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February 16, 2007 |
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THE CROWN PRINCE REVIEWS BILATERAL COOPERATION WITH THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER. PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL: RUSSIA IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY AND COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN THIS RESPECT WOULD BE LIKE COOPERATION IN ANY OTHER SPHERE. LEBANON CELEBRATES THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF PREMIER RAFIQ AL-HARIRI'S KILLING. THE SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON CONDEMNS THE EXPLOSIONS OF THE TWO BUSES AND CALLS ON LEBANESE TO PRESERVE THEIR NATIONAL UNITY. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has received a message from Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih. The message was delivered to the king by Yemen's Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Major General Dr. Rashad Al-Olaimi during an audience at the king's office. The audience was also attended by Dr. Al-Olaimi's accompanying delegation During the audience, Dr. Al-Olaimi conveyed to King Abdullah the greetings of President Ali Abdullah Salih of Yemen. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings to the president of Yemen. The audience was attended by Prince General Mit'eb Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Higher Steering Committee of the festival, and Mohammed Ali Al-Ahwal, Ambassador of Yemen to the kingdom. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his office Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Heir Apparent of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Commander-In-Chief of Bahrain Defense Force, and his accompanying delegation. During the audience, Sheikh Salman conveyed to King Abdullah the greetings of King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, king of Bahrain. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings to the Bahraini monarch. During the reception, the overall incidents and developments in the region as well as aspects of cooperation between the two countries were reviewed. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh region; Prince General Mit'eb Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Higher Steering Committee of the festival; and Bahrain's Charge d'Affaires in the kingdom Salah Abdul Rahman Al-Ahmed. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has received a message from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The message was delivered to the king by Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, member of the executive council of the emirate of Abu-Dhabi during an audience at the king's office. The audience was also attended by Sheikh Saeed's accompanying delegation During the audience, Sheikh Saeed conveyed to King Abdullah the greetings of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the UAE. In turn, King Abdullah sent his greetings to the President of UAE. The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Sattam Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince General Mit'eb Bin Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Higher Steering Committee of the festival. On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zibari and the accompanying delegation. They reviewed aspects of cooperation between the kingdom and Iraq. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Yemeni Parliament's Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Hussein Al-Ahmar. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Commander of the American Central Command General John Abi Zaid and the accompanying delegation. They reviewed issues of mutual interest. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Sherard Cowper-Coles on the occasion of the end of his term of office in the country. They reviewed issues of mutual interest. On another development Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, has expressed the satisfaction of the Saudi government on the outcome of the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the kingdom. He underlined the importance of cementing Saudi Russian relations in the various domains. On the Palestinian issue, he thanked Almighty Allah for the agreement signed by the Palestinian leaders to stop fighting and to form a government of national unity. At his press briefing, Prince Saud hoped that the agreement reached by the Palestinian leaders would obtain the required international support. Prince Saud condemned the digging operations by Israel in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa mosque. He also slammed the blast incidents which took place in Lebanon, and hoped that the Lebanese leaders would solve their problems through dialogue. On Iraq, Prince Saud hoped that the ongoing efforts to enhance the pillars of security and stability in the country would be culminated in success. Prince Saud said Russia is one of the countries which have nuclear industry, and added that cooperation with Russia in this respect would be like cooperation in any other sphere. He noted that the GCC leaders at the summit of Jaber, held in Riyadh, had approved the principle of using nuclear energy in line with the protocols of the treaty of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. On the security fence along the Saudi Iraqi borders, he said arrangements would be taken to prevent infiltration across the borders. Prince Saud said Iran is an important country in the region, and added 'so it will be a normal matter when we discuss with it issues of mutual interest'. He noted that Iran had expressed anxiety over the division of the Muslim world into Sunnah and Shiites. 'We also feel anxious about this matter, and hope that such a development will not take place'. We are awaiting deeds from the side of Iran', he noted. On the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to persuade the international parties to support Makkah agreement, Prince Saud said the agreement signed by the Palestinian leaders stands as a guarantee for the Palestinian concord. It is hoped that the siege imposed on the Palestinians would be lifted', he added. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. During the meeting, they discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations as well as the latest developments at the Iraqi arena. Also, Prince Saud received Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, held a dinner party in honor of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri currently on a visit to the Kingdom . The party was attended by Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Khaled Al-Qusaibi, a number of officials and delegations accompanying the two ministers. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest. Prince Saud also received Commander of the U.S. Central Command General John Abi Zaid. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest. The meetings were attended by an number of officials. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari arrived in Riyadh. At the airport, the Iraqi minister and the accompanying delegation were received by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and other officials. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that he was hopeful that Saudi Arabia would help restore full diplomatic relations by opening its missions in his country "at the time it finds most suitable." "We have taken the first initiative in re-establishing full diplomatic missions after 17 years, by opening our embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday and consulate on Wednesday. We hope the Kingdom will follow suit," the minister said at the formal opening of the Iraqi Consulate General. "With the reopening of our missions in the Kingdom, we are able to extend our hands of friendship, which will help resolve a number of key issues," he said. "The presence of the consulate here essentially will help us streamline the Hajj and Umrah traffic from Iraq." Since the closure of its diplomatic missions in the Kingdom and elsewhere after the Gulf War in the 1990s, Iraq has been encountering many difficulties, he said. "I am personally pleased that we have taken the first step in re-establishing our missions here. We hope to reopen our missions elsewhere in the Arab world, the Middle East and also in many countries worldwide," he said. Speaking to reporters later, the minister said Iraqis favored the presence of American forces in their country due to security considerations. Asked whether he had discussed with Saudi authorities the Kingdom's plans for reopening diplomatic missions in Iraq, the minister said: "We want the Kingdom to follow suit whenever it finds feasible. We've taken the initiative because we need to address our pressing needs." "Due to lack of cooperation, and lack of coordination, the two countries have not been able to help one another in many matters," he said, adding that there was greater need for intelligence sharing. He said the reopening of the embassy was based on an initiative from the Iraqi government to restore full diplomatic relations with Arab and Islamic countries, Saudi Arabia being the first. Muhammad A. Tayeb, Director General of the Foreign Ministry in the Makkah region, speaking as the guest of honor, congratulated the Iraqi government on opening their missions after a long gap of time. "The development will surely go a long way in further improving bilateral ties," he said. Iraqi Consul General Ajwad A. Taha Hamed in his welcome address described the opening of the consulate as an important step toward strengthening bilateral relations. Invitees included consuls general from various countries, members of the Iraqi community and local businessmen. Meanwhile Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki announced on Wednesday the official launching of the much-vaunted new security plan for Iraq against a background of continuing violence and loss of lives. Speaking during a visit to Kerbala, 100 kilometres south of Baghdad, Al-Maliki said the new security plan was a good and vital chance for the Iraqis to build their homeland. "The launch of the security plan is a message to all those who rebelled against the law," he said, adding that the plan was applicable to all religious and ethnic communities in the country, with no exception. The new security initiative, proposed by the Iraqi premier, had been informally in effect since February 6 with operations carried out under its aegis by Iraqi troops backed by multinational forces in Baghdad and its neighbouring cities In Lebanon Premier Fuad Al-Siniorah received the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdul Aziz Khojah. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the latest internal developments in Lebanon. Following the meeting, the Premier said he was optimistic on reaching a solution for the current Lebanese crisis. Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdul Aziz Khojah condemned the bombing of the two buses which occurred in Lebanon. In a radio interview, he expressed deep concern for the sinful attack which came at a time when Lebanon began to proceed toward calm and peace. The Ambassador called on the Lebanese to stick to their national unity and solidarity to overcome the difficulties facing them and to safeguard their country, Lebanon. He hoped that Lebanon would recover and the Lebanese people would be inspired by the sacrifices and stands made by the late Lebanese Premier Rafiq Al Hariri to help their country recover and start rebuilding, expressing optimism about the future of Lebanon. Lebanese Premier Fouad Al-Siniora commended the kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for the efforts being exerted to assist Lebanon to get out of its predicament and to support the initiative of Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa for solving the Lebanese political crisis. In a speech, he praised the kingdom's support for Lebanon in reconstruction and for assisting the Lebanese people following the destructive war launched by Israel on Lebanon last summer. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora vowed to pursue the "terrorists" behind Tuesday's deadly bus bombings in Ain Alaq, which he said were perpetrated by the same forces who murdered former Premier Rafik Hariri in 2005. "We will not be scared or terrorized, and we will pursue the criminal terrorists" responsible for the bombings, Siniora said in a television address. "We will not give up our determination to reach justice. We are determined to uncover the killers and deter the criminals." Three were killed and at least 23 wounded in the morning attacks, which targeted two commuter buses. Siniora pledged to pursue "the sinners who assassinated Hariri and his companions, and continued this criminal scenario ... with the crime perpetrated today." On the other hand in a press statement members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the 13 February targeted attacks on two public buses that killed at least three people and caused injury to several others in the north-east area of Beirut. They expressed their sincere sympathy and condolences to the families of those killed and injured and to the people and the Government of Lebanon. The members of the Security Council welcomed the determination of the Lebanese Government to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this and other terrorist attacks. They determined that this terrorist attack, which occurred on the eve of the second anniversary of the assassination of the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, represented a new pernicious attempt to undermine security and all the efforts aimed at preserving stability in the country. The members of the Security Council reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of any attempt to destabilize Lebanon, and recalled their determination to continue to assist the Government of Lebanon in the search for the truth and in holding accountable all those involved in this terrorist attack, as well as in other terrorist attacks and assassinations committed in Lebanon since October 2004. There must be no impunity for such heinous acts. The members of the Security Council called upon all parties in Lebanon and in the region to show restraint and a sense of responsibility with a view to preventing any further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon. They appealed to all Lebanese to continue to maintain national unity in the face of such attempts to undermine the country's stability. The members of the Security Council also appealed to all Lebanese parties to continue the political dialogue with a view to finding agreed solutions to outstanding issues. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their previous calls upon all parties concerned to cooperate fully and urgently for the full implementation of all relevant resolutions concerning the restoration of the territorial integrity, full sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon, in particular resolutions 1559 (2004), 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005), 1664 (2005), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006). The members of the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to continue to follow closely and report regularly to the Council on the situation in Lebanon. They underlined their readiness to continue to act in support of the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Lebanon. In Beirut Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Hariri appealed for national unity and dialogue and said the political crisis can be resolved through a "courageous" decision to protect Lebanon by creating an international tribunal to try the suspects in Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination. Addressing a massive rally in downtown Beirut that marked the killing two years ago of his late father, MP Hariri also said a unity government representing all parliamentary blocs will bring stability. Paying tribute to the "heroes" who converged on Beirut for the commemoration, Head of the Future Bloc said the event was yet another sign that the Lebanese are committed to freedom, independence, justice and the tribunal's creation, to end terrorist attacks that have killed figures defending Lebanon in the past three decades. MP Hariri stressed that despite attempts to paralyze the country and its institutions, the tribunal will soon be formed. He also said unity and coexistence will prevail, with the support of Arabs and the international community, as was evident during Israel's aggression in the summer and the recent Paris III international donors conference. Head of the Future Bloc made clear that Lebanon will emerge victorious and its enemies will fall. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese converged on Beirut from across the country to mark the second anniversary of Rafiq Hariri's assassination and demonstrate support for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government. From behind bullet-proof glass, pro-government leaders took turns paying tribute to the slain premier and calling for the establishment of an international tribunal to try the assassins of Hariri's and several others. Security was tight, with thousands of soldiers and Internal Security Forces troopers deployed around the rally after two bombs ripped through two minibuses, killing at least three people and wounding 23 others in the first direct attack on civilians in a country reeling from two years of political assassinations. Defense Minister Elias Murr vowed that he would "personally" improve security. Siniora, a long-time confidant and friend of the late Hariri, arrived early in Martyrs' Square, visiting Hariri's grave. Siniora was accompanied by his wife and several MPs. Hariri's sister, MP Bahiya Hariri, and Saad came separately to the grave and prayed. One of the harshest speeches was delivered by MP Walid Jumblatt. March 14 Forces MP Butros Harb pointed toward the "electrical border" separating the opposition from loyalists and called for its removal "together." "Let us move the border together all the way down to the South and place it against Israel," he said, extending his hand to the opposition. Other speakers focused on the opposition forces' "getting off the streets" and returning to dialogue in order to negotiate a solution to the standoff. Former President Amin Gemayel, in an address read by MP Antoine Ghanem, urged a return to dialogue as the only way to preserve Lebanon's unity. "Let us return to the word of compromise for the sake of this country's future," said Ghanem. MP Ghassan Tueni, that father of slain anti-Syrian journalist and MP Gebran Tueni said the international tribunal should try those who committed "crimes against humanity." He also said that Lebanon will remain steadfast against "plots and assassinations." The head of the Democratic Renewal Movement, former MP Nassib Lahoud, declared: "Let us clear all our squares of demonstrations and finalize a national solution." Minister of Public Works and Transport Mohammad Safadi seconded Lahoud's call, saying: "We don't want a victor or a vanquished." In Damascus the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa affirmed that means to solve the political crisis in Lebanon were still available, but in the meantime efforts must be escalated in order to bring all Lebanese factions to the table of negotiations. The confirmation came from Moussa after meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mualem, and other officials including President Bashar Al-Assad and Vice President Farouq Al-Shara. Moussa said that the Lebanese crisis was a matter which acquired the attention of all Arab nations namely the Lebanese people. When asked about a breakthrough in the Lebanese problem, Moussa revealed that there were contacts between the League and several Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria, saying that "all parties are working very hard to put this crisis behind in order for Lebanon to look to the future." The issues need to be discussed thoroughly to find an overall solution for the crisis, stressed the Arab official, adding that Lebanese themselves must boost dialogue amongst them. Regarding the international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Harri, Moussa revealed that it was an integral part of the Lebanese inner dialogue, saying that the League would handle this issue according to the will and wishes of the Lebanese' people. He indicated that the future of Arab relations depended on the unity of the Arabs and added that matters of Arab relations would be discussed in the upcoming Arab summit in Saudi Arabia next month. About the Iranian contribution to peace in Lebanon, the Arab official said that the league always welcomed such talks, pointing at continuing dialogue with Iran. Meanwhile, Al-Mualem said that his country wants peace to prevail in Lebanon and added that Syria would support any Lebanese decision to end the crisis there. When asked about Iraq, the Syrian Minister stated that the late visit by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani resulted in the agreement to boost support for the Iraqi reconciliation plan, indicating that Iraqis now must stand firmly towards their goal of achieving peace in their country. On Syria's relations with fellow Arab countries, the minister said that they were historical, adding that the relations would be bolstered in the future. |
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