RIYADH, 22 January — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, has emphasized the significance of a fair judiciary and said it is "the basic pillar of security and stability in any society."
Crown Prince Abdullah made the remark at the opening of a new High Court building in Riyadh. The 14-story facility was built at a cost of SR198 million.
"By the Grace of God, since its inception, this country has worked to reinforce the pillars of security and stability and establish justice, dictated by the Shariah," the crown prince said.
He said Saudi Arabia would not bargain with anyone on the extent of implementing the Shariah. "The Kingdom will never be tempted by glittering slogans pronounced from time to time in the name of human rights and the like," he said.
Crown Prince Abdullah emphasized the fact that Islam has always protected human rights while maintaining a balance between human rights and duties.
He said a new system, defining rights and responsibilities of all parties, would be announced in the next few weeks. "The draft of the system is ready. It will be debated by the Shoura Council before being passed onto the Council of Ministers for endorsement and application," he added.
The High Court opening ceremony was attended by a large number of princes and high-ranking officials including Prince Miteb, minister of public works and housing, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Prince Nawaf.
Prince Abdullah inspected the complex and toured its various departments. Prince Salman briefed the crown prince on the project, which includes a mosque. Justice Minister Abdullah Al-Sheikh explained legal procedures to the crown prince as well as the ministry's plan to use computers to record court proceedings.
Addressing the ceremony, the justice minister said Shariah courts in the Kingdom handled about 500,000 cases last year, while notaries public took up 930,000 cases. He said 13 new courts were under construction and 13 others were planned.
During the ceremony, Al-Sheikh presented a commemorative gift to the crown prince -- a copper plate inscribed with a copy of an order by King Abdul Aziz to establish a court in Riyadh.
Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, a member of the Riyadh Development Authority and head of the center for studies and projects, said the High Court complex would have 32 judicial units in addition to administrative offices.
Meanwhile, Prince Salman said yesterday that the crown prince had ordered the reconstruction of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Mosque, one of the capital's historic monuments.
"It was a center for learning Shariah for several decades," the governor pointed out. He said the present building of the court would be demolished and used for the mosque project.
Prince Salman commended the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah to efforts in developing Riyadh as a world capital.
Earlier yesterday, Prince Abdullah met former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing and discussed major global issues. Commerce Minister Osama Faqeeh also attended the meeting.
