JEDDAH, 29 April 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called for the establishment of a broadly based government in Baghdad representing all sections of the Iraqi people. It also emphasized that the Iraqi people have the right to determine their political future freely and independently.
In a statement issued after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, the Kingdom urged the US-led forces to set up an interim government in Iraq as quickly as possible in preparation for establishing a constitutional government.
King Fahd highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people. The Kingdom has sent a relief convoy of 140 trucks carrying food, medicine and a field hospital to Iraq. It also collected more than SR50 million in donations through a telethon to help the Iraqis.
The Cabinet also called for the quick implementation of the Middle East road map to establish peace in the region and end the plight of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation.
Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, who recently met with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa in Riyadh, stressed the significance of the league.
“Saudi Arabia considers the Arab League as the house of Arabs,” Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy quoted the crown prince as saying. “The Arab League can play a vital role in activating Arab joint action in the interest of all Arab countries.”
The Cabinet said the prince’s proposals to improve the Arab situation were aimed at strengthening cooperation among Arab countries in all spheres.
Al-Farsy said the Cabinet instructed the authorities to implement the resolutions taken by the GCC defense ministers’ meeting in Muscat last year.
It also authorized the interior minister to hold talks with Poland to sign a security cooperation agreement.
The meeting endorsed the agreement with Ethiopia for cooperation in economic, commercial, investment, technical and cultural areas as well as in sports and youth welfare.
Al-Farsy said the Cabinet also agreed to extend the agreement with France for avoiding double taxation to five more years from Jan. 1, 2004.
King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology was authorized to hold talks with South African authorities to reach an accord for scientific and technical cooperation.
The Cabinet licensed Arabian Cement Company to exploit raw clay at Hurrat Khalees in the Makkah region and agreed to alterations in the agreement to establish an Arab Economic Development Bank in Africa.
