RIYADH, 21 January 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday renewed its call for continuing efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis within the framework of the United Nations.
In a statement issued here yesterday, the Council of Ministers urged Baghdad to implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions in order to save the Iraqi people from the consequences of a military confrontation.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
He said both countries expressed their deep concern over the dangerous developments in the region.
King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, briefed the Cabinet on their talks with Ukraine’s President Leonid Kuchma, Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Al-Ragheb and Syrian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara.
“The talks with Kuchma, Abu Al-Ragheb and Shara centered on major Arab and international issues, especially the Middle East situation,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy as saying.
The Cabinet meeting also condemned Israel’s continuing aggression on the Palestinians and their refusal to implement UN resolutions and international peace initiatives. It urged the United Nations to honor its responsibility to protect the Palestinians.
The Cabinet gave the go-ahead for talks with France to conclude an agreement for cooperation in the areas of internal security and civil defense.
Interior Minister Prince Naif has been assigned to hold talks with his French counterpart to sign the accord.
The meeting endorsed an agreement signed with Romania for cooperation in economic, commercial, investment, scientific, technical and cultural areas together with sports and youth welfare. It also approved the accord with Algeria for cooperation in sports and youth welfare and another agreement with Yemen for cooperation over the postal system.
The Cabinet decided to amend Article 443/A of the Commercial Court Act and decided that the Court of Grievances rules on all commercial disputes, pending the formation of commercial courts. It also approved the necessary procedures to implement this decision.
The Cabinet abolished the first paragraph of the Royal Decree No. 35/2/5/1008 dated 17/6/1374H, which reads as follows: “The allowed range of profit for vehicle importers should not exceed 15 percent.”
