August 25, 2006

MESSAGES TO THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES FROM PRESIDENTS BUSH AND NJAD DEAL WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION. CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ REVIEWS ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH THE CHINESE ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE EAST. TUNISIA CALLS FOR AN ARAB SUMMIT TO REBUILD LEBANON AND PALESTINE. AN EU MEMORANDUM TO WASHINGTON AND PRODI CALLS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION. THE FUTURE BLOC CONSIDERS THE NATIONAL UNITY IS THE REAL GUARANTEE FOR LEBANON. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received a message from US President George W. Bush. The message was delivered to the monarch by the US deputy secretary of the department of the treasury Robert Kimmitt during an audience at the royal court at Al Salam palace. The US deputy treasury secretary conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the greetings of US President George W. Bush. In turn, the king sent his greetings to the president. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; a number of princes and senior officials and US ambassador to the kingdom James Oberwetter. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has received a message from Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadi Nejad. The message was handed over to the king by Iran's Foreign Minister Dr. Manuchehr Motaki during a reception at the king's office at the royal court at Al Salam palace in Jeddah. The minister also conveyed to the monarch the greetings of Iran's Islamic revolution guide Ali Khamnae, head of Iran's Expediency Council Hashmi Rafsanjani And President Mahmud Ahmadi Nejad. On his part, the king sent his greetings to the Iranian leadership. the audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Saud al faisal, Foreign Minister, Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, advisor to the King; Prince Dr. Bandar Bin Salman Bin Mohammed Al Saud, advisor to the King; and Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of state, member of the cabinet and chief of the court of the cabinet's presidency; and Iran's ambassador to the kingdom Hossein Sadeghi. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received Yemen's speaker of the parliament Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hussein Al-Ahmar. During the audience, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of mutual interest. The audience was attended by a number of senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received China's special envoy for the middle east ambassador son began and the accompanied delegation. The envoy conveyed to Crown Prince Sultan the greetings of China's President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and National Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan. In turn, the Crown Prince Sultan sent his greetings to china's leadership. During the audience, they discussed issues of mutual interest. The audience was attended by a number of senior officials. Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister and Supervisor General of the Saudi popular campaign for the relief of the Lebanese people, has issued directives to provide the displaced Lebanese people with their urgent requirements at a total cost of more than sr25 million. Dr Saed Al-Harethi, the advisor of the Interior Minister and head of the Saudi popular campaign for the relief of the Lebanese people, said the relief assistance, which includes food stuffs, will be delivered to the displaced people in coordination with the official Lebanese concerned authorities. He noted that the campaign will continue its relief and humanitarian support until the calamity facing the Lebanese people following the Israeli aggression is over. *** Meantime a fleet of 30 trucks left Saudi Arabia, carrying 660 tons of foodstuffs and medical supplies for Lebanon. Dr Saleh Al-Tuweijiri, the acting president of the Saudi Red Crescent Society, said this comes in line with directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to send urgent relief assistance to the Lebanese people who are facing destructive Israeli aggression. He noted that the Saudi Red Crescent has been coordinating with the red cross to facilitate the passage of the trucks carrying the Saudi relief assistance. He pointed out that the relief assistance includes 580 tons of foodstuffs and 80 tons of medical supplies in addition to an ambulance and a shovel. 'Similar relief caravans will leave for Lebanon within the next few days', he added. On the other hand saudi ambassador to Lebanon Dr Abdul Aziz Khoja met the speaker of the Lebanese Council of deputies Nabih Berri. They reviewed issues of mutual interest. Following the adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 1701 on the situation in Lebanon, an authorized source at the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued the following statement: "Tunisia voices its great satisfaction following the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1701 calling for the end of military operations in Lebanon for it constitutes the first step aiming at stopping the bloodshed while paving the way for peaceful means in order to bring about a negotiable solution to most of the issues left pending in the region by the implementation of all the United Nations resolutions." "Tunisia voices the wish of seeing all parties commit themselves to implement the resolution so as to guarantee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Lebanese territories and put an end to the suffering of innocent civilians." "At this delicate juncture, Tunisia expresses the strong hope that the international community and in particular the influential countries, assume their entire responsibility in view of consolidating security and stability in the region, while reaffirming at the same time the necessity to bring in a just, lasting and global solution to the Palestinian cause." "Based on the need to strengthen common Arab action and in line with what President Ben Ali had said on August 10, Tunisia calls all the Arab countries to hold an emergency summit, in order to assess the situation and to coordinate their efforts with a view of taking a firm, solidary position as well as a common commitment to contribute efficiently to the rebuilding of Lebanon and Palestine. " On the other hand Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa had called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, saying violence should stop even before a UN-brokered truce takes effect. ''Whatever the Israeli hostile action, there is very heavy resistance to it,'' Moussa told reporters, speaking a day after returning from New York where he headed an Arab League delegation to press the UN Security Council over Lebanon. ''There should be a cessation of attacks immediately to stem bloodshed without waiting for tomorrow,'' he added. Less than 24 hours before the ceasefire was due to begin, Israeli troops fought ferocious battles with Hezbollah across several areas of south Lebanon. The Security Council resolution to end the fighting calls for a ''full cessation of hostilities'' and for Israel to withdraw troops ''at the earliest''. An Arab League official said consultations were underway to hold a meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Lebanon. Such a meeting could pave the way for an emergency Arab summit. A previous call by Yemen for a summit was dropped following Arab bickering over whether Hezbollah, which captured two Israeli soldiers on July 12, bears blame for sparking the war that killed at least 1,078 people in Lebanon and 144 Israelis. Meanwhile Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has said the United States and the West were losing credibility in the W Asia due to foot-dragging on a truce, cautiously welcomed the expected end to fighting. ''I criticized the (Security) Council's impotence and dawdling in moving to contain the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Even so, we welcome the resolution as a first step in the right direction,'' Mubarak said in an interview published in the al-Masa'a evening newspaper. ''Taking this decision is not the end of the matter. The issue, in implementation, remains subject to good will, especially from the Israeli side,'' he added. President Mubarak said the Security Council Resolution No. 1701 on halting fighting in Lebanon is a step in the right direction. "We welcome the resolution and support what is accepted by the Lebanese government, the President said adding that Egypt supports any international move for stemming bloodshed among Lebanese citizens, halting the destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure and rendering thousands of Lebanese citizens homeless. In exclusive statements to Al-Messa Editor-in-Chief, the President said in spite of the amendments introduced by the Arab delegation to the draft resolution at the last hours, yet the resolution is unbalanced in many aspects. Mubarak criticized the resolution for failing to clearly answer his repeated demands since the very beginning of the crisis mainly to call for 'an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. It disregarded parts of the seven-item draft plan floated by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora at Rome conference, he said. And it also overlooked all of the amendments what the Lebanese government had asked the UNSC to endorse, he added. Mubarak slammed the UNSC for its slowness' in moving to contain the crisis and end the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Any way "We welcome the international resolution for being the first step in the right direction. And, to put it simply, we just accept that the Lebanese government accepts." Mubarak said Egypt supports any international overture to stop the blood shedding in Lebanon and end the sufferings of its people and the destruction of its infrastructure. President Mubarak said that Lebanon and Israel were about to announce their endorsement of Resolution 1701. As regards Israel, he said he expects it to announce its approval during its cabinet meeting Sunday13/8/2006. As far as Lebanon is concerned, he said he received call Saturday12/8/206 from Lebanese Premier Saniora. The UNSC issuance of its resolution is not the end of the line, Mubarak said. The resolution would be meaningless if there were no good intentions and if none of the parties to the conflict, particularly Israel, were bent on implementing it. Mubarak said that the root cause of the problem in the Middle East must be addressed and seriously handled. A just and overall peace must be restored to all parts of the Middle East, to Lebanon, to Syria and to the occupied Palestinian lands, he said. He warned that unless the US recognized that fact and the international Quartet on the Middle East sought such an end, more crises, similar to the present one, would occur in the future. Mubarak called on all parties; Israel, Hezbollah and Hamas and the other Palestinian factions, to let their conscience and the best interest of their peoples as their guide. They should have common sense and act wisely to serve their own peoples' interests instead of dragging into endless and illogic wars, he said. Asked by AL-Messa Chief Editor whether he meant to include Hezbollah when he made his assertions that Egypt's efforts in support for Lebanon and its people would be "indiscriminately" maintained, Mubarak said Hezbollah is a part of the social, political and sectarian fabric of Lebanon. "Indeed I meant what I said," he noted repeating Egypt's resolution to continue to support all the people of Lebanon without exception. "We are not after the differences between the various sects and powers in Lebanon for we deal with Lebanon as a whole," he said. On the validity of holding an urgent Arab summit at present, he said Egypt has never stopped its contacts and consultations with its sisterly Arab countries nor all its strenuous work to crystallize a joint Arab action that can stem bloodletting and preserve Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and unity. He cited his meeting Saturday12/8/2006 with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, asserting the presence of constant coordination between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and the rest of Arab nations. He asserted that any Arab summit would require good preparations and intensive contacts to be held and to be fruitful. The President noted that reviving the Joint Arab Defence Pact needs periodical meetings by the Arab armed forces Chief Commanders for the purpose of coordination of stances. As for the Palestinian cause, Mubarak noted that it was the core of the Middle East conflict and that Egypt had sacrificed a lot for its sake. Mubarak added that Egypt had talked to Israel on the issue of detained Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Aziz Doweik and his companions. Great efforts are being made for their release, he added. Answering a question on a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki to Egypt that started earlier in the day Mubarak said that his talks with the Iranian top diplomat would tackle the situation in Lebanon and the necessity to adopt constructive stances by all regional parties, including Iran, and international parties, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council . Mubarak noted that the talks would also deal with the Iranian nuclear file, especially after a UNSC resolution giving Iran a deadline until late August to stop its uranium enrichment programme. Mubarak noted that Egypt's relations with the US and Israel are employed to serve regional issues and handle dangers besetting the Middle East. Egypt and Iran Sunday13/8/2006 reiterated their position that calls for an immediate ceasefire, a withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the Lebanese territories they occupied as quickly as possible, the deployment of UNIFIL in line with UN resolution 1701 and the return of around a million displaced Lebanese citizens to their homes in south Lebanon. Addressing a joint press conference soon after a meeting he had with President Mubarak, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described the meeting as "positive" and "fruitful". He pointed out that the talks centered on the situation in the region and the flagrant Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Mottaki said as we live in a strategically important area whose regional developments bear impact on all countries of the region and that in turn necessitates a collective, rather than an individual action to deal with such developments. The Iranian Minister described the recent Arab League's Foreign Ministers meetings in Cairo and Beirut as well as the OIC summit in Kuala Lumpur as part of the positive efforts that have helped in crystallizing extremely significant ideas that have been taken into account by the sponsors of the Security Council resolution 1701. In their joint press conference after holding talks in Alexandria, the Iranian Foreign Minister replied to a question on Hezbollah's position and its relations with Iran saying that Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government and the Lebanese are the ones who should decide for themselves. However, he said that Iran has supported and would support any decision to be taken by Lebanon. Asked when relations between Egypt and Iran would be restored, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Egyptian-Iranian relations were stable and cordial. He added that Egypt and Iran share similar viewpoints on several issues pointing out that the concentration is being placed at the moment on the need to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon. Abul -Gheit said Egypt had contacts Saturday 12/8/2006 with the Israelis, the UN Secretary-General, EU Security and Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, the French Foreign Minster and Security Council members. In all those contacts the Egyptian diplomacy stressed the importance of enforcing a quick ceasefire, a quick deployment of UNIFIL in south Lebanon and a withdrawal of the Israeli troops. The Minister noted that Egypt and Iran were of the view that the Israeli troops' withdrawal from Lebanon should take place as soon as possible in order to guarantee a quick return of those who fled south Lebanon. Answering a question on Iran's nuclear file and relations with the United States, the Iranian Minister labeled as "natural" the accusations Washington leveled against his country. He pointed out that the Americans give themselves the right to possess nuclear weapons but deny others the right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Mottaki said the peoples of the region do not accept such logic that entitles the US Administration the right to plan for them and tell them what they should do. Asked whether Egypt was playing a mediatory role between Tehran and Washington, Abul Ghait replied in the negative. As for "Egypt's position vis-à-vis Iran's nuclear file, Abul -Gheit said that according to the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) every country has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Mottaki said that his country views Egypt as an important country in the region and always holds consultations with the Egyptian brothers on regional as well as international developments. He added that both countries adopt similar positions vis-à-vis several issues. The two countries have expressed their profound concern at the Israeli flagrant attacks on Lebanon, the killing of innocent civilians and devastation of Lebanon's infrastructure. In Rome Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema issued a joint statement earlier on Saturday to say Italy would take part in the force, which was approved by the U.N. Security Council on Friday. "We will probably be sending between 2,000 and 3,000 men from all the armed forces, said Forcieri undersecretary of state said. The U.N. resolution authorizes up to 15,000 U.N. troops to move into Lebanon to enforce a ceasefire in the conflict between Hezbollah guerrillas and Israel, expanding the existing U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Prodi and D'Alema's statement said Italy "has an interest in participating from the outset in the consultations that will be launched in coming days to determine the composition, structure and mandate of the force." They will meet Defence Minister Arturo Parisi for detailed discussions on the size and nature of Italy's contingent, Prodi told reporters. On the other hand a robust international force including troops from several European Union countries could be deployed in southern Lebanon "very, very quickly", the EU's foreign policy chief said on Sunday. "I've been speaking to several countries during the day and night and I think we will be able to guarantee that the force, as far as the Europeans are concerned, will be robust," Javier Solana told reporters in Jerusalem. On the other hand the EU has sent a memorandum to the US administration about the consequences that led to the war in the Middle East. Some reports said the US has been informed that the EU and Russia have lost patience regarding the situation in the Middle East. Meantime the Future bloc in Parliament, led by MP Saad Hariri, expressed full support for government efforts aimed at extending state authority over all Lebanese territories, and urged the international community to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. The bloc, which met in Koreitem, said national security should be handled by the state in the South and that the Lebanese Army and UN forces should deploy in the region to liberate it from Israel. Officials reaffirmed the need to implement the 1990 Taif Accord. MP Hariri, who later discussed with Mr. Geir Pederson, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's representative in Lebanon, Israel's continued siege of Lebanon and the cease-fire that took effect today, updated MPs on efforts underway to implement Security Council Resolution 1701, which was passed at the United Nations. MPs first observed a moment of silence to commemorate the martyrs who were killed by Israel's aggression. They praised head of the Future bloc's Arab and international efforts and contacts to end the war. The bloc also highlighted the steadfastness of the Lebanese and their commitment to national unity. They stressed that war displaced Lebanese should return to their homes and that the state should shoulder its responsibility of reconstructing damage caused by Israeli attacks. At the meeting, MPs reaffirmed their backing for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and his government's handling of Resolution 1701, which will reinstate sovereignty. They supported government measures that aim to extend state sovereignty over the south and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from lands occupied since July 12. They said the Army should be deployed and UN troops beefed up to liberate the region from Israel. MPs made clear that head of the Future bloc's main priority was stopping the war and that they will continue to work to reach a comprehensive solution that will avert another Israeli attack. They pointed out that all clauses in Resolution 1701 should be tackled, especially the issue of the occupied Shebaa Farms, and that Israel should deliver maps of landmines in the south and must liberate Lebanese detainees that it holds. Emphasizing the need of upholding national unity, the bloc said the main objective of Israel's aggression could have been eradicating the double success of liberation and reconstruction in the past two decades, championed by assassinated Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. MPs urged the Lebanese to remain vigilant in the face of plots to sow discord among them. They said the bloc will remain a force of liberation and reconstruction and will also exert all necessary efforts to reaffirm state sovereignty over all Lebanese territories. On the other hand the month-long Israeli bombardments inflicted material damages on Lebanon worth US$3.5 billion, the head of reconstruction in the country said. "The damage incurred amounts to US$3.5 billion dollars. This includes 2.0 billion for buildings and 1.5 billion for infrastructure," such as bridges, roads, and power plants, the head of Lebanon state council for development and reconstruction Fadl Shalak told AFP. He added that the figures, which do not include the indirect losses to business and industry, were still not final. Meanwhile, leading Lebanese businessmen and private companies pledged Wednesday to rebuild 12 of the 80 bridges destroyed by Israeli attacks. Legislator Bahia Hariri, sister of slain billionaire former Premier Rafik Hariri, said her family has committed to rebuilding five bridges in south Lebanon, including bridges linking the banks of the Awali River, north of Sidon, and Zahrani, south of the city. The Hariri group's Geneco company will begin work very soon, she conveyed. Parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri will finance the reconstruction of four bridges in the south, whereas his brother Bahaa will take charge of works on the Zahrani bridge, the Hariri-owned Future television said. Saad has also pledged to repair three other bridges in the northern Akkar region, the station added. Former premier Najib Mikati commissioned the public works company Dar al-Handassah to rebuild the Madfoun bridge, linking the capital with north Lebanon. The Mikati family is a major shareholder of telecommunications giant Investcom, with assets estimated at US$5 billion.