JEDDAH, 17 February 2004 — The Council of Ministers yesterday called for immediate US intervention, in order to salvage the Middle East peace process, to stop Israel’s unilateral actions and aggressive practices in Palestine.
A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, denounced Israel’s killing of innocent Palestinian women and children and construction of a “racist wall.”
“In the light of Israel’s unabashed aggression ... we call on the international community, especially the United States, to intervene immediately and firmly to confront these unilateral policies and actions that are aimed at ruining any chance for peace in the region,” the meeting said. The Cabinet also expressed its hope that the UN delegation’s recent visit to Iraq would help the United Nations play a pivotal role in the war-torn country and in the transfer of power to the Iraqi people.
The new Iraqi government must represent all ethnic groups in the country, the Cabinet said, adding that Iraq’s national unity and total sovereignty must be restored.
Earlier, Prince Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Charles, the Prince of Wales, and said the talks were instrumental in strengthening Saudi-British ties. He also commended the government departments for their services to pilgrims during the last Haj season.
Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said the Cabinet authorized the finance minister to sign an agreement with Hungary for the promotion and protection of mutual investment. The meeting endorsed another agreement signed last year with Yemen for cooperation in technical education and vocational training.
The Cabinet appointed Saleh ibn Saad Al-Muhanna, assistant deputy finance minister for budget affairs, Dr. Saud ibn Saleh Al-Musaibeeh, security adviser at the Interior Ministry, and Saleh ibn Nasser Al-Taees, labor adviser at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
