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August 18, 2006 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf 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. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received at the royal court at Al Salam palace princes, senior staff of the royal court and the court of cabinet's presidency, a number of officials and officers from the royal guard and a group of citizens who came to greet him on the occasion of his safe arrival in the kingdom. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation And Inspector General, and a number of other princes. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received a telephone call from Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki. During the call, they discussed the situations in the region, especially the situation in Iraq. They also discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received a telephone call from lebanese premier fouad Saniora. They reviewed the situation in Lebanon. The Lebanese Premier briefed King Abdullah on the latest developments in his country, and said Lebanon optimistically views the resolution 1701 issued by the UN's Security Council. Saniora said Lebanon views the Arab countries, notably the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as supporters of peace and stability in Lebanon. He expressed appreciation for the stands of king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the Saudi people towards Lebanon. On his part, King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the heartfelt feelings spelt out by Saniora and reiterated the solidarity and support of the kingdom to Lebanon. The king noted that Lebanon, with the grace of Almighty Allah and the assistance of its brethren Arabs, will be capable of recovery and reconstructing what has been destroyed by the Israeli aggression. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General annually donated SR 1 million to support Saudi Cultural Forum due to be held at the Saudi embassy in Rabat. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi ambassador to Morocco Dr. Mohammed bin Abdurrahman al-Bisher said that this generous donation aims to support the forum scheduled to be held at the new building of the embassy that will be inaugurated. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Swedish ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. Ake Karlsson on the occasion of the end of his term of office in the country. The Ambassador conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and the Prime Minister Goran Persson. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the Swedish leadership. The audience was attended by the chief of crown prince's court Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Hodaithi. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has sent a cable of congratulations to Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf 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. Egypt's President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak received Prince Saud Al-Faisal Saudi Foreign Minister. Prince Saud Al-Faisal delivered a message to Egypt's President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak from the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The message dealt with the developments in the Arab arena, especially the Israeli war against Lebanon. The meeting was attended by senior officials. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh met Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister, who conveyed to him a message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The message dealt with the bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest developments at regional and international arenas, notably the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and the on-going efforts to convene an extraordinary Arab summit. The meeting was attended by Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi and other officials. Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Defense and Aviation Minister for Military Affairs, patronized a training exercise for shooting and usage of modern technology. The Armed Forces of the special units in the north-western region participated in the training exercise. In an extempore speech on the occasion, Prince Khaled said "I wish these special units would be the best in the Middle East." "Thanks to Almighty Allah, we will spare no effort. all the necessary potentials and resources are now available. Moreover, these units will participate with fraternal and friendly forces for mutual benefits." Prince Khaled said, God Willing, members of these special units would serve their religion, king and country." Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has highlighted the significance of the recent visit paid by the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to Turkey, and said it would positively contribute to further cementing Saudi Turkish relations. In a statement published by the Jeddah-based Okaz newspaper, Erdogan said the current developments and events being witnessed by the Middle East region have given an extraordinary importance to the visit. He appraised the kingdom's role in enhancing regional security and peace. The Turkish Prime Minister reiterated the keenness of his country on deepening its relations with the kingdom. He noted that the agreements signed during the visit of King Abdullah to Turkey would have a positive impact on Saudi Turkish relations. Erdogan pointed out that the kingdom is one of the most economically developed countries in the region. 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 , 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. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will organize the three-day First International Conference on "Cleaning Development Mechanism here on 26th to 28th of Sha'ban 1427 A.H. The conference aims at defining this mechanism which has emerged from KYOTO Protocol of the UN Treaty related to climate change, which has been ratified by Saudi Arabia prior to its execution. This mechanism allows international companies to use cleaning technologies to control and make use of carbon in a harmless way for the protection of environment. The third day of the conference will be reserved for engaging in a dialogue with a number of experts from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the European Union (EU) to exemplify the best way to use this mechanism technology and its environmental and economic results. Advisor of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabban said that organizing such a conference is an indicator that the Saudi government is serious to participate in the international community efforts to protect the environment and support using technologies for the same goal. Dr. Al-Sabban added that such an international cooperation will lead to activating the cleaning development mechanism and lessening the possible negative effects on oil countries' economies as a result of the policies of reducing international consumption to face the possible danger of climate change. He also said that distinguished national and international experts will present their research papers at this conference including a paper from The General Investment Authority (GIA) about investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia in addition to other papers from some ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture, Saudi ARAMCO, Saudi universities and private sector. He added that the conference will discuss the legal framework of activating this mechanism in the Kingdom so that international companies will start investing in energy generation, water desalination and oil projects. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated that Islam must not be linked to terrorism. In a statement after the foiling of a plot to explode flights from the UK to the USA, the Turkish foreign minister said it is wrong to link terrorism with Islam. Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of greetings to President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on his country"s Independence Anniversary. A new consignment of Omani relief assistance to the Lebanese people who are affected by the ongoing war there left Muscat. The consignment included 40 tones of medical material, foodstuff and blankets. Renaissance Services Co, the Sultanate's biggest diversified group, yesterday announced a 16 per cent fall in first half net profit at RO 6.3 million, mainly due to high finance cost arising from last year's acquisition and the ongoing investments in new markets. The company's revenue soared by 39 per cent to RO 61 million from RO 44.2 million for the same period last year. Operating expenses were also up by 10.4 per cent to RO 7.4 million from RO 6.7 million. The finance charges for the first half shot up by 320.7 per cent from merely RO 531,000 to as high as RO 2.23 million during the period. Renaissance Chairman Samir J Fancy (pictured) said the higher revenue, earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and operating profit this year reflect the successful strategy of building the company's long-term sustainable income. Fancy said his company in March revised its 2006 net earnings forecast upwards to the range of RO 11-13 million. "The second quarter performance confirms the company is on track to achieve this forecast. Comparisons of the first quarter and second quarter results show the sustainability of high earnings achieved, which provide a platform for further growth ahead," he added. In the second quarter, the company has achieved an 11.6 per cent growth in revenue and 10 per cent rise in net profit over the first quarter. Renaissance in July acquired a 100 per cent shareholding of Norsk Offshore Catering from Maersk Contractors Norge AS. The cost of this acquisition is not material in relation to the company's balance sheet. However, the strategic impact is significant. It strengthens Renaissance's core focus in the oil and gas sector which underlines the company's international ambitions. Further, it provides a platform for synergy between the group's services businesses and marine and energy businesses in key markets including the Gulf and the Caspian. Looking ahead on growth initiatives in the third quarter, the education and training group is opening its health, safety and environment (HSE) training facilities at Ghala, and the media and communications group is incorporating a new company in Qatar. The company's net assets touched RO 83.7 million from RO 69.8 million during the period under review, where as profit margin slipped to 10.3 per cent by end-June 2006 from 17 per cent for the corresponding period last year. Prime Minister Abdul- Qader Ba-Jammal laid the foundation stones for many vital projects in Hadhramout governorate. The projects includes a project of modernizing streets in Hourah district and al- Ayen village at a total cost of YR 400 million financed by the government. Ba-Jammal also inspected the work process in projects of Lemev- Rabat road, and electricity project of Lemen valley, worth morre than YR 1.1 billion. He also briefed the work steps of Okpa road project that was being carried out by the businessman Abdullah Bakshan at a total cost of US $4 million. Moreover, Ba-Jammal listened from the officials to work steps in a project of Khailah Hospital that established by the businessman Abdullah Bakshan. Yemeni Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Dr. Rashad al- Alimi held talks with the American ambassador to Sana'a Thomas Krajeski.The talks focused on the security cooperation between two countries and the means of removing difficulties facing this cooperation to serve common interests of both countries. Terming the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip "deplorable and getting worse," a senior United Nations regional official has warned that vital public services are in danger of collapsing if a solution is not found soon to the crisis arising from the cut-off of international funds after the formation of the Hamas-led Government. "We urgently need to get the funding mechanism, promised by the Quartet a month ago, operational now," UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Director of Operations for Gaza John Ging said. After committing a number of massacres against innocent Lebanese civilians, killing more than 1,500 of them and wounding thousands others and displacing almost a million others, the Lebanese government is preparing to sue the Israeli occupation government. Khaled Kabbani, the Lebanese education minister, announced that his country was preparing a criminal file against Israel to legally prosecute it before international courts for all the "savage" crimes it had committed in Lebanon, adding that Lebanon could prove Israel's violation of international laws and conventions. "We are looking forward to put the file before concerned international institutions to file a lawsuit against Israeli leaders for committing crimes in Lebanon, and to hold Israel responsible for all the destruction inflicted on Lebanon and to let it pay for that", said the Lebanese minister. A number of international human rights and legal institutions have firmly confirmed that IOF troops used internationally-banned weapons in its war on Lebanon. In the UN, the Geneva-based human rights council endorsed a resolution calling for forming an investigation committee to vet Israel's deliberate killing of innocent Lebanese civilians on systematic basis. The proposal was suggested by the OIC and gained 27 out of 47 votes in the council with 11 members opposing. The EU and Israel expressed dissatisfaction over the decision as, according to them, it didn't take into consideration the suffering of the Israeli settlers. China and Russia supported the decision. A medical report stressed that Israel had used phosphorus incendiary bombs and vacuum bombs. Amnesty International said "It is vital at this time of rapidly rising tension that all parties observe the requirements of international humanitarian law, and that other governments take all appropriate steps to insist that they do so," the Amnesty said in a statement. Three Palestinians from the Palestinian government poisoned after opening parcels in Ramallah coming from Tel Aviv have been transferred to Amman for treatment at the military hospital. |