JEDDAH, 3 August 2004 — Saudi Arabia yesterday urged the international community to back the efforts of the Sudanese government and the African Union to end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and warned that the language of threats would only complicate the situation in the impoverished region.

“The Kingdom believes that efforts must focus on taking adequate means to end the humanitarian tragedy in Darfur and supporting the efforts being made by the Sudanese government and the African Union,” Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said quoting a Cabinet statement after the meeting.

The international community “must abstain from the language of threats that would complicate things,” the Cabinet statement said in reference to foreign military intervention in Darfur.

Crown Prince Abdullah, who chaired the Cabinet meeting, briefed the ministers on the contents of a message he received on Sunday from Sudanese President Omar Bashir.

Sudanese Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Abdul Raheem Muhammad Hussein, who handed the message to the crown prince, said the Saudi leadership had promised efforts to deal with the situation in Darfur.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, the Sudanese minister lambasted the “powers” who had contributed to escalating “an internal tribal” issue and taking the matter to the UN Security Council.

Hussein emphasized the efforts made by Sudanese governments since 1972 for the development of Darfur and denied allegations that a million people had fled the region over the past years.

The Security Council passed a resolution on Friday threatening “international measures” against Sudan if it did not rein in its troops and their militia allies Janjaweed who are blamed for much of the alleged atrocities in the western area of the country.

The Security Council resolution, which avoided the term “sanctions,” made no mention of the possible use of force, although foreign officials have spoken of sending troops to Darfur to try to put an end to the crisis.

Arab diplomats said proposals to deploy an Arab unit as part of the African force would top the agenda at Sunday’s emergency foreign ministers’ meeting in Cairo.

“The participation of an Arab force in the African Union protection force in Darfur will be one of the main items on the meeting’s agenda,” a senior Arab diplomat said.

The Cabinet meeting also warned against moves by Israeli extremists to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

“The attack would not only hurt the feelings of Muslims all over the world but also bring about unpredictable consequences,” the Cabinet said.

It said the Kingdom was following “with deep concern” the worsening situation in Palestine and denounced the Israeli government plan to establish a Jewish settlement for 55,000 people in East Jerusalem and occupy more Palestinian villages.

“While denouncing the Israeli practices and policies, Saudi Arabia urges the international community, especially the Middle East quartet backing the peace process, to immediately intervene and stop Israel’s aggressive policies and prevent escalation of events,” the Cabinet said.

During the Cabinet meeting, Prince Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and emphasized the Kingdom’s support in protecting the unity, sovereignty, security and stability of Iraq.

Referring to his telephone conversation with US President George W. Bush, the crown prince said it focused on the situation in the region and issues of mutual concern as well as joint efforts to fight terrorism.

Prince Abdullah later arrived in Makkah on his way to the summer resort of Taif, where he is expected to open a number of development projects.

He will lay the foundation stone for the Taif University, the Taif-Baha-Abha two-way road and launch Prince Sultan Medical College and King Faisal Garden. The crown prince is accompanied by a large number of princes and officials including Prince Nawaf, director of intelligence.

Agreement With Nigeria

The Cabinet meeting approved the general agreement with Nigeria for cooperation in economic, commercial, investment, scientific, technical and cultural areas as well as in sports and youth welfare. It also endorsed a similar agreement with Sri Lanka. It authorized the finance minister or his deputy to sign an accord with Greece to avoid double taxation on revenues earned from air transport.

The Cabinet appointed Abdul Rahman ibn Najm Al-Badi assistant undersecretary for security affairs in the Al-Jouf governorate, and Ali ibn Suleiman Al-Atiyya director general of the higher education minister’s office.