JEDDAH, 23 March 2003 — The Shoura Council will discuss the US-led war on Iraq in its next weekly session and issue a statement, according to Dr. Hamoud Al-Badr, its secretary-general.
“The Shoura cannot stand isolated from major events in the region, because it is part of society,” he said.
Referring to the address to the nation by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd last Tuesday, Badr said it was a good step. “The Kingdom has clarified its position,” he added.
The Shoura official said he was very happy over the Kingdom taking a sound position on the US-Iraqi standoff. He expressed deep sorrow over the launch of war against Iraq by the United States and Britain, ignoring international peace initiatives.
“I am very sorry for that,” he added.
Badr said the Shoura Council welcomes new reforms. “I am sure that the government will not delay any reform programs for the progress of the Shoura Council,” he said.
Badr said the main objective of Shoura members was to protect national interests. “They have no inclination to anything except the good of the nation. Even if they differ it’s for the interest of the nation,” he explained.
The 120-member consultative body includes a number of intellectuals, academics, businessmen, economists and legal experts.
Asked about the Shoura’s stand toward a series of bomb blasts that shook Riyadh as well as recent shooting incidents, Badr said such criminal activities take place all over the world.
“The council condemns all these criminal incidents and says they are aimed at tarnishing the image of Saudi society,” he told Al-Jazirah daily.
Replying to an accusation that the Shoura does not deal with social issues, he said it was totally untrue. The Shoura had adopted a number of resolutions and laws, which are important for Saudis and expatriates, he said.
Badr disclosed plans to provide partial television coverage of the Shoura’s sessions. “There will be television programs broadcasting parts of Shoura discussions live,” he said.
