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February 9, 2007 |
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***** The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his palace UN Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres and the accompanying delegation currently on a visit to the kingdom. At the outset of the audience, Guterres expressed his appreciation of and thanks to the King for receiving them, commending the kingdom's support for and contributions to the commission's humanitarian programs and activities in various parts of the world. The Monarch wished the commission all success in its humanitarian efforts and acts all over the world. The Monarch decorated Guterres with King Abdul Aziz medal of second class in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence and Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Saudi Red Crescent Society. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse on the anniversary of his country's independence day. The King wished the President permanent good health and happiness and his friendly people steady progress and prosperity. A similar cable of congratulations was also sent to the Sri Lankan President on this occasion by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation, and Inspector General, received Afghanistan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Mohammed Kabeer Farahi on the occasion of the end of his term of office in the Kingdom. The meeting was attended by Chief of the Crown Prince's Court Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Hudaithi and Special Secretary of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salem Al-Meri. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation, and Inspector General, received at the royal court at Al-Yamamah palace UN higher commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres and the accompanying delegation. Guterres expressed his appreciation of and thanks to the Crown Prince for receiving them, emphasizing the importance of the kingdom's great role in supporting and contributing to the commission's humanitarian programs and activities in various parts of the world. The audience was attended by Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Saudi Red Crescent Society and a number of officials. Crown Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Center for Science & Technology (SciTech) affiliated to Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals is one of the main projects of Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Foundation. It represents another generous donation by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to the people of Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince genuine interest in the welfare and educational and scientific development of Saudi Arabia, and especially its youth, has initiated the idea of building a state-of-the-art science and technology center in the city of Khobar, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Prince Sultan also realized the crucial role that science centers do play in enhancing science education, as well as exciting youngsters about the fields of science and technology and ultimately encouraging them to make career choices in these important fields. The Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Science & Technology Center aims at providing all the necessary facilities that help its visitors in educating themselves about science and technology. It uses interactive and hands-on exhibits that engages visitors and makes science learning a family, enjoyable experience. Its library and educational facilities complement its exhibits by offering programs and resources that educate the visitors about certain fields of science and technology in which they are interested. Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz Science & Technology Center (SciTech) is one of the major projects executed by Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Foundation; the center is 14,100 M2 concrete building built using state of the art technologies and architect designs on an area of 21,700 M2. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of the General Intelligence, washed the Holy Kaaba as it is customary every year. He was welcomed at the Holy Mosque by a number of senior officials. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE's Foreign Minister, and a number of officials as well as a group of citizens participated in the washing of the Holy Kaaba. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Miqren expressed happiness over washing the Holy Kaaba, and said the Saudi officials are keen on the service of the Two Holy Mosques. On the call of the King to the Palestinian leaders to hold a meeting in the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba , Prince Miqren said this was aimed at serving the Palestinian people in particular and the Muslims in general. US President George W. Bush received at the White House Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America at the end of his term of office. During the meeting, Prince Turki conveyed to President Bush the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and his best wishes of steady progress for the us people. in turn, president bush sent his greetings and best wishes of steady progress and prosperity for the King and the Saudi people. President Bush emphasized the importance and strength of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, expressing his appreciation of the Monarch and the Crown Prince for their positive efforts in dealing with the issues that threaten security and stability in the Middle East. The US President expressed his appreciation of the Prince, wishing him all success in his next missions. President Bush commended the role played by Prince Turki Al-Faisal during his term of office as Saudi Ambassador to the USA and his contribution to enhancing cooperation and understanding between the kingdom and USA. On his part, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, expressed his appreciation of and thanks to President Bush and the US administration for their good cooperation and favourable response to him during his term of office which have facilitated his mission and enhanced cooperation and understanding between the kingdom and USA for the joint interests of the two friendly countries. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed joint efforts of the two countries in solving the issues of the region in light of the current developments. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Turki Al-Faisal expressed his appreciation of and thanks to the US people for warm welcome during his tours of nearly 25 states, noting that the results of his tours have emphasized the desire of the US people for increasing the bridges of understanding, cooperation and acquaintance between the two friendly countries in a way different from stereotyped images being transmitted by the media. Prince Turki praised continued, strong and firm relations between the two countries for over 70 years, affirming that these relations aim to achieve joint interests of the two countries to serve the issues of world peace and security and just issues of Arab and Muslim nations and to achieve security and stability for the peoples of the Middle East emanating from the fixed principles of the kingdom's policies. Prince Mishal Bin Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz. Governor of Najran region chaired the first meeting of the Council for the fiscal year 1427 / 1428 H, at the headquarters of the Principality in Najran. The Prince started the meeting speech in which he praised the care accorded by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, and his Crown Prince to all areas of the Kingdom. He said the development and progress achieved in the Kingdom are the result of this care which started since the foundation of the Kingdom by King Abdul Aziz and throughout the different eras that followed with the rule of his sons until today. Saudi security forces arrested 10 people on suspicion of having illegally collected donations to fund "suspicious parties" that use the money to deceive and send Saudis to "disturbed areas," an Interior Ministry statement said yesterday. Seven Saudis and a foreigner were arrested at a rest house in the east of Jeddah, according to sources. Two other Saudis were arrested in Madinah, said Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki. He did not provide additional information on the detainees' identities. The suspects are undergoing interrogation, he said. Al-Turki told Arab News that the money was collected and smuggled to "suspicious parties" outside the country but he did not name any country. He added that investigations were still going on in order to discover the methods used in collecting the donations and if there were other individuals involved. "We know of the group's activity as a whole but we also need to define the role of each of the arrested members," Al-Turki added. The ministry statement, which apparently refers to Iraq, said: "Security forces, in the framework of their efforts to fight terrorism and its funding have arrested a group of suspects believed to be responsible for collecting donations illegally and smuggling the money to suspicious groups that use it in deceiving the sons of this nation and dragging them to disturbed areas." The statement said that action would be taken against the guilty. The Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Imigrants Tariq Mitri Has described the talks held between the Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Aherm as very positive and fruitful. In a joint press conference held with the Irish Minister the Lebanese Minister stressed the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701. Lebanese President , Emile Lahoud has condemned the continuation of the Israeli land and air violation of the Lebanese southern borders demanding Israel to fully implement the UN. Security Council Resolution 1701. During his meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda, Lahoud expressed surprise over not moving to the second stage of the implementation of Resolution 1701 which stipulates the total cessation of hostilities, calling for a quick UN action in that direction. He stressed that the Israeli planting of thousands of cluster bombs in south Lebanon just before two days of enforcing Resolution 1701 proved the hatred that Israel harbours for the Lebanese people who defeated the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. He expressed Lebanon's support to all the efforts which are being exerted to revive the Middle East peace process based on the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah Khatib said in a lecture delivered in Future Builders Foundation in Amman entitled "The Middle East at Present", Jordan's foreign policy fully enjoys harmony between its interests as a state and as a country it preserves its and its citizens' rights. He also added that Jordan defends the issues of Arab nations. Jordan, Foreign Minister added, positively contributes to solving these issues. Khatib said: "There is an int'l consensus that the Palestinian issue is the core of the conflict in the Middle East", he added the continued denial of Palestinian rights is a fire starter for global and regional crises, crises that are arising more frequently, with greater destruction. Khatib added that the region will not achieve regional security until we focus on the core issue in the Middle East, an issue that has posed an ongoing challenge to international peace and order. And that is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Khatib called on the Palestinian factions to avert Palestinian civil war by putting aside their difference and unify there stance for the benefit of the national interests. He added Jordan regrets for the infighting between Palestinian factions. On Iraq, Khatib noted that Iraq is an important part of this region that it can keep the equilibrium and stability in the region. He added that if Iraq is divided the balance will be shook and the region will lose the opportunity of stability. On Lebanon, Khatib underlined the importance of national coexistence among Lebanese and it is not Arab nation's interest to witness sectarian conflict any where in the Arab world. Jordan, Khatib noted, deals with different issues forefront which is Palestinian issue from its keenness to serve the Arab capability to deal with these issues. He noted that states deal with such issues from their national interests. In this respect there is no contradiction between Jordanian national interest and serving the Palestinian issue, keenness on Iraq unity Iraq, and Lebanese unity. On a response to a question on the Arab League initiative, Khatib remarked that Jordan extremely back it and all Arab countries support it. Three Palestinian resistance groups warned of Israeli constructions beneath the Al-Aqsa mosque in the occupied east Jerusalem, vowing they would heighten resistance against the Israeli occupation. The three groups identified as the An-Nasser Salaheldin Brigades, the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the Mujahideen Brigades, vowed they would retaliate to underway Israeli actions beneath the Al-Aqsa mosque, intended at building a synagogue. Spokesman of the Salaheldin Brigades, Abu Mojahed, said in a press conference in Gaza "harming the Al-Aqsa Mosque would mean harming the Muslim nation; therefore retaliation to Israeli actions there would not be limited to specific boundaries." Abu Mojahed called on all Islamic countries and organizations to intervene immediately to prevent the destruction of the 'Islamic heritage' in the holy city of Jerusalem. Israeli authorities in the occupied east Jerusalem commenced recently construction works beneath the Al-Aqsa mosque of Jerusalem, believed to be foundations for a Jewish synagogue. Such constructions have cast concerns for almost 1.4 billon Muslims worldwide that the mosque, considered third holy place, would collapse. In a related action, the Israeli authorities also barred access of Palestinians of less than 45 year-old into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit expressed "shock and pain" over the killings and horrible destruction currently taking place in Iraq. Scores of innocent Iraqis are being killed and wounded in the ongoing acts of violence carried out by some groups that do not belong to the Iraqi people or any religion, he said. Speaking to diplomatic editors, Abul Gheit said he fully condemned such savage acts that spread panic, cause division among the Iraqis and push the country into a civil war. Abul Gheit underlined the importance of preserving the unity of Iraq, saying this will only take place through a national reconciliation process that would take into consideration every side's interests. He warned that the situation in Iraq was starting to take a serious curve unless all powers resorted to dialogue and reconciliation. He reiterated Egypt's support of Iraq and its rejection of violence and terrorism. Egypt's Manpower Minister Aisha Abdul-Hadi and her accompanying delegation arrived in an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On arrival at King Khaled international airport, the Egyptian minister was received by Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Labor and Fawzi Al-Ashmawi, the Egyptian Consul General. In an arrival statement to SPA, the Egyptian minister said that this visit comes to strengthen the relationship between the two ministries of both countries. 'Talks in Riyadh are expected to come out with fruitful results in the field of labor,' said Aisha Abdul-Hadi. For his part, Al-Gosaibi pointed out that one of the main topics to be negotiated during this visit is manpower, stressing that Egyptian laborers are regarded as partners in various developmental fields in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, the Minister of Labor, met with Egypt's Manpower Minister Aisha Abdul-Hadi. During the meeting, they reviewed topics of mutual concern and discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the labor issues. The meeting was attended by a number of officials from both sides. The third meeting of senior officials of foreign ministries of Arab and Latin American countries has approved joint action plans for further cooperation between the two sides in preparation for the Second Arab-Latin American Summit. Briefing reporters after the conclusion of the meeting in Cairo , director of the AL Two Americas Department Ibrahim Mohieddin said the conferees agreed on convening the coming meeting of foreign ministers of both sides in Argentina. They decided that Egypt would host the meeting of social affairs ministers on May 2 and 3 that would discuss poverty alleviation and fulfilment of the UN millennium development goals, he pointed out. Under a decision by the meeting, the environment ministers of both sides will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday and the ministers of economy will meet in Morocco on April 23 and 24. The conferees worked out a plan for cementing economic, trade and investment cooperation between the Arab and Latin American countries and the plan will be tabled to the ministerial meeting in Morocco, Mohieddin added. The meeting approved Saudi Arabia's proposal to host a meeting of ministers responsible for water resources and desertification. In July, Bolivia will host a meeting that will prepare the agenda of the Second Arab-Latin American Summit, to be held in Morocco, and follow up the implementation of resolution of the First Arab-Latin American Summit, held in Brazil in May, 2005. As for the political coordination between the Arab League and Latin America, the meeting highlighted the necessity of reviving the stalled Middle East peace process on all tracks of talks in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy, the reference of Madrid peace conference, the land-for-peace principle and the Arab peace initiative. The conferees reasserted Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, renewed support for Iraqi national reconciliation and condemned strongly all kinds of terrorism. Regarding Lebanon, the meeting pledged political and economic support for the Lebanese government and people to preserve Lebanon's political stability and national unity. The meeting hailed regional and international endeavours to solve the conflict in Darfur, west Sudan and urged the warring parties there to comply with the Abuja Peace Accord and adopt dialogue as a means for solving disputes. It also underscored the necessity of national dialogue to achieve reconciliation in Somalia and restore security and stability to the war-torn Arab country. The conferees renewed commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urged for declaring the Middle East a nuclear-free region. The meeting also reasserted support for the efforts of the United Nations and its affiliate agencies to reform the global organisation. A ninth person has been arrested in connection with a plot to bring Iraqi kidnap and murder tactics to Britain. The suspect was detained by anti-terror police on the motorway in the Birmingham area. It follows dawn raids across the city by Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police. A British Muslim soldier is thought to have been singled out as the target of a terror cell in Birmingham. Security sources say the gang was going to video him pleading with Tony Blair to pull troops out of Iraq before beheading him. The serviceman, in his twenties, is now under police guard. The plot was described as a "chilling" attempt to import "Ken Bigley-style" terror methods to Britain. A British Muslim soldier is thought to have been singled out as the target of a terror cell in Birmingham. Eight suspects were arrested in raids on 12 addresses in Birmingham's "balti triangle" in what the Home Office said was a "major" operation. Seven of those arrested were said to be British-born Muslims and the other a Pakistani. One source said: "This plot represents a staggering new departure in terrorist tactics in the UK. Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The message was conveyed by Dr Kim Howells, minister of state and Commonwealth at the British Foreign Office, who is currently visiting the Sultanate, when Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers, received him. Sayyid Fahd welcomed him and his delegation. The British minister conveyed the greetings of the prime minister and the government in the UK to the Sultan, his government and the Omani people, expressing Britain's appreciation and its admiration of the wise leadership pursued by the Sultanate at the domestic and foreign arenas and its pioneered role in fostering bonds of friendship with his country and other countries of the world. He said the British government looked forward to further cooperation in fields that serve joint interest of the two countries. The meeting also reviewed current developments of concern to the region and the latest developments at the regional and international arenas. Sayyid Fahd requested Dr Howells to convey the greetings of the Sultan to the leadership in the UK along with the Sultan's best wishes to them and the British people further progress and prosperity. The meeting was attended by Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, and the British ambassador to the Sultanate. The Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the murder of Saudi businessman Jamal Al-Khalifah in Madagascar in a statement. As soon as it received the news of Al-Khalifah's death, the Ministry said it contacted authorities in Madagascar via the Saudi Embassy in Tanzania to request more information about the crime and those responsible. In addition, the Kingdom requested the coroner's report. In the statement, the Foreign Ministry also extended its condolences to Al-Khalifah's family and relatives. The Muscat Festival 2007, a month-long cultural extravaganza which kicked off on January 1, concluded here yesterday. The festival activities, performed by local, Arab and artistes from nations across the world, attracted 2,362,011 visitors from within and outside the Sultanate. Stage shows, featuring a bevy of artistes from Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, Syria and some of the well-known names in the Indian film world, were the highlights of the festival this time which was held under the slogan 'Living Culture and Family Fun'. It lived up to the name of Muscat Festival as being a window to the cultural richness of the country with emphasis on the various aspects of the culture, past and present. Apart from showcasing the various aspects of Omani culture, the festival also showcased the heritage and culture of nearby regions as well. Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora said the code of honour that was signed by previous Lebanese leaders is a good step forward and needs to be respected by all parties. A statement read by legislator Antoine Zahra following the meeting said that "the only way out of the current stalemate gripping the country is to resort to constitutional institutions." Yemen's foreign minister Dr Abu Bakr al-Qirbi has made it clear that what the US department of State did with the Yemeni ambassador to Washington was a provocation rather than summoning regarding what happened with the Jewish community in north of Yemen. Dr al-Qirbi told almotamar.net the American State Department provoked ambassador Abdulwahaab al-Hijri with regard to what happened to the Jews in Yemen in the events of Saada last January. The Yemeni ambassador to Washington affirmed to the US State Department that the sons of the Jewish community in Yemen are Yemeni citizens the constitution and the law guarantee to them their rights as Yemeni citizens without discrimination. The foreign minister stressed that the Yemeni ambassador had clarified the facts so that the events cannot be exploited in offending Yemen. Russian Ambassador Sergei Bukin to Lebanon has confirmed his country's support to all international resolutions related to the killing of former Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri. He also stressed that the international trial must be established. Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Yahya al-Motawakel said that the ministry would complete in the few coming weeks the agreements with the Gulf and other regional funds on the financial appropriations approved for the investment program. Al-Motawakel said that mutual visits would be exchanged between Yemen and the funds to coordinate measures to bring such agreements into effect as fast as possible. He pointed out that the Gulf and regional funds committed in the Donors Conference in London to pay $2.5 billion to finance investment program that includes 85 projects in infrastructure, human resources, productive sectors and public services. Sri Lanka's President, Minister of Finance and Planning Mahinda Rajapakse met with Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mohammed Bin Mahmoud Al-Ali. The Ambassador handed over the President a letter addressed from Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf, the Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Development Fund which approved a loan of SR 75 million to finance the project of epilepsy hospital and health centers and another loan of SR 11 million to develop medical services in Colombo. The Sri Lankan President expressed his best thanks to the Saudi government under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for this financial support and the kingdom's contributions and positions in support of developmental projects in Sri Lanka. Tony Blair refused to bring forward his plans to leave office because of the cash for honours investigation, declaring: "You will have to put up with me for a bit longer." But Mr Blair appeared to acknowledge the damage the police inquiry was doing to his reputation when he refused to repeat the assurance he gave after the Bernie Ecclestone affair at the beginning of his premiership that he believed the public saw him as a "pretty straight kind of guy". Interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Blair said he was now a different sort of person. He was not going to "beg for my character in front of anyone". "I am not going to get into a situation where I am pleading for my integrity, not even in front of the British public," he said. Mr Blair said he would be happy to speak publicly about the cash-for-honours affair once the police inquiry is over, which he indicated he expected in a few weeks' time. He denied that he was being distracted from his work by the ongoing police investigation. He repeated his pledge to leave as Prime Minister before the end of this Parliament, but insisted there were still initiatives - including health service reforms - which he wanted to see through before going. Mr Blair acknowledged that his presumed successor, Chancellor Gordon Brown, was also capable of leading the reform process, but said that allowing a police inquiry to force him out early would not be "a very democratic way to decide who is Prime Minister". He urged people to wait until the end of the police inquiry before coming to conclusions about whether anyone has done anything wrong. He indicated that he expects the inquiry, headed by the Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner John Yates, to come to an end within weeks. And he said he would be happy to speak publicly about the cash-for-honours affair once that process was over, but declined to discuss in detail his two police interviews at this stage. When it was over, he said, he would be perfectly happy to answer questions about the affair, and he urged the public not to believe all the allegations that were "ricocheting" around the media in recent weeks. Some of which were "completely untrue". After his meeting with Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman delivered a statement in which he reiterated the support of the United States for the Lebanese people and for a democratic Lebanon, in which the Lebanese people can resolve their differences peacefully and democratically. My meeting with the Speaker is one of a number of calls I am making on Lebanese from across the political spectrum. The United States is a steadfast friend of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. Like other members of the international community, we hope the Lebanese people will choose dialogue over violence to move forward. And while the United States stands ready to assist the Lebanese people in achieving their vision of a stable, prosperous and democratic Lebanon, it has no intention of usurping the right of the Lebanese people to determine their own future for themselves. The United States strongly supports Arab and international initiatives to encourage peaceful resolution of Lebanon's political problems, but we also believe that the foundation for solutions must begin with wise choices of the Lebanese people make for themselves. For example, we believe that the Lebanese have a responsibility to talk and listen to each other directly, not simply through the media. The Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Deputy received the Israeli Premier Shimon Peres in the presence of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud. The Israeli radio said discussions dealt with the Israeli embargo on all contacts with the Hamas government. The radio announce that the Emir said that Israel must open communications with Hamas. The Palestinian government welcomed the position of the Development Committee of the British House of Commons which criticized the boycott imposed on the Palestinian government and considered that it was a courageous step. The Palestinian government called in a statement on the European Union to review its policy with the government and end the boycott and political isolation. |