Ain-Al-Yaqeen - September 14, 2007

		September 14, 2007

SAUDI ARABIA INVITES ARAB LEADERS TO THE SUMMIT.
THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES REVIEWS WITH KING ABULLAH II AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK THE SITUATION IN THE REGION AND A JOINT ARAB STAND ABOUT THE PEACE PROCESS.
THE MUSLIM COMMUNICATION GROUP MEETS IN ISLAMABAD TO DISCUSS THE AGENDA OF THE ISLAMIC SUMMIT.
PREPARATIONS FOR A MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE QUARTET.
THE ARAB PARLIAMENTARY UNION LAUDS THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES INITIATIVE THAT RESULTED IN THE PALESTINIAN AGREEMENT.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz And King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan held official talks at King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz's palace in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed the overall incidents and developments at the Arab, Islamic and international arenas, notably the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq in addition to aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and their peoples.

On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; 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 Talal Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Agfund; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region; and Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On the Jordanian side, the meeting was attended by Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein; and other members of the Jordanian king's official accompanying delegation.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud held a luncheon for Jordanian King Abdullah II and the accompanying delegation.

The luncheon was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz, other princes, ministers and senior officials.

Jordanian King Abdullah II arrived in Riyadh on a visit to the kingdom

At the airport, he was received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud who welcomed him and the accompanying delegation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The King of Jordan was also received by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, governor of Riyadh region, other princes, ministers and senior officials.

Jordanian King Abdullah II left after a short visit to the kingdom.

He was seen off by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud, other princes, and senior officials. Jordan welcomed the convoking of the Arab leaders for a summit meeting in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia next month.

A statement issued by Jordan's royal court said King Abdullah II of Jordan has confirmed the keenness of his country on making the summit a success.

He called for good preparation by Arab member countries so that the meeting would meet the requirements of the current critical time.

He lauded the efforts exerted by the kingdom to enhance the joint Arab action.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt co-chaired the official round of talks held between the two sides in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed the overall incidents and developments at the Arab, Islamic and international arenas, notably the developments of the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq in addition to aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in a way that serves the interests of the two peoples and countries.

The meeting was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Talal Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Agfund; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdul-Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Dr. Hisham Bin Mohyeddin Nazer.

On the Egyptian side, the talks were attended by Mubarak's official accompanying delegation.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz held a luncheon in honor of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and accompanying delegation.

The function was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Fahd Bin Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Price Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman; Prince Talal Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chairman of Agfund; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh region; prince abdul-ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; other princes, ministers, and senior civil and military officials.

Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak arrived on a visit to the kingdom.

At the airport, he was received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, a number of princes, ministers and senior officials.

The Egyptian President was accompanied by an official delegation including a number of senior officials.

Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the upcoming Arab summit in Riyadh scheduled for March 28-29 to make the conference a success. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah sent invitations to a number of Arab leaders including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad to attend the summit.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, State Minister Abdullah Zainal handed over a message from King Abdullah to President Bashar during a meeting in Damascus. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Zainal said Bashar had expressed his desire to make the Riyadh summit a success for the welfare of the Arab nation.

Arab leaders are expected to discuss the turmoil in Iraq, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Iran's nuclear standoff with the West and the political crisis in Lebanon during the summit. Saudi Arabia has called for a radical solution to the protracted Arab-Israeli conflict and for the revival of Middle East peace process.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said recently that the summit would discuss a string of regional issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Iraqi issue. He called on the international community not to stand idly on the situation in Iraq, but rather support Arab reconciliation efforts in the violence-ravaged country.

The pan-Arab forum has been trying to help the Iraqis hold a national reconciliation conference since early 2006, but such efforts have failed to produce significant results as the conference has been postponed several times. The summit is likely to discuss ways and means to strengthen the 23-member organization.

Also, King Abdullah sent invitation letters to Sultan Qaboos of Oman to attend the summit. Meanwhile, Abdullah received a message from Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and King Muhammad of Morocco. The king also met with the head of the general bureau of supervision, Osama Faqeeh, who presented him the bureau's annual report for 2005.

Meanwhile Seven Muslim states said yesterday that the Iran nuclear standoff should be resolved through diplomacy. They also urged a speedy solution to the Palestinian problem for the sake of peace in the Middle East.

The statement came after a meeting of the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Jordan, and the chief of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the Pakistani capital. They met to prepare for an Islamic summit aimed at ending turmoil in the Middle East.

After the talks, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said they needed more deliberations before their summit in Saudi Arabia.

The idea for a summit of Islamic countries has been championed by Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf who has long said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was fanning terrorism.

Musharraf, has urged a new initiative in talks during visits to several Muslim countries over the past few weeks, including Syria and Iran, although they were not represented at the talks.

Referring to clashes between Palestinian factions, Kasuri said it was heart-rending to see Palestinians killing Palestinians while sectarian violence in Iraq was "horrendous."

"We have seen deterioration and that has alarmed us," he said.

The seven ministers said the Palestinian question should be resolved on the basis of UN resolutions and initiatives that recognized the need for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"The foreign ministers reiterated the view that the Palestinian question is the central and core problem in the Middle East and it must be resolved without delay," a joint statement said.

"The ministers expressed concern over continuing occupation and illegal actions of Israel including the latest violation against Al-Aqsa Mosque."

"The ministers viewed with deep concern the dangerous escalation of tension, especially over the Iranian nuclear issue," said the statement, read at a news conference by Kasuri.

"It is vital that all issues must be resolved through diplomacy and there must be no resort to use of force," it added. "There is need for de-escalation instead of aggravation and confrontation in the Gulf region. All countries must work toward that objective." They also called on Israel to withdraw from occupied Syrian and Lebanese territory, and for respect of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.

The ministers expressed strong commitment to fight "all forms of terrorism and extremism." Kasuri referred to the seven countries at the talks as "like-minded" but said it had yet to be decided if others, such as Iran and Syria, would attend the summit.

Asked when the summit would be held, he said: "There's a general realization that it has to be at an early date.

"But... we need to come forward with something new so that it can affect the situation on the ground. Deliberation for one day is not enough."

President Hosni Mubarak received a detailed report from Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on the result of Islamabad seven member conference which comprised foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Abul Gheit said the conference was a success as it comprised Shiite-oriented countries which have definite stances concerning the issues of the region.

The participants agreed to continue consultations and exchange of ides, Abul Gheit said expressing hope that an agreement be reached and referred to Islamic leaders for holding an Islamic conference to consider challenges the Islamic world is facing at present.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa warned about the delay in the implementation of the recent agreement reached in Makkah between Hamas and Fatah. According to him, the Palestinians need to form the unity government which was agreed to in Makkah as soon as possible in order to get out of the difficulties they find themselves in as a result of the international embargo imposed on the Hamas government.

On the other hand Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to attend the 5th summit of the Sana'a Forum for Cooperation due to be started in Addis Ababa today. President Salih, in a statement to the Yemeni news agency (Saba), hoped that the results of Addis Ababa summit will meet the aspirations of the peoples of the member states and open new horizons for cooperation.

"This summit coincides with extraordinary developments like events in Somalia and Darfur. We have to find solutions to rebuild what conflicts have destroyed in both Somalia and Darfur and to realize peace in the African Horn," said Salih.

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan received the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

They reviewed issues pertaining to the Palestinian issue. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Al-Nahyan hoped that Makkah agreement, signed by the Palestinian leaders, would positively contribute to closing the Palestinian ranks.

In Moscow it was announced that a ministerial meeting of the Quartet of international mediators on the Middle East will be held in the region in late March, a special representative of the Russia foreign minister said.

Sergei Yakovlev said: "No concrete agreement [on the meeting] has been reached."

He added that Russian, U.S., EU and UN representatives will discuss preparations for the event in Brussels March 12-13.

Yakovlev said the representatives of the Middle East Quartet will also attend an international meeting on the elaboration of a permanent mechanism of economic aide to Palestinians in Brussels March 12-13.

Representatives of Israel and Palestine are expected to attend the ministerial meeting, but Yakovlev said he does not know who will represent the conflicting sides.

On another scale the five permanent Security Council members and Germany began work Monday on a new U.N. resolution to pressure Iran to suspend parts of its nuclear program, but said they were still committed to seeking a diplomatic solution.

The six nations, meeting in London, said they were seeking the best way to "re-engage" Tehran after it failed to respect a U.N. deadline to halt its uranium enrichment work. However, they said no decisions were made and more talks were needed.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, briefing reporters in Washington after the meeting, said the diplomats would hold a telephone conference Thursday, "at which time they hope to be able to hammer out the elements of a U.N. sanctions resolution."

However, sharp differences appear to remain between the tough U.S. position and what Russia and China, veto-holding council members with close ties to Iran, are willing to accept.

McCormack said U.S. officials want to engage in negotiations with Iran. "But we are equally committed to sending the message to the Iranian government: Should they chose not to proceed down that pathway, then there will be consequences," he said.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator on Monday said if the United States made a formal request for talks, Iran would respond positively but would not accept conditions placed on such discussions, the country's official news agency reported.

The Islamic Republic News Agency said Ali Larijani was responding to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's comments Sunday that the U.S. would hold direct talks with Iran if Tehran suspended its nuclear program.

"Setting conditions means indicating the outcome of talks prior to holding them. Therefore, such a policy has not been answerable," IRNA quoted Larijani as saying.

In London Prime Minister Tony Blair accepted his responsibility for the situation in Iraq but refused to own what he said the deaths of innocent people who he insisted were being killed by terrorists.

Answering questions at his regular monthly press briefing at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister said that he would not take the responsibility of the deaths of innocent people being killed by terrorists and "those who want to subvert the will of the majority of the people of Iraq who want a peaceful non-sectarian state."

He was asked why he had never expressed a sense of responsibility and regretted over what had gone wrong in Iraq.

The prime minister said the situation in Iraq was difficult for all the reasons that "we know but I don't regret getting rid of Saddam Hussein. I think it was the right thing to do."

Blaming squarely the elusive terrorists for the continuous carnage in Iraq, Mr Blair said: "The moment we start saying that it was our fault that the terrorists are killing people then we actually are echoing the arguments of the terrorist."

When suggested as part of the invading force the UK must share part of the blame for the Iraqi situation because things went from bad to worse in Iraq as the Iraqi police, its civil service, its army and the rest were sent home by the invading forces, Mr Blair said that he did take the responsibility for what is happening in Iraq, "and that is why we are there, but that is not saying that what the terrorists are doing is really our fault."

He said the idea that you could have left Saddam's police in-charge of the law and order was a 'far-fetched' one.

Answering a question on Iran, he said the current policy of those who want to stop Iran from pursuing a 'non-peaceful' nuclear goal was the right one and implied that nothing could be gained by trying to engage Tehran in negotiations before Iran agrees to stop what it is doing.

He said the answer lies in putting a unified global pressure on Iran.

On the other hand Russia's foreign minister warned Washington not to use force against Iran and criticized what he described as the United States' unilateral approach to other global crises in an interview.

Russia was worried about Vice President Dick Cheney's recent comment that "all options are on the table" to stop Tehran from becoming a nuclear power, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"We are concerned about the possibility of a military scenario," Lavrov was quoted as saying, in the government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta. "We are observing a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf. Such a buildup of forces always threatens to trigger a military conflict, even by accident."

Meanwhile American Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Afghanistan after holding talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during a brief stop in Islamabad.

He urged Pakistan to do more to combat the Taleban near the Afghan border, but also praised its role in the "war on terror".

His visit comes as the US seeks to send a tough message to Pakistan that aid to the country could be cut unless efforts to catch militants are stepped up.

US President George W Bush defended his administration's policy in Iraq.

"I'm proud of our foreign policy," Bush said in a 25-minute speech at a private fundraising reception with the Republican Governors Association.

"For the next two years I will conduct it with all my might, because I believe it's in the best interests of the United States of America".

The President again warned the Congress not to try to cut off funding for troops in Iraq or limit his military options.

"Failure in Iraq would invite chaos, would embolden those who would do us harm again," he said.

In Moscow Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov termed his talks with officials of Palestine's Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) as fruitful and expressed hope that Palestinian factions would close ranks and maintain national unity.

Hamas was represented, in the talks with Lavrov, by its politburo chief Khaled Mishaal who noted that Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas "is the negotiator on behalf of all Palestinians." During a press conference after the talks, Lavrov said the discussions focused on "the current situation that resulted from Makkah Agreement" that was sponsored by Saudi Arabia, adding that the accord has established strong basis for Palestinian-Israeli talks.

The agreement, he said, is a basis for the international community to reduce economic sanctions and end the Israeli blockade against the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Russia is convinced that Hamas' membership in Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will boost Palestinian unity and establish a unified national government, explained Lavrov, affirming that the Islamic group should be accepted a member of the Palestinian organization, an umbrella for several factions.

He said Russia was assured by Hamas that it will stop all forms of violence, urging Israel to stop all aggression against Palestinians.

Hamas was asked to abide by the guidelines set by the Quartet, including recognition of Israel's existence, he added.

He said his nation was cooperating with other sides to solve the sensitive issue of Palestinian prisoners, especially women and children, but these efforts could not be detailed because of the issue's complexity.

The prisoners' file included the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, said Lavrov. Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants last June.

Lavrov urged Israel to gradually move toward achieving goals through aborting its current "all or nothing" strategy, warning that stalling matters would only lead to losing the interest of Arabs and Palestinians.

It is necessary to define the details relevant to the Palestinian state and it is about time to discuss this issue, said Lavrov who believed that turning these matters into a reality would solve a number of issues, such as the unrest, that hinders the peace process.

On his part, Mishaal said Abbas was in charge of all negotiations on the basis of Palestinian unity, adding that the dilemma was not caused by Palestinians, but it was created by Israel that continued aggression.

He lauded the support Palestine is receiving from Russia that understands the Palestinian stance, Makkah Agreement and the necessity of ending the Israeli blockade.

He said the accord is a clear Palestinian-Arab message to achieve peace and Hamas is fully committed to it.

Russia's stance is courageous and distinguished, said Mishaal who called on the US to "correct" its regional policies, stop its bias for Israel and respect the will of people, especially Palestinians.

He urged the Quartet to cooperate with Russia to boost ongoing conciliation efforts among the Palestinian factions.

He expressed Hamas' interest to join the PLO and revive it as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians, he said.

Shalit will be released after the freeing of Palestinian prisoners, mainly women and children, said Mishaal who blamed Israel for hindering efforts that could have solved the issue.

Meanwhile The Final Communique of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) 49th conference has endorsed proposals by the Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi for intensive moves to work out an international treaty for the protection of religions and religious symbols and figures as well as sacred sites.

Participants in the AIPU regular conference held in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, wrapping up meetings Tuesday evening, adopted the comments by the Kuwaiti delegation on the union's budget and balance sheet, especially what was related to contracts for building a new headquarters.

On the Palestinian issue, the communique denounced continuous Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the Israeli aggression, assassinations, arrests, destroying houses, building Jewish settlements and building the Separation Barrier.

The delegations at the Aqaba parliamentary gathering noted that the Arab peace initiative still offered the best solution for the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict. They expressed appreciation for the Saudi efforts that culminated in the Makkah agreement, signed by the two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, to stop the bloodshed between "brothers" and compatriots besides forming a national unity government.

They urged the Arab countries and non-governmental organizations to enhance their political, spiritual and financial support to the Palestinian people and Authority in light of the "unjustified" international siege on the Palestinian government.

The communique called on the UN, the Quartet, the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the world parliaments to practice pressure on the Israeli government to release Palestinian parliamentarians, held in Israeli jails.

They also appealed to the Iraqi government to provide due protection to Palestinians in the country. - In addition, the AIPU denounced the Israeli excavations in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque urging the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to play due role, maintaining the nation and defending sanctities. It stressed the role by Al-Quds Committee calling for reforming it so that it can play a more effective role against the Israeli judaisation of Jerusalem.

It also urged the UN to "assume its full legal and ethical responsibility, " practicing pressure on Israel to "stop the crime against the mosque." The Arab parliamentary delegations expressed support for the Iraqi government's efforts for restoring security and stability to the country through national reconciliation.

As for Lebanon, they confirmed the country's full sovereignty over its territories expressing full support for the Lebanese efforts for recovery and restoration of stability as well as freeing POWs held in Israeli jails.

Referring to Syria, they underlined solidarity and support with the country to free the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel.

They also stressed support for efforts by the Sudanese government for resolving the Darfur crisis through negotiations.

On the UAE three islands occupied by Iran, Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, Arab parliamentarians confirmed the UAE's full sovereignty on the islands regretting that contacts with Tehran had not so far lead to any positive results that could build on to settle the dispute.

Wrapping the two-day meetings, the AIPU expressed concern over the deterioration in Somalia urging the conflicting parties to start dialogue for reconciliation. Arab countries were called to provide urgent aid to the war-torn country.

The communiquedenounced Israel's refrainment from signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) pointing out the close link between disarming the country of the weapons of mass destruction and efforts to achieve real peace in the region.