|
|
May 26, 2006 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to President Idriss Deby of Chad on the occasion of his re-election as Chad's President. In the cable, the King wished the Chadian President continuous health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Defense And Aviation Minister And Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to President Idriss Deby of Chad on the occasion of his re-election as Chad's president. In the cable, Crown Prince Sultan wished the Chadian President continuous health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Yamamah Palace Saudi ambassadors designate to a number of brotherly and friendly countries. The ambassadors are Abdul Aziz Ibn Hussein Al-Suweigh (Canada); Abdul Aziz Ibn Ibrahim Al-Fayiz (Kuwait); Shaie Ibn Ibrahim Al-Khushaiban (Senegal); Mansour Ibn Ibrahim Al-Mansour (Uzbekistan); Munir Ibn Ibrahim Bunjabi (Mexico); and Turki Ibn Naji Al-Ali (Myanmar). The Monarch sent his greetings to the leaders of the six countries, urging the ambassadors on enhancing relations between the Kingdom and these countries. The audience was attended by Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; and Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, Advisor to the King. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the republic of Cameroon Paul Biyaon on the occasion of his country's national day. In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Monarch wished the President continual good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, The Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to the president of the republic of Cameroon Paul Biyaon on the occasion of his country's national day. In his cable, Crown Prince Sultan wished the president continual good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih on the occasion of his country's national day. In his own name and on behalf of the government and people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Monarch wished the president continual good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. A similar cable of congratulations was sent to the Yemeni President on this occasion by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General received at Al-Yamamah Palace Saudi ambassadors designate to a number of brotherly and friendly countries. The ambassadors are Abdul Aziz Ibn Hussein Al-Suweigh (Canada); Abdul Aziz Ibn Ibrahim Al-Fayiz (Kuwait); Shaie Ibn Ibrahim Al-Khushaiban (Senegal); Mansour Ibn Ibrahim Al-Mansour (Uzbekistan); Munir Ibn Ibrahim Bunjabi (Mexico); and Turki Ibn Naji Al-Ali (Myanmar). The Crown Prince wished them all success in achieving their missions, urging the ambassadors on enhancing relations between the kingdom and these countries. The audience was attended by a number of officials at the Crown Prince's court. Under the auspices of Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, a ceremony for laying the foundation stone of Al-Faisal University will be held on May 30, 2006 at Al Diriya district. The University will include the colleges of sciences, technology, engineering and medicine. The Al-Faisal university aims at setting up a non-profit organization for higher education. Its council includes 11 members. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal chairman of King Faisal Charitable foundation has signed an agreement to set the university over two stages and the university will open its doors in September 2007. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior received Saudi ambassadors designate to a number of brotherly and friendly countries.The ambassadors are Isam Ibn Ibrahim bait Almal (Ethiopia); Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Eifan (South Korea); Fahd Ibn Ali Al-Dosari (Guinea) and Dr. Abdul Aziz Ibn Ibrahim Al-Fayiz (Kuwait). Prince Naif urged the ambassadors on enhancing relations between the Kingdom and these countries. Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region patronized the inauguration ceremony of 13th Technological Forum and the graduation of 23rd batch of diploma and 14th batch of B.Sc. organized by the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training at Riyadh-based Technological College. Upon arrival at the venue, Prince Salman was received by Dr. Ghazi Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Organization of Technical Education and Vocational Training and Dr. Ali Ibn Nasser Al-Ghufais, the Organization's Governor. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. In his speech, Prince Salman said that this ceremony comes within a series of successful efforts to provide business sector with trained human cadres demonstrating the government's interest in achieving the highest standard of progress based on sound planning and continual support for ambitious developmental programs. The Prince emphasized the importance of the private sector in employing Saudi qualified youth. Prince Salman also laid stress on the role of the private sector in investment in education and training. Then the Prince inaugurated an exhibition held on the fringes of the forum. The ceremony was attended by a number of princes and officials. The Republic of Yemen has lauded the distinguished positions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz towards his Yemeni brethren people. In a press statement issued in Sanaa, Yemen's Prime Minister Abdul Qader Bajammal expressed satisfaction over the remarks given by King Abdullah during his meeting with a delegation of the Arab Gulf Press Federation on the accession of Yemen to the Gulf Cooperation Council. The political leadership and government of Yemen do praise this distinguished position of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques who voiced their genuine right to the membership of the GCC. This position emanates from a farsighted vision to the course of the regional changes which necessitate a role for Yemen together with its brothers in the GCC to build a common future for the Arab peninsula, the statement said. Bajammal suggested that the king's remarks came to categorically confirm that the Yemeni unity is a booster of security, stability and economic integrity of the Arab peninsula and that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia well perceives the historical and strategic dimension of Yemen and its distinguished site in the Arab peninsula. He went on to say that Yemen is extremely proud of these statements that include a candid fraternal vision that proceeds towards forging close regional ties among the region's peoples. He said the timing of these remarks with Yemen's celebrations of its unification day this month makes them a special salute on the occasion. Moreover, they coincide with the current preparations for the visit of Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, to Yemen to lead the Saudi delegation to the meetings of the Saudi Yemeni Coordination Council which will be held in Al Mukalla, Yemen, end of this month. Bajammal said he is looking forward that the visit of the Crown Prince would establish a future vision for the Saudi Yemeni ties based on a common interest of enhancing the partnership between the two sisterly countries, opening a wide pace for development and investment sectors and marking serious steps for building the framework for an effective partnership on the ground and in practice. He said the remarks of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques have paved the way for the forthcoming deliberations and outcomes of the Saudi Yemeni Coordination Council to develop to the satisfaction and seriousness hoped for by all of us. Yemen's Prime Minister said his country is confident that Crown Prince Sultan is full of sincere and fraternal feelings towards the Yemeni people and the developing partnership between the two countries in all fields, reiterating his confidence that the visit would crystallize an important platform for plans and executive programs that would benefit both sides in the fields of economic, social, and political cooperation as Yemen is quite keen for its political, security and social ties with the brothers in the Kingdom as well as its regional extension embracing the GCC member states. Switzerland has formally protested to Israel about an incident in which a car carrying a Swiss diplomat was stopped at the entrance of the West Bank for more than 20 minutes for no apparent reasons by Israeli soldiers. The foreign Ministry said a letter had been sent to the Israeli authorities calling for an investigation into the incident. Israeli troops had stopped the car of Switzerland's representative to the Palestinian Authority. Presided over by Deputy Chairman Mahmood Taibah, the Shoura Council held a regular session and approved a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of dangerous waste administration between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Secretary General of the Council Dr. Salih Al Malik told Saudi Press Agency following the session that the council discussed other issues and deferred taking decisions on them to future sessions. Saudi Arabia has postponed plans to replace salesmen in lingerie shops, saying it wants to give outlets more time to prepare for the move. The government, which wants more women to work as part of its efforts to reduce reliance on foreign labor, took the decision last June and businesses were given a year to prepare for implementation. "Based on pleas by shop owners ... that they were unable to comply with the deadline, the ministry's decision is postponed until all the required preparations are finalized," the Saudi Press Agency said quoting a statement by Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi. The ministry had stated earlier that the decision regarding lingerie shops would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase that begins on June 18, jobs in shops along the streets, central markets and major shopping centers will be restricted to Saudi women. In the second phase set to begin a year later, sales jobs in shops selling abayas and women's readymade dresses will be restricted to Saudi women. The minister said the decision to restrict jobs in lingerie shops to Saudi women was taken to increase job opportunities for Saudi women who wanted to work in order to contribute to the support of their families. "Creating jobs for women is not a new thing. It started 25 years ago when the Manpower Council was established," Al-Gosaibi said. Saudi Minister of Transport Dr. Jubarah Ibn Eid Al-Suraisiri together with his transport counterparts of Syria, Jordan and Lebaon signed here today a unified traffic protocol regulating traffic and transit stay of vehicles in and accross the four Arab countries. Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Al-Suraisiri underscored the importance of the protocol in the service of people and commercial businesses in the four countries, noting that the agreement would enhance economic joint ties and facilitate the passage of passengers and goods according to the Trade Exchange Agreement among the Arab countries. He said a joint committee composed of transport and customs authorities in the four countries will supervise the implementation of the agreement. Saudi Charge d'affaires in Amman Hamid Al-Ghamdi and a number of transport officials representing the ministries of Transport of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon attended the event. European lawmaker Claudio Fava said senior US intelligence officials had 'confirmed that between 30 to 50 extraordinary rendition operations have been undertaken in the world since 2001.' Fava, rapporteur of a European Parliament's committee investigating alleged CIA activities in Europe, was part of an assembly's delegation which was in Washington last week. Euro MPS met with the US State Department's top legal advisor, John Bellinger, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, members of Congress, lawyers and NGO representatives. Bellinger 'neither confirmed nor denied the existence of extraordinary renditions', Fava told a news conference in Strasbourg. However, the US top official seemed to justify the practice of transporting terror suspects to other countries for interrogation, Fava underlined. The committee's rapporteur also said that 'a first hand source' in the US confirmed 'the existence of seven black sites operated by the CIA in countries of Asia, Europe and Africa'. According to the source, 'the secret centres in Europe were closed down following the public pressure exerted by the media, but there is a black site still operating in a North African country,' Fava said. The European Parliament's probe concluded last month that more than 1,000 CIA flights had transited the EU and that the CIA had been responsible for kidnapping several people and illegally detaining them on EU soil. The 46-member parliamentary committee investigating the CIA charges was set up in January. It is working in tandem with an inquiry by the Council of Europe. However, the committee has no power to sanction European governments. The Council of Europe, the continent's top human rights watchdog, said last month that at least one European government has violated human rights treaties by helping the US to transport terror suspects to other countries for interrogation. However, the body has not given any further information so far. Clandestine detention centres, secret flights via or from Europe to countries where suspects could face torture, or extraordinary renditions would all breach the continent's human rights conventions. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education for girls education Prince Dr Khalid Ibn Abdullah Ibn Miqren Al Mashari has expressed his deepest thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for the establishment of a girls university in Riyadh and the appointment of Dr Noura bint Abdul Aziz Al Mubarak as its director. The Saudi stand at the exhibition of Loughborough University in the United Kingdom received the top award for the second year. The exhibition comprised 40 stands. The Saudi stand was voted the best. Saudi students prepared the stand and emphasized the culture of the Kingdom based on the Islam. Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid and the accompanying delegation held a meeting with Chairman of Oman's Shoura Council Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Ali Al-Qatbi. During the meeting, they discussed ways of enhancing expertise in the parliamentary field. Also, Dr. Ibn Homaid invited his Omani counterpart to visit the kingdom. On the other hand, Dr. Ibn Homaid met with Dr. Yahya Ibn Mahboudh Al-Munzari, Chairman of Oman's State Council. During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual concern. The meetings were attended by Saudi Ambassador to Oman Abdullah Ibn Abdul rahman A'lam and a Number of Omani officials. The Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Homaid and the accompanying delegation met with a number of Omani officials. They included Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahd Ibn Mahmood Al Saeed, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Al Salmi, and the Minister in charge of foreign affairs Yosif Ibn Alawi Ibn Abdullah. During the separate meetings, issues of common interest were discussed. Shoura chairman Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Homaid and the accompanying delegation were received by Asaad Ibn Tariq Al Saeed, Representative of The Sultan Of Oman. During the meeting, cordial talks were exchanged and issues of common interest were discussed. Amnesty International has condemned the decision by the Israeli High Court of Justice on 14 May to uphold a law which explicitly denies family rights on the basis of ethnicity or national origins is a step further in the institutionalization of racial discrimination in Israel. The "Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law" bars family reunification for Israelis married to Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. It specifically targets Israeli Arabs (Palestinian citizens of Israel), who make up a fifth of Israel's population, and Palestinian Jerusalemites, for it is they who marry Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Thousands of couples are affected by this discriminatory law, which forces Israeli Arabs married to Palestinians to leave their country or to be separated from their spouses and children. Israeli military law forbids Israelis from entering the main population centres in the Occupied Territories and Israeli citizens cannot join their Palestinian spouses there, and at the same time Palestinian spouses staying in Israel without a permit are constantly at risk of being deported and separated from their families. Thus, Israeli-Palestinian couples would ultimately be forced to move to another country in order to live together an option which is neither feasible nor desirable for those concerned. In addition, Palestinian Jerusalemites would lose their residency and their right to ever live in Jerusalem again if they move out of the city. Five of the 11 High Court of Justice's judges who ruled on this law on 14 May, including the Court's President, voted against upholding the law, recognizing that it infringes human rights. The Court's President, Aharon Barak, stated that the law violates the right of Israeli Arabs to equality. Indeed, the law violates the absolute prohibition on discrimination contained in international human rights law, notably several treaties which Israel has ratified and is obliged to uphold, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The provision in the law which allows for the discretionary granting of temporary residence permits for Palestinian male spouses over 35 and female spouses over 25 is arbitrary in nature and does not alter the discriminatory character of the law. It will also not benefit the majority of Israeli-Palestinian couples, who marry at a younger age. Moreover, the permit applications of spouses who meet the age criteria can be rejected on the grounds that a member of his/her extended family is considered a "security risk" by Israeli security services. Thousands of Palestinians seeking family reunification prior to the passing of this law were rejected on unspecified "security" grounds in circumstances where the failure to provide detailed reasons for each rejection made it impossible for those rejected to mount an effective legal challenge to the decision. The Israeli authorities have sought to justify the law on security grounds but have brought no convincing evidence to substantiate such claims. Even claims that some 25 people, some of whom were born to Israeli parents and were not in Israel as a result of family reunification, have been involved in attacks in security-related offences, cannot justify denying family reunification to every Palestinian. Doing so is discriminatory and disproportionate and would constitute a form of collective punishment, prohibited under international law. Moreover, statements by Israeli officials and legislators who support the new law indicate that it is primarily motivated by demographic, rather than security, considerations - that is, a determination to reduce the percentage of Israeli Arabs among the country's population. The ban on family unification for Israeli-Palestinian couples, initially introduced by an administrative decision of the Interior Minister in 2002 and subsequently passed into law by the Israeli Knesset in July 2003, is due to be reviewed by the Israeli Knesset next July. Amnesty International reiterates its call on the Israeli government and on Members of the Knesset to repeal this law and to ensure that any steps taken to address security concerns, including any amendments to the citizenship law, comply with international human rights law notably the principle of non-discrimination. The Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Sobyanin said that Moscow's position on Iran was much closer to that of the West than stated. He insisted that Russia's top priority was to stop Iran acquiring an atomic bomb while avoiding any moves that could lead to a new war in the Middle East. "We do have important commercial contracts with Iran, but it is more important to us to make sure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons," he said. "In this regard we are absolutely on the same wavelength as our Western partners . . . I think we also agree how terrible an outbreak of new hostilities would be in the case of Iran." The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah þ þsaid it was his duty to dissolve the parliament to preserve security þ þand stability of Kuwait, after his hopes faded away because conflict of þinterests overshadowed dialogue.þ In a speech to the nation after he dissolved the parliament, Sheikh Sabah þsaid he was following the conflicts that "have driven us away from the rest of þour priorities and the practices of some which deviated from the sound þ þparliamentary course."þ This deviation, added the Amir, was "forming a threat to the security and stability of the country," thus triggering "discord and shaking confidence among the people of the Kuwaiti community and weakening our national unity, þwhich is the solid fort for our previous Kuwait." Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah noted the controversy over the redrawing of þelectoral constituencies and that a ministerial committee was formed þconsisting of officials well known for their experience and objectivity to study this issue.þ The Kuwaiti Amir said he had hoped the dialogue between the executive and þlegislative authorities be kept inside the parliament and in accordance with þlaw and constitution.þ But the situation developed into a state of tension and escalation which þhas ultimately undermined confidence among the Kuwaiti people.þ "There is doubt that the tense atmospheres, from which wisdom and þrationality disappears, and doubt and escalation exist, do not allow þwell-studied practical solutions for an important issue one of the key elements of the national action," said the Kuwaiti Amir.þ The Kuwaiti Amir said he has waited for a long time "hoping this cloud disappears from the sky of our beloved country, through a positive dialogue under the dome of parliament."þ But, he added, after conflicts and personal interests overshadowed the public interests, the offences overshadowed the voice of the mind thus distorting democracy in Kuwait.þ Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah said everybody should be responsible and benefit from þthe experiences of others. "We have to accept the other opinion, we have to þconsult with each other to disagree not to be hostile against each other and þto criticize without defamation ...," added the Amir.þ Because of these conflicts, Sheikh Sabah said, "I was obliged to take a þdifficult decision, which I would never wanted to take, but It was my duty to preserve the security and safety or our country ... by dissolving the National þAssembly according to the constitution, to calm down ourselves, our minds and þ þhearts to think what is the best for our country at present and future."þ Sheikh Sabah said all Kuwaitis sought a solid country engulfed with þsecurity and stability. A GCC delegation will visit Tehran to make sure Iran is fully cooperating with the international community, foremost the IAEA, over its nuclear file, said Kuwait's deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah, but did not mention the date of the visit. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah confirmed that an official delegation representing the GCC states was formed and was getting ready to go to Tehran to make sure it was complying with IAEA security guidelines. Speaking during a press conference he held together with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the minister said the decision to form the GCC delegation stemmed from the "need to deal with this issue from a practical standpoint and because of the importance of discussing this issue with our friends in Tehran." In answer to a reporter's question about growing Kuwaiti concern about Iran's nuclear activities, the minister said the concern was not restricted to Kuwait but to all GCC member states. He stressed that the GCC concern was "based on evidence, clearly and widely known and expressed at last year's GCC summit which was held in Abu Dhabi and the ensuing GCC consultative summit which was held in Riyadh last month." Sheikh Mohammad described the danger stemming from Iran's nuclear activity as "not an imaginary threat, but an existing and real threat facing GCC states." The minister indicated that the talks between his German counterpart and the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as well as the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister had focused on important regional issues including Iran's nuclear file as well as Germany's role, as member of the UN Security Council, in finding a solution to this problem. Sheikh Mohammad said the talks also focused on the situation in Iraq and the formation of the new Iraqi government as well as the general situation in the Middle East and the need for an overall solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the US-backed 'Road Map' peace plan. Saudi Aramco and French oil firm Total signed an agreement to build a 400,000 barrel per day (bpd), export-oriented refinery in the kingdom at a cost of around $6 billion. The full-conversion refinery in Jubail on the gulf coast is designed to process Arabian heavy crude oil and is scheduled to start up in 2011, Saudi Armco said in a statement. According to the memorandum of understanding, Aramco and total would form a joint venture firm, with each holding a 35 percent stake. up to 30 percent ownership in the project is planned to be offered to the Saudi citizens in the future. Reuters quoted Saudi Aramco officials as putting the project's cost at $6 billion. The state oil firm will supply 400,000 bpd of Arabian heavy crude and both Saudi Aramco and total will market the refinery's production. Saudi Aramco and total said they would carry out a joint front-end engineering and design study and that documents to implement the project would be negotiated in parallel with the study. The deal is one of two joint venture export refineries, which Saudi Arabia wants to build in the kingdom, the world's top oil exporter, which is also expanding its crude output capacity. President Ali Abdullah Saleh delivered a speech on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Yemeni Unification, 22 May 1990 in which he said the achievement of the homeland reunification was a historical and national accomplishment declared on the 22nd of May 1990 coinciding with a critical situation when many nations and homelands were witnessing separation and division. While we celebrate on this dear national occasion, we rejoice on the big accomplishments and great victories which were achieved in all walks of life after revolution, unity, struggle and sacrifices of our one Yemeni nation. The President said it is the right of our people to be proud of what was achieved on the path of the build up of the modern state and its constitutional institutions, the progress of economic and development construction, the openness of wide horizons for future development and investment in addition to the pioneering example the homeland has achieved in democracy. In regard to Yemen stances towards Arab, Islamic and international issues, the President stressed that Yemen will remain committed to the national solid principles and Arab and Islamic rights. Our country efforts were fruitful in enhancing the Arab League role including the regular holding of Arab summits and contributing to the development of the joint Arab and Islamic work he said. President Saleh reiterated the Palestinian people right to return to their homeland and the establishment of their independent state on their national soil with its capital the Holy Al-Quds. We call on the international community to respect the will of the Palestinian people and their democratic choice by lifting the economic embargo imposed on them. We also reiterate the necessity of commitment to the Arab peace initiative and the implementation of the relevant international legitimacy resolutions in order to achieve the comprehensive and just peace in the region the President went on to say. In regard to the developments in Iraq, we renew our call to all brotherly Iraqi people to work for the enhancement of their national unity and contribution in creating a better future in light of a democratic, free and unified Iraq and ending the foreign occupation of Iraq in order to return an effective member in its Arab and regional arena and serves its nation issues. While we express satisfaction over efforts exerted by our country to help achieve Somali reconciliation so that every one should focus on the build up of the Somali state institutions and the reconstruction of this brotherly country, we express regrets for the recent events witnessed in the capital Mogadishu. We urge all parties to resort to dialogue and understanding. We will continue our support for all efforts exerted for maintaining security, stability and peace in Somalia. We reiterate and renew our support and stand with the brotherly Sudan for maintaining peace in Darfur. Sultan Qaboos gave an audience at Bait Al Mamourah in Salalah to Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, foreign minister of Germany, and his delegation. They reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of common concern. They also discussed ways of promoting cooperation in the interest of the friendly Omani and German peoples. The audience was attended by Yousuf Ibn Alawi Ibn Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs; Sheikh Khalifa Ibn Ali Al Harthy, the Sultanate's ambassador to Germany, and the German ambassador to the Sultanate. Dr Steinmeier had arrived in Oman on a two-day visit to the Sultanate within the context of his regional tour. Leaders from China and 22 Arab nations Arab countries will discuss key cooperation projects and map out fields for future cooperation during a China-Arab summit in Beijing later this month, the director general of the foreign ministry's Asian and African division, Zhai Jun told reporters. The Second Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum is to be held in Beijing on May 31 and June 1. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and counterparts from 22 Arab countries or their representatives and the Arab League (AL) will attend the meeting, Zhai said. "It will be the first time for the forum to hold its ministerial meeting in China since it was founded in 2004," he said. It was also for the first time for foreign ministers of all Arab countries to get together outside the Middle East, he added and confirmed that Foreign Minister Mahmud al-Zahar of Palestine would also attend the meeting. Li would co-host the meeting with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheik Abdullah Ibn Zayed Al Nahyan, whose country holds the AL rotating presidency, and AL Secretary General Amr Moussa. The meeting would focus on developing the new China-Arab partnership, said Zhai. Senior Chinese leaders would meet with the foreign delegations on the sidelines of the meeting. Two documents would be signed at the end of the meeting including a communique and working plans for the next two years, Zhai said. President General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan received at the presidential palace Saudi Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid and his delegation. At the outset of the meeting, President Musharraf welcomed Ibn Homaid, wishing him good stay in his second country. President Musharraf lauded the efforts exerted by the Saudi Governmenet to help alleviate the sufferings of needy Pakistanis in quake-hit areas. In his own name and on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, President Musharraf expressed appreciaiton of and gratitude to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for assisting their brethren in Pakistan during this disaster. On his part, Dr. Salih conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and his Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz to the Pakistani leaadership. Japan's prime minister on Sunday refused to say when the country's troops would leave Iraq, saying the government was still discussing whether and when to pull out, despite a media reports suggesting a July withdrawal. Media reports said that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi planned to discuss Japan's troop withdrawal at a June summit with U.S. President George W. Bush, and that Tokyo could begin to bring troops home in July. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Amman held talks with his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah al-Khatib on bilateral and regional issues. Al-Khatib said that Iran-Jordan relations have roots in history and rich culture of Islam and hoped that regular consultations would be effective to explore capacities for economic cooperation. On the dilemma of Palestine, Mottaki called for solidarity of the Islamic states to support Palestinians rights. On Iraq, Mottaki called for Iraqi neighboring states to help establish democratic government in Baghdad and hoped that the upcoming Summit of leaders of Iraqi neighbouring states in Tehran would serve to reduce hardship of Iraqi people. |