JEDDAH, 28 November 2006 — Saudi Arabia yesterday urged the United States to use its influence to stabilize the Middle East and find just solutions to the region’s conflicts.
The Council of Ministers also repeated its call for an international conference on Palestine in order to revive the peace process and protect the Palestinian people from Israeli terrorism and aggression.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who chaired the Cabinet meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and emphasized the Kingdom’s desire to improve ties with various countries in order to protect its interests and promote world peace and stability.
“The Cabinet reviewed the direct US influence on the issues of the region and stressed that such influence should be in line with the region’s situation and historic balance and in support of its stability while seeking just methods to end its conflicts,” the Saudi Press Agency said, quoting Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani.
Madani said the Cabinet expressed its deep sorrow over the continuing violence and ethnic and religious conflicts in Iraq. “It denounced all acts of violence in Iraq irrespective of its source...and urged the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibility toward establishing security in Iraq,” he added.
The Cabinet said it was time to find a permanent solution to the protracted Palestinian-Israeli conflict “by translating peace initiatives and UN resolutions into practical and quick steps.” The meeting blasted the recurrent Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.
While condemning the assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, the Kingdom also hoped that the terrorist act would not affect the security and stability of the country. The Cabinet urged all Lebanese political forces to work together to strengthen the country’s unity, sovereignty and stability through dialogue. It reiterated Riyadh’s support for Lebanon and its people.
The Cabinet agreed to set up a special committee to investigate cases of food poisoning and impose appropriate punishment on those who caused it. Persons sentenced will be able to approach the Court of Grievances within six months after a verdict has been given, SPA said.
The meeting authorized Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to hold talks with his American counterpart to reach a memorandum of understanding between the two governments on outstanding issues related to childcare. The Cabinet approved Yemen’s participation in the Council of GCC health ministers, Arab Gulf Education Bureau, GCC Council of Labor and Social Affairs and the GCC football tournament for the Gulf Cup.
It authorized Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism to sign an MOU with Turkey. The meeting approved the Kingdom’s contribution to the increased capital of the Islamic Development Bank.
