war as it is more serious than border conflicts. So by solving water problems and managing water resources properly we can reduce that danger," Prince Khalid, who is chairman of the Prince Sultan International Prize for Water, told a press conference in Cairo after a meeting of the prize committee. The meeting endorsed the prize's amended regulations and decided to hold an international conference on water along with the award ceremony. Launched in October 2002, the prize acknowledges special scientific achievements in the provision, protection and preservation of adequate and sustainable water resources, particularly in arid regions. Prizes will be awarded in five categories: Surface water; ground water; alternative (non-traditional) water resources; water resources management; and protection of water resources. The winners will be announced in October 2006 and the award ceremony will be held in November 2006. The prize includes a cash award of SR500,000 for winners in each of the five branches apart from a gold medallion and a certificate. The Prize is intended to reward the efforts undertaken by innovative scholars and scientist as well as applied organizations in the realm of water resources worldwide. The Prize is established to acknowledge the special achievements that have contributed to the development of scientific solutions. The Prize aims to advance the researches dedicated to solve the problems associated with the provision as well as the preservation of adequate and sustainable water resources, particularly in arid regions. The following topics are covered this year 1)Surface water; topic: Water Harvesting. 2)Ground water; topic: Management of Coastal Aquifers. 3)Alternative (non-traditional) water resources; topic: Treatment and re-use of Waste Water. 4)Water resources Management; topic: Integrated and Sustainable Water Resources Management in Arid and Semi Arid Region. 5)Protection of water resources; topic: Ground Water Pollution by Urban Activities