JEDDAH, 1 March 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called upon the Lebanese people to safeguard their country’s national unity and stability by taking a judicious approach to overcome the present crisis caused by the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri.
The Council of Ministers in its weekly meeting chaired by Crown Prince Abdullah also expressed its hope that the new Palestinian government led by Mahmoud Abbas would be successful in realizing the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinians and restoring their legitimate rights.
“The Cabinet called upon the Lebanese people to safeguard their national unity and stability allowing wisdom to prevail while confronting calamities,” Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani told the Saudi Press Agency after the meeting.
Prince Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, adding that the talks focused on the latest international developments and ways of strengthening bilateral ties. Schroeder left Riyadh yesterday after a two-day official visit.
Referring to his talks and contacts with foreign heads of state over the past week, the crown prince said “they were within the framework of the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen friendly relations with other countries and promote world peace and stability,” Madani said.
The Cabinet conveyed Saudi Arabia’s condolences to Iran over the deaths caused by a devastating earthquake that hit southeast of the country last week. The Kingdom has sent two planeloads of relief supplies including food, medicine, tents and blankets for the quake victims.
The Cabinet authorized the chief of the Youth Welfare Presidency to hold talks with Austrian officials on signing an agreement for cooperation in sports. It also decided to sign two accords with Sudan for promoting cooperation in land and marine transportation.
Aid for Palestinians
Saudi Arabia yesterday gave $20 million (SR75 million) in immediate aid for the Palestinians. The money will be used to construct 700 housing units as well as educational and health facilities.
Yousuf Al-Bassam, deputy chairman of Saudi Fund for Development, who signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, said Saudi Arabia is the largest donor of Palestine.
The Saudi government had earlier given $45 million (SR168 million) to UNRWA to construct 37 schools, nine health centers, a college of nursing and a hospital as well as to reconstruct more than 3,000 houses in various parts of the occupied territories.
