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August 11, 2006 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has approved the increase in the monthly salary for students studying abroad by 15 percent and the fixing of all their appropriations in a number of countries which have affected by fluctuations of Riyal exchange rate for other currencies. In his statement, the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalid Ibn Mohammed Al-Anqari said the King's fatherly gesture will assist students dispatched abroad to face the burdens of living and requirements of life. Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the first tourism and handicraft conference of the Muslim countries will be organized in Riyadh in Shawwal. The conference will be organized by the supreme commission for tourism in cooperation with the research center for history and Islamic arts and culture, an affiliate of the Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic conference (OIC). Prince Sultan Ibn salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the commission's Secretary General, underlined the importance of the patronage of the conference by King Abdullah. He highlighted the great attention given by the monarch to the tourism and cultural activities. Prince Sultan Ibn Salman said a number of experts and specialists have been invited to participate in the conference. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Bolivia's President Evo Morales Ayma on the occasion of his country's independence day. In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah wished the president continual good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to Bolivia's President Evo Morales Ayma on the occasion of his country's independence day. The Crown Prince 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 Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo 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, King Abdullah wished the president continual good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo on the occasion of his country's national day. The Crown Prince 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 received a message from Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed. The message was delivered to the king by the minister responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah during an audience at the royal court at Al Salam palace. The Minister conveyed to the Monarch the greetings of Oman's sultan. In turn, the King sent his greetings to the Sultan. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal; and a number of princes. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at the royal court at Al Salam palace the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. During the audience, they discussed the efforts being exerted to stop the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the occupied Arab territories; the kingdom's affirmation of its continuous stands on supporting Lebanon and the Lebanese legitimacy; the assertion that the Lebanese problem is part and parcel of general Arab stance; and the end of the current crisis and confrontation of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and its people necessitate an Arab, clear, strong and united position. King Abdullah expressed his wishes and confidence that the coming meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Beirut will be an embodiment of success of an Arab stance expected by the Arab people. The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; the Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal; Chief of General Intelligence Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz; a number of princes and officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a message from Sudan's President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir. The message was delivered to the king by the Advisor to the Sudanese President Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismael during an audience at the royal court at Al Salam palace. The advisor conveyed to the monarch the greetings of Sudan's president. In turn, the king sent his greetings to the president. The Audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; the Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal; Chief of General Intelligence Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz; a number of princes and officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, donated SR one million to the Emergency Medicine Institute. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emergency Medicine Institute Miqhem Abo Rogaibah announced the donationa after meeting the Crown Prince at the Royal court. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at the royal court at Al Salam palace the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emergency Medicine Institute Miqhem Abo Rogaibah and members of the board of directors of the institute. The Chairman of the board of directors of the institute explained to the Crown Prince the importance of the emergency medicine services. He also mentioned the services offered by the institute in order to develop the emergency medicine in the kingdom. The Crown Prince commended the efforts made by the institute, wishing it more progress. He also urged the institute's officials to intensify their efforts to raise the standard of the emergency medicine in the kingdom in the interest of the society. At the end of the meeting, the Crown Prince was handed over the first Arabic book entitled "How To Save An Injured Within Ten Minutes"; the appreciation certificate of Pennsylvania State; as well as the institute's shield. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the Crown Prince's Court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hodaithi and the Special Secretary to Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salem Al-Mari. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at the royal court at Al Salam palace the governor of Taif, Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Muammar and a number of dignitaries who came to greet him. The meeting was attended by the advisor at the royal court Sheikh Nasser Al-Shathri; the Chief of Crown Prince's Court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hodaithi; the Special Secretary to the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salem Al-Mari. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at the royal court at Al Salam palace the US Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter. During the audience, they discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries as well as issues of mutual interest. The audience was attended by the Chief of Crown Prince's Court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hodaithi; the Special Secretary to the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salem Al-Mari. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at the royal court at Al Salam palace the Czech Republic's Ambassador to the kingdom Jindrich Junek. During the audience, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of mutual interest. The audience was attended by the Chief of Crown Prince's Court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hodaithi. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of the Interior received at his office the regional representative of UNRWA in the Gulf area Ambassador Ahmed Abdul Wahab Jubara. During the meeting they reviewed the human activities of UNRWA in light of the current situation in Lebanon. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs arrived in Sharoura. Upon arrival at the venue, he was received by a number of commanders and senior officials. He was briefed on Sharourah Force by its Acting Commander Major General Mohammed Zayid Al-Shihri. The Prince also paid an inspection tour of Sharourah-based Armed Forces Hospital. Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz paid an inspection visit to the Nineteenth Al Farooq Brigade group of Sharorah force. During the visit, he made a brief statement explaining that his visit's aim is to inquire about requirements and needs of the force's personnel. Later, prince khalid Ibn sultan left Sharorah province airport. In response to directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, to undertake a popular donation campaign for the relief and assistance of the Lebanese people, the Consul General of Lebanon in Jeddah received 5 ambulance cars from Dr Ali Al Nakour head of the transport committee in the Chamber of Commerce. This donation coincides with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry charity donation programs as part of its social responsibility, which is further reflected in providing relief to those affected by disasters locally, regionally and globally. The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad will start a tour including Egypt, the United Kingdom and the USA during which he will discuss a number of issues with leaders of these countries. Sheikh Sabah will conclude his tour with a visit to Cuba to attend the non-aligned summit which will be held in Havana on September 14. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held in Sana'a talks over current developments in Arab region especially the Israeli aggressions against Palestine and Lebanon. They discussed efforts of unifying Arab positions over these developments. Abbas briefed president Saleh on the efforts exerted to realize Palestinian consolidation to face challenges. He appreciated position of president Saleh, which supports struggling of Palestinian people to get back their rights and set up their independent state and Lebanese resistance against Israeli aggression which targets innocent people. President Saleh renewed Yemeni position of supporting struggling of Palestinian people to get back their rights and set up their independent state with al-Quds as its capital.He renewed condemnation of Yemen for all Israeli wild aggression against Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. He called on the international community in top of which is UN Security Council to stop the Israeli aggression against two peoples and practice pressures on Israel to carry out resolutions associated with the Arab-Israeli conflict to insure fair peace in the region. The talks were attended by top officials from both countries. Security sources in Lebanon said at least 33 farm workers, including many Kurds and Syrians, were killed when Israeli aircraft bombarded trucks being loaded with fruits at a farm on Lebanon's border with Syria. They said the farm was near the village of Qaa in the northern tip of the eastern Bekaa Valley. Aircraft fired at least three rockets at the trucks which were being loaded with peaches and plums. The dead and about 15 wounded were being evacuated to hospitals in Syria, they said. A senior British police officer issued a warning after an explosive device was sent to a Labour Party office. Police said a member of staff at the office in Cambridge became suspicious about a package and alerted the emergency services. But Chief Superintendent Rob Needle said the "crude, home-made device" could have caused injury had it gone off. And he warned people to be vigilant and contact police if they were suspicious about any packages arriving in their post. He said the arrival of the package came after a number of organisations had received "hate mail" in recent weeks. But Mr Needle said officers were not linking the incident with any major terrorist activity. "The device was posted to the Cambridge Labour headquarters," said Mr Needle. "It was discovered in the post by a member of staff, who alerted police." He added: "It was a small but potentially dangerous device which could have caused injury. "I am appealing to the public to take extra care in opening their post and if they have any suspicions about any letter or package to leave it unopened and immediately call the police. "The device is being further examined and we are carrying out an urgent investigation into who may have sent this and why." The Arab League has expressed strong condemnation of Israel's abduction of member of Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Abdul Aziz Duwaik. It described the act as conflicting with all international laws and conventions and regarded Israel responsible for his safety and the safety of his kidnapped colleagues. The Arab League also denounced in a press statement, all crimes committed by Israel in Gaza against civilians and called UN Security Council Permanent Member states to rapidly react to protect the Palestinian citizens from the Israeli persistent assaults. The United Arab Emirates continued to ferry relief materials to Lebanon through the air bridge ordered by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Some 500 tonnes of relief materials were transported so far aboard 19 flights to meet the urgent needs of thousands of displaced people. Dr Mohammed Jawad Khalifa, Lebanese Health Minister, lauded the efforts being made by the UAE to ease suffering of Lebanese. He said that since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE stood firmly by Lebanon, sending more than 26 ambulances and launching daily flights to Beirut to carry aid. Mohammed Sultan Saif Al Suweidi, UAE Ambassador in Beirut, said that UAE will continue to help Lebanon until it is able to get over its plight. The relief materials include foodstuff, baby milk, vaccines, blankets, medicines and medical items. Racing against time to supply vital humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Lebanon, the United Nations is looking at the possibility of sea routes to bring in supplies as Israeli bombing has destroyed all roads and bridges to the southern city of Tyre and no humanitarian convoys were able to get through to the south of the country. "The United Nations is looking into alternative routes for providing aid to Lebanon by sea, especially with the bad condition of the road transport network due to Israeli raids. One major route would be by sea directly to Beirut, Sidon and Tyre." Fuel shipments are also ready to be sent "as soon as the security situation allows," he said, highlighting the chronic shortage in the country that the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has warned could force the closure of 60 per cent of Lebanese hospitals unless supplies are received this week. Despite the difficulties, 12 trucks of emergency supplies headed to the east of Lebanon and also one convoy of 11 trucks from Syria, the UN said, adding also that after hours of delays at the border supplies from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had finally arrived in Beirut. Also on the humanitarian front, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has distributed hygiene kits, diapers and other essential supplies to more than 20,000 internally displaced in the Mount Lebanon area, while the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has been assisting the Lebanese Red Cross in helping around 7,000 displaced in the Bekaa area of the country. Four protesters against the war in Lebanon were arrested after a security breach at a Scottish airport, police said. The three women and a man got through a fence at Prestwick airport, near Glasgow, and ran on to a runway, according to media reports. They were thought to be protesting at the use of the airport by U.S. planes carrying munitions to Israel, the reports said. "Four protesters ... were arrested and are currently detained in police custody following an alleged breach of security at Prestwick airport," a police spokeswoman said. Economist Conferences will hold the first Business Round-table with the Government of Oman in September. The Roundtable brings together high-ranking personalities including Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, minister of commerce and industry, Jeroen van der Veer, chief executive, Royal Dutch Shell and Frank Chapman, chief executive, BG Group. Economist Conferences, a division of the Economist Intelligence Unit, is the leading provider of international forums for senior executives seeking new insights into strategic issues. As part of the Economist Group, publisher of The Economist, the Economist Conferences is a highly respected brand with a 160-year history and an unrivalled reputation for excellence and independence. In a statement, Delia Meth-Cohn, editorial director, Economist Intelligence Unit, CEEMEA said: "Oman is stepping up the pace of its plan to transform the economy. The round-table will be the place to engage in open dialogue about the road ahead and where the focus of business needs to be." The Roundtable draws on Economist Conferences' global experience in leading truly independent debate with high-level decision-makers. Among the topics scheduled for debate are: Can Oman forge a competitive edge sharp enough to contend with regional neighbors including the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain? Is the drive towards Omanisation of the labour force going to block progress for international corporations? How can the private sector help Oman break away from its dependence on oil? What action is needed to exploit free-trade opportunities with the US? What further reforms are needed to ensure that Oman has a sustainable future as a key Gulf economy? Other confirmed government officials and corporate speakers include Ahmed Abubaker Janahi, chairman and chief executive officer, AAJ Holdings; AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive officer, BankMuscat; Joseph Hanania, managing director, HP Middle East; U S Awashti, managing director, IFFCO (New Delhi); and Husam Dajani, vice-president, Oracle, Middle East and Africa. Lead sponsors of this Roundtable are Shell and Blue City. The supporting sponsor is BankMuscat. The conference is also supported by Momentum PR. The supporting airline is Gulf Air. Results of Salalah Khareef 2006 visitors' enumeration, being carried out by the National Economy and Tourism ministries and Royal Oman Police, indicated that the number of visitors to Dhofar governorate between June 21 and July 31 reached 103,200 compared to 88,761 during the same period last year. Statistics suggested that majority of tourists to Khareef Salalah came from the Sultanate and GCC countries as per nationality groups and entry inlet. The number of tourists from GCC, including the Sultanate, reached 93,980, constituting 91 per cent of the total number of tourists visiting Dhofar Governorate. The number of Omani tourists constituted the big portion of GCC tourists total number reached 56,389 at 54.64 per cent. The number of Omani tourists from Muscat Governorate constituted the big ratio among Omani tourists from other regions, whereas it reached 18,968 at 33.6 per cent, Batinah region came second at 15,510 at 27.5 per cent, Dakhiliyah region 7,705 at 13.7 per cent and Sharqiyah 6,946 at 12.3 per cent. The total number of visitors from the UAE, who visited Dhofar among other GCC countries' came second, whereas their number reached 23,940 at 23.20 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia at 10,342 constituting 10.02 per cent. Visitors groups from Asian countries who visited Dhofar governorate came in the second place after the GCC states' visitors, as per their nationality and point of entry whereas, they reached 6,413 tourists, constituting 6.21 per cent, followed by tourists from Arab countries at 1,829 constituting 1.77 per cent, tourists from European countries reached 422 at 0.41 per cent. China felt "deeply shocked" by and "strongly condemned" an Israeli air raid on a United Nations post in south Lebanon, and urged for immediate ceasefire. The air raid killed four UN observers, including one from China. "China urges the sides concerned, especially Israel, to take tangible measures to ensure the security of UN peacekeepers," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao. He called on sides concerned back to the track of talks to seek a political solution. "China will work with the international community, further diplomatic efforts and push the Middle East situation back to peace and stability at an early date," Liu said. Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya made an emergency call to UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, asking the UN to require Israel to take every measure to ensure the security of UN peacekeepers, including those from China, and look into the event. President Bashar al-Assad received a telephone call from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during which talks focused on the current discussions and contacts to stop the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. During the phone call, President Assad underlined that Syria supports all what the Lebanese agree upon. He added that any decision that breaks away from the Lebanese consensus will further complicate things and increase disorder. President Assad said that some powers seek to give Israel political gains that it couldn't get by war, adding that this endeavor would not make success. In London, Lebanese MP Yassin Jaber discussed with British Prime Minister Tony Blair the current situation in Lebanon in light of the constant Israeli aggression. "Jaber, who is delegated to London by Berri, quoted Blair as saying that British and French viewpoints had become identical regarding the situation in Lebanon and that there would be a real seek for an immediate cease-fire in the upcoming 48 hours " The Lebanese National News Agency said. Jaber held a series of meetings with British Parliamentarians on the ongoing Israeli aggression on Lebanon. On the 28 days of the Israeli war on Lebanon 932 people have been killed in Lebanon, with 75 missing, presumed dead. 29 Lebanese Army soldiers have been killed. 3,293 Lebanese have been wounded. 45 per cent of the casualties have been children. 913,000 Lebanese have been displaced (300,000 of whom are children). 94 Israelis have been killed and 1,867 wounded. Israel has flown 8,700 bombing sorties, destroying 146 bridges and 72 roads. Damage caused to Lebanon's infrastructure is estimated at $2bn. Up to 30,000 tons of oil have spilled into the Mediterranean since an Israeli air strike on Jieh power station. Lebanon group at the House of Commons sent a message to Tony Blair warning him that continuation of the Israeli attack on Lebanon will destabilize the region and increase support for Hezbollah. The message said that most British people consider the Israeli response disproportionate. An Israeli army force stormed shortly before last Saturday the house of Aziz Dweik, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), in the West Bank city of Ramallah and arrested him. Palestinian eyewitnesses and security sources reported that the Israeli army force raided Dweik's house in al-Masayef neighborhood in Ramallah, and took him from home to an Israeli army base outside the city. The security sources in Ramallah said that the Israeli army force detained Dweik and conveyed him to a nearby Israeli army headquarters in the outskirts of Ramallah for questioning. According to the evaluation of the international red cross organization, which is concerned with the performance of the field hospitals, the Saudi Field Hospital, set up in Lebanon, has topped the list of the field hospitals set up in Lebanon. Medical Director of the Saudi field hospital Dr. Saud Al-Omani said that this evaluation has come following the visit paid by a team from IRCO to the Saudi field hospital. 'In the light of its material and human capabilities, the Saudi field hospital is one of the best field hospitals at the level of the Middle East', he said. Dr Al-Omani said that the number of cases reported to the hospital until last night amounted to 1573. 'Excellent medical services were extended to the patients', he noted. Meantime Saudi Field Hospital in Beirut has received 1017 cases since its inauguration last Monday within Saudi relief medical assistance provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Lebanese people afflicted by the Israeli aggression. General Coordinator of Office of Saudi Red Crescent Society in Lebanon Abdullah Al-Ruwaili said that full health care has been provided for the afflicted people due to the abundance of capabilities, medical sets and medicines at the hospital. On the other hand Lebanese Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalifa accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Mohieddin Khoja toured the Saudi field hospital here today. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Lebanese minister expressed his best thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for ordering to dispatch the hospital to Lebanon. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi warned that the Israeli attacks on Lebanon are disproportionate. He said in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Akhbar that the situation puts not only the Lebanese but also the Israeli and the whole area in dangers and the continuation of the aggressions will make it more difficult to reach a solution for the solving the conflict. Two leading Islamist deputies were jailed in Jordan after they were found guilty of sowing national discord by visiting the family of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al Qaeda leader in Iraq, after his death. The verdict was announced after a two-week military trial in which state security prosecutors said they "stirred internal strife and national divisions" by paying their respects to the family of Jordanian-born Zarqawi after he was killed in a U.S. air strike in June. Sheikh Mohammad Abu Faris received a two-year sentence for allegedly describing Zarqawi as a "martyr" and Ali Abu Sukr, a prominent rights campaigner, was given a one-and-half year jail term while a third deputy, Jaafar Hourani, was acquitted. |