JEDDAH, 10 September — Prince Abdullah, the regent, yesterday discussed with US President George W. Bush on telephone the Palestinian-Israeli crisis in light of the stalled Middle East peace process, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders discussed “the latest developments in the region, notably the Palestinian cause in light of the stumbled peace process and other international developments as well as issues of mutual concern,” the agency said.
Earlier yesterday while presiding over the Cabinet meeting, Prince Abdullah called for a just and lasting solution to the protracted Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of international resolutions.
Prince Abdullah briefed the Cabinet on his talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad in Jeddah and his contacts with other Arab and foreign leaders on Middle East peace and other recent developments.
“These issues demand exchange of views by Arab countries to find a just solution and take joint a Arab stand,” the regent said.
The Cabinet meeting commended the resolutions taken by GCC foreign ministers meeting in Jeddah and the Arab League Council meeting in Cairo. Both meetings opposed US plans to launch a military attack on Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein.
Prince Abdullah also congratulated an estimated 4.5 million Saudi students on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year and wished them success.
He reiterated the government’s support for education. “Education is essential for the development of any country,” the regent said. Saudi Arabia allocates more than 25 percent of its national budget for education.
Meanwhile, Prince Abdullah received a message from Sudanese President Omar Bashir. It was delivered by Maj. Gen. Hashim Al-Husseini, director general of the president’s office.
Prince Abdullah also met with Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed held talks with Prince Nawaf, director of intelligence.
