KHAMIS MUSHAYT, 7 July 2006 — Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, denied charges that the Kingdom is offering assistance to Somalia’s Islamic Court Union (ICU). He was speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday night following the opening of an armed forces exhibition, Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.

The allegations stem, in part, from comments made by Jendayi Frazer, the head of the Bureau of African Affairs at the US State Department, during a June 29 hearing at the House’s International Relations Committee.

Frazer did not directly accuse the Saudi government of funding Somalia’s ICU, but said that money is flowing from the Kingdom and Yemen in support of the Islamic courts, which recently ousted the faltering transitional government of a country that has been in a state of anarchy since the early 1990s.

The United States is openly supporting the transitional government factions that oppose the ICU, and has placed the head of the Islamic courts, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, on its list of Al-Qaeda associates. US officials claim that ICU control of Somalia would result in creating a terrorist haven in East Africa.

After denying the Saudi government’s involvement in funding the Islamic courts in Somalia, the crown prince also referred to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s recent declaration of amnesty for deviant Saudis who turn themselves in to authorities.

“Those who are good to the country and religion will surrender and others will have to be held accountable,” said the crown prince.

Crown Prince Sultan arrived in Abha on an official visit to the southern state of Asir on Monday, his first since taking the helm after Abdullah took the throne in August.

On Wednesday the crown prince opened the sixth military exhibition in Abha, which is aimed at showing the potentials of the Saudi armed forces.

The crown prince praised the Saudi Armed Forces as being loyal to religion, state, the king and the people. He also donated SR10 million for the completion of military infrastructure projects in Huraidhah.

Crown Prince Sultan attended a dinner arranged in his honor by the Southern Command at the race track in the King Faisal Military City in Khamis Mushayt.

At a reception at the same venue an opera called ‘Message to the Nation’, composed by Abdullah Al-Sherif and performed by young artist Abbas Ibrahim and several servicemen, was held.

According to the producer of the program, 456 artists participated in the opera. A thrilling fireworks and a light and sound show added color to the festive occasion. The participants received mementoes and presents from the crown prince. A number of princes and dignitaries attended the program.