RIYADH, 20 October — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd held talks here yesterday with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on major Islamic and international issues.
Mahathir thanked the king for the care given by the Saudi government to the Malaysian Siamese twins who were successfully separated at King Abdul Aziz Medical City here.
The Malaysian premier also held talks with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and discussed major global developments including the US threat to launch a military strike on Iraq.
Mahathir, who arrived earlier in the day, and Prince Abdullah "reviewed the Palestinian issue and the fast-paced developments in the region," Saudi Press Agency said.
Mahathir’s meeting with Prince Abdullah was attended by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and top officials.
Mahathir also visited the Malaysian Siamese twins at the medical city. Prince Abdullah had arranged for the surgical separation of the twins.
Later speaking to reporters, the Malaysian premier commended the development achieved by the Kingdom in the medical field and the capabilities of Saudi doctors. He called for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the medical field.
Later, Mahathir signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Saudi-Malaysian business council. Saudi and Malaysian businessmen also signed a number of trade accords in the presence of the prime minister.
