February 2, 2007

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES INVITES PALESTINIAN LEADERS TO HOLD AN URGENT MEETING AT THE GRAND MOSQUE IN MAKKAH TO STOP FIGHTING AND DISCUSS THEIR DIFFERENCES. THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP DISCUSSES THE AFFAIRS OF THE REGION WITH THE KUWAITI CROWN PRINCE. MESSAGES TO THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES FROM SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID, PRESIDENT MUBARAK AND PHONE CALLS FROM PAKISTAN'S PRESIDENT AND PREMIER AL SANIORA. THE LEBANESE LEADERS PRAISES THE GENEROUS SAUDI SUPPORT TO LEBANON IN PARIS III CONFERENCE. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz called on Palestinian leaders to hold an urgent meeting at the grand mosque in Makkah in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss their differences. In an urgent appeal to brothers of the Palestinian people, the King called for resorting to reason and dominance of language of dialogue over the language of arms, noting that what is happening on the Palestinian soil is a disgraceful act which has tarnished the history of honorable national struggle of the Palestinians who have been martyred for the liberation of their homeland from occupation. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, issued an urgent appeal to his brethren, the Palestinian people, in which he called upon them to allow wisdom to prevail, and to pursue dialogue over violence and force. In addition, King Abdullah also stated that the events taking place in Palestine are source of shame, which has tainted the historic and noble struggle of the Palestinian people who have sacrificed their lives to liberate their land from the yoke of occupation. King Abdullah continued by stating the following: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a government and as a people, will not stand by idly and witness, with great pain and sorrow, the fratricide taking place in Palestine. Our obligation as Muslims and Arabs require us to act. we are committed to our faith, Arabism and our values. it causes us great pain to see what is happening in Palestine; the land of Al-Aqsa mosque; the land of ascension; the first Qibla; the land of the third holiest mosque; the Palestine of Arabism and the history of sacrifice against occupation; the land of honour; hospitality and pride. "Upon this land has been unleashed a conflict that pits brother against brother, and which has resulted in bloodshed and destruction and the killing of innocent souls. As The Almighty God revealed in the holy Quran: (if a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is hell, to abide therein (forever): and the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him). "This grave crime, which has taken place among the Palestinians is without reason, and is in fact a slap in the face of the noble Palestinian struggle, which has claimed thousands of lives among our Palestinian brethren for the sake of liberating the land of Islam and Arabism, and for sake of freedom and independence". King Abdullah continued: "What is taking place in the fraternal land of Palestine serves only the interests of the enemies of Islam and the Arabs, and raises a thousand question-marks among the world community, which has looked upon our Palestinian cause with a sense of respect and justice. What do we tell those who stood by us and our cause, when they inquire about the bloodshed spilled by the Palestinian people? What excuse do we give for Palestinian killing Palestinian? Do those who use arms against their brethren not recall the saying of the Prophet (God's Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him): "a Muslim is forbidden from taking the life or property of another Muslim." or another saying: "whoever takes up arms against us, is not one of us." This can not be clearer. Whoever uses arms to destroy his brothers in faith, Arabism and destiny is a killer, and not of us. Such behaviour is not governed by logic or reason." The conflict between the Palestinian brethren is untenable, and if it is not ended immediately and effectively by those possessing wisdom in Palestine, it will drain all the gains realized by the Palestinian people in their struggle to date, and prevent them from realizing their hope of ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a free and independent state of Palestine. Neither we, nor any noble and just individual anywhere, will allow this to happen. As revealed in the holy Quran: "If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them." and also as revealed:" The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy." The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its government and people, firmly believes that its role in the Palestinian cause is a central, not a marginal one. This role is an historic one. It is a partnership in destiny that has been accorded seriousness since the formation of the third Saudi state, and the position taken by its founder, the late King Abdul Aziz, may God Bless his soul. Today, I rely upon the Almighty God, and call upon my Palestinian brethren with hope, desire and insistence to put an immediate end to this crisis. I also invite all of them, represented by their leaders, without bias towards any of them, to meet immediately in their second home, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the holy city of Makkah , to discuss the issues between them in an objective manner without any interference by outsiders so that we can achieve a result that is satisfactory to the Almighty God and that realizes the hopes and aspirations of the fraternal Palestinian people, the Islamic and Arab people, and all who have supported this noble cause. As the Almighty God is my witness, I have conveyed my concern and offered a suggestion. Their is no success without the Almighty God, and I rely upon him for guidance. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah welcomed the call extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for Palestinian leaders to hold a meeting at the grand mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss their differences. In an exclusive statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Haniyah lauded the monarch's keenness to heal fractures in the Palestinian arena, overcome differences and end internal fighting. In a prompt positive response to the king's appeal, Haniyah confirmed that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown continuous great concern over the Palestinian issue since the establishment of the kingdom by its founder late King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud who has shown serious positions in support of the Palestinian rights until the current era of King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. On his part, Haniyah confirmed his firm keenness to contain the crisis and restore tranquillity and stability in the Palestinian street to pave the way for enhancing the internal front and confront Israeli threats engulfing the Palestinian cause. He said the king's call for Palestinians to stop fighting each other emanates from the kingdom's concern over the Palestinian situation which ranks top of the kingdom's priorities. Haniyah also praised the historical Saudi positions in support of the Palestinian issue and people and enhancing the Palestinian steadfastness on their land, considering the kingdom Palestine's great fortress. Meanwhile the Palestinian ambassador to the kingdom Jamal Abdul-Latif Al Shobki expressed overwhelming pleasure of the invitation extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for Palestinian leaders to convoke in Makkah to discuss ways of ending fighting in the territories and reconcile. In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency, the ambassador said this sincere and blessed invitation reflects the feelings of the Saudi people and the Arab and Islamic nation. He expressed confidence that the king would spare no effort to provide support and patronage for the Palestinian issue, both politically and financially. This is the position of the kingdom since the days of its founder late King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the ambassador said, adding that the Palestinian people and their leadership would thank the Saudi leadership and people for this historic initiative. Palestinian Fatah movement has welcomed the initiative launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, calling on Palestinian leaders to meet in Makkah to discuss ways of ending Palestinian fighting each other. In a press statement, Ahmed Abdul Rahman, a senior official of Fatah, expressed hope that the appeal by King Abdullah would lead to overcoming internal Palestinian differences and emerging with a united national position on all issues on the table. He said that Fatah warmly welcomes the genuine initiative issued by a sincere Arab leader: King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. Abdul Rahman lauded the Saudi initiative as reflecting the keenness of the kingdom on the Palestinian cause and unity of Palestinian factions aiming at forging what could achieve the aspirations and hopes of the Palestinian people and Arab nation. On the other hand the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a message from Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak. The message was conveyed to the king by Omar Sulaiman, a Minister at the Egyptian Presidency, during an audience. The minister also conveyed greetings of the president to the king who in turn sent his greetings to the president. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz had received Omar Sulaiman, the Minister at the Egyptian Presidency. The reception was attended by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region ; Prince Bandar Ibn Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of the General Intelligence and a number of other princes. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a telephone call from President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the latest developments at the regional and international arenas. 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 conveyed to the king during his audience with Oman's Foreign Minister Youssef Bin Alawi Abdullah at the royal court at Al-Yamamah palace. The Minister conveyed to the king the greetings of Sultan Qaboos. In turn, the king sent his greetings to the Omani Sultan. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, a number of princes and officials. Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, had arrived on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He was received on his arrival by Prince Saud Al Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and Said bin Ali Al Kalbani, Sultanate's ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He was seen off from Muscat by Nassir Bin Khalfan Al Kharousi, head of protocols department at the Foreign Ministry, and Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman A'alim, Saudi ambassador to the Sultanate. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received a telephone call from Lebanon's Premier Fouad Al-Saniora. During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the latest developments at the regional and international arenas, particularly the situations in Lebanon and the Middle East. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his palace the Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Then they started their meeting. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Abul-Ilha Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Saud, Assistant Chief of General Intelligence; Prince General Mit'eb Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Chief of National Guard for Military Affairs; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, advisor to the king; Prince Dr. Bandar Bin Salman Bin Mohammed Al Saud, advisor to the king; ministers and senior protocol officials. On the Kuwait side, the meeting was attended by the Crown Prince's accompanying delegation. During the meeting, the overall incidents and developments at the Gulf, Arab, Islamic and international arenas were discussed as well as aspects of cooperation between the two countries in all fields in the benefit of the two countries and peoples. Then the king held a dinner party in honor of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation. Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah commended bilateral, strong and deep-rooted relations binding the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of his visit to the kingdom which is considered the first one after assuming his post as Crown Prince, he said that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries represent Kuwait's strategic depth particularly the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kuwaiti Crown Prince highlighted the kingdom's stance in support of Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, noting that the kingdom's stand will be unforgettable and will be remembered by generation after generation. Sheikh Nawaf indicated that his visit to the kingdom came to emphasize the importance of the kingdom's position under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General held at his palace a luncheon party in honour of Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Premier Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the accompanying delegation. The party was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, a number of princes, ministers and senior officials. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Crown Prince, accompanied by Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, arrived on a visit to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed at Riyadh airbase airport by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, a number of other princes and senior officials. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Crown Prince, accompanied by Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, left after a visit to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was seen off at Riyadh airbase airport by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the governor of Riyadh region, and a number of senior officials. On the other hand the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at the royal court at Al-Yamamah palace the diplomatic credentials of a number of ambassadors of Arab, Islamic and friendly countries accredited to the kingdom. the credentials were from ambassadors of Mauritania, Germany, Gambia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Chad, Sweden, Kenya, Tanzania, Romania, Iran, Philippines, South Africa, and Slovenia (as non-resident ambassador). The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the new ambassadors, wishing them a good stay in the kingdom. The king stressed the kingdom's full cooperation with them and provision of all facilities to perform their missions easily, wishing the ambassadors all success. The king also sent his greetings to the leaders of their countries. On their part, the ambassadors conveyed to the king the greetings of their leaders, wishing the king and the kingdom all success. The ceremony was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, a number of princes and officials. On the Lebanese arena in an unprecedented move, international donors pledged some 7.6 billion US dollars in aid, loans and other help for Lebanon and the economic reform plans of its government. Conference donors also sent strong signals of support for Saniora's government and blended aid announcements with warnings that Lebanon's difficulties could, if unresolved, thwart hopes for peace in the Middle East. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the biggest backer for Lebanon as it pledged one billion and one hundred million dollars, with its Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal stressing on the importance of supporting the Arab initiative. Thirty-five nations were represented at the conference. Meanwhile the Chairman of Lebanese Parliamentary Future Bloc Representative MP Saad Al-Hariri expressed his thanks to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud for Saudi generous assistance provided to Lebanon at Paris III conference. In a statement, Al-Hariri said that the king has expressed his noble feelings and has shown unlimited generosity towards Lebanon, noting that the Monarch has set an example of the faithful Arabs who have supported Lebanon and healed its wounds. He also thanked all Arab gulf leaders and countries which have contributed to the success of the conference. The Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmad Fatfat said that the stand of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz by Lebanon, is more than distinguished and shows the deep Saudi towards Lebanon over the sixty years of our history, through the Kingdom's support for civil peace and national reconciliation and in particular the persistent efforts exerted today to try to heal the rift in the Lebanese arena. MP Boutros Harb said this is not new for Saudi Arabia to stand by Lebanon and to support and help solve its political and economic problems. The Kingdom all throughout the history of our relationship sympathizes with the Lebanese people to the maximum limits. Saudi Arabia did not hesitate to do what it can to assist Lebanon, and still keeps its role. We cannot forget what it did when hosted the Taif conference and was able to assist Lebanon in setting up the national charter to stop the war in addition to what was done during the war in July. Harb said the Saudi assistance and its donation of of one billion and one hundred million dollars represents the full Saudi solidarity with Lebanon and its people, and the Lebanese feel that what is being done by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a debt they owe to the Kingdom, and they pray for the Saudi monarch and the people of the Kingdom for continued progress, prosperity, tranquillity and development. The Lebanese people hope that the Saudi efforts to help find a way out of the crisis in Lebanon will continue through communication efforts undertaken by all the fronts, especially today with the state of Iran in order to ease the tension and help develop a plan to emerge from the crisis in the country. George Adwan MP for the (Lebanese Forces bloc), said that Saudi Arabia always stood by Lebanon and the Lebanese. Each time Lebanon encountered difficulties and problems the Kingdom comes to the assistance of the Lebanese and plays a role to bridge the gap in viewpoints and to find a possible settlement between the Lebanese to preserve Lebanon's peace. The deputy in the (Democratic Forum) bloc Wa'il Abu-Fa'ur said : "What happened is not new to the Kingdom, which has long been a strong support to Lebanon and the Lebanese people and is one of few countries that helped Lebanon without asking for any political return long before the Taif Agreement, then with the Taif agreement with the final stage which was during the war in July and today's crisis. For his part, the Deputy of the Democratic Meeting bloc Eli Aun said : "Saudi Arabia did not hesitate to support Lebanon. The Kingdom is a brotherly country and has proved throughout that it stands by Lebanon and its assistance in the recent Paris III is the biggest proof. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is and has always been Lebanon's elder brother and we express our love and appreciation, especially to His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. Former Deputy Tamam Salam said that the role of Saudi Arabia in support of Lebanon is not new, this a long tradition since the days of King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who supported Lebanon all along. We in Lebanon have special experience and standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, which the Kingdom has shown on several occasions and during the difficult circumstances in Lebanon. We in Lebanon can not forget the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the generous donation he made to help Lebanon rebuild its economy.