JEDDAH, 22 July 2003 — Saudi Arabia said it will use its regional and international influence to work for the establishment of world peace and security and will strongly support efforts aimed at bringing peace to areas of conflict in the world. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd gave these assurances at the weekly session of the Saudi Council of Ministers, which met here. The king said Saudi Arabia would back all efforts aimed at enabling the people of the world to live a decent and stable life.
Culture and Information Minister, Dr. Fouad Abdul Salam Al-Farsi, told the Saudi Press Agency that the king briefed the Cabinet on the meetings and contacts with leaders of various countries over the past week. He specifically referred to his meeting on Sunday with Syrian President Bashar Assad, who met with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and discussed developments in the occupied Palestinian lands and Iraq.
The Cabinet expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the Kingdom’s delegation during the ongoing negotiations with the European Commission over a number of issues leading to the Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
On the domestic front, Dr. Al-Farsi said King Fahd told the council the government endorsed the opening of three new universities in Madinah, Qasim and Taif to give Saudi students the opportunity of a college education. The new academic year begins in September.
The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Kingdom and the United States on developing commercial and investment relations and authorized the foreign minister to sign the agreement on behalf of the Kingdom. The Cabinet also approved another agreement on Islamic and endowment affairs between the Kingdom and Algeria.
