RIYADH, 26 November — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has expressed the hope that the Arab nationals who have fought alongside the Taleban will be allowed to return safely to their respective countries.
"We hope that all people who are of Arab or Islamic origin in Afghanistan can return to their country of origin," the prince told reporters after presiding over a meeting in Riyadh to announce the winner of King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam.
Prince Sultan said he opposed moves to attack any Arab or Islamic country without genuine reasons.
On the return of Arab Afghans, he said: "The matter is now under the supervision of the United Nations and we believe that this will mean human rights will be taken into consideration. We hope that no one will be subject to injustice."
Prince Sultan said the Riyadh government had not received any official confirmation of Saudis being held in Afghanistan for taking part in the fighting alongside the Taleban.
Some 600 pro-Taleban foreign fighters have surrendered in Kunduz in the north of the country.
In a related development, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem Al-Thani said that he had been assured by US Secretary of State Colin Powell that Arab fighters who surrendered would not be "exterminated."
On Friday, Al-Hayat Arabic daily reported that the Saudi government has been in contact with Pakistan and other governments over the fate of Saudis who fought alongside the Taleban and said it was ready to repatriate those who surrender to, or are taken prisoner by, the Northern Alliance.
No reliable figures about the "Arab Afghans" are available. But according to some estimates, they may number between 1,000 and 2,000.
Asked about the future of Islamic organizations in the light of the current international situation, Prince Sultan added: "We will not stop the activities to spread the message of Islam. It is the duty of every Muslim to carry out dawa and help the poor. Dawa work should not be considered a terrorist act."
On new US efforts to establish peace in the Middle East, Prince Sultan said: "We hope they are serious in their intentions."
