JEDDAH, 7 June 2005 — Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday told the Cabinet that his talks with Sultan Qaboos of Oman had focused on ways of promoting bilateral cooperation in all areas as well as matters related to strengthening the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Prince Abdullah also told the Cabinet that the health of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd was steadily improving. King Fahd was admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh 10 days ago.
Addressing the Cabinet, Prince Abdullah welcomed the Omani ruler to the Kingdom. “Our talks focused on the brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Oman and on ways of strengthening cooperation in various fields,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as saying.
Prince Abdullah and Sultan Qaboos reviewed “all events and developments at Gulf, Arab, Islamic and international levels and the two countries’ positions on them,” SPA reported after the two leaders met in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Abdullah also said that his talks with Sultan Qaboos had covered all matters for the welfare of the people of the two countries and for promoting the progress and achievements of the GCC. “We also discussed prospects for cooperation in regional and international matters which would benefit the Arab and Islamic nations,” he added.
Sultan Qaboos, who arrived on Sunday on a three-day official visit, met Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Interior Minister Prince Naif, and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. They discussed issues of mutual concern, SPA said.
Earlier yesterday, Prince Sultan hosted a luncheon in honor of the Omani leader and his accompanying delegation. Senior princes and officials including Prince Abdul Rahman, deputy minister of defense and aviation, Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, Prince Naif and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal attended the luncheon. The Omani ambassador to Riyadh, Saad Al-Kalbani, emphasized the significance of the Saudi-Omani summit and said it was aimed at exchanging views on various issues that concern the two countries as well as the Arab world.
GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah said Sultan Qaboos’ visit to the Kingdom reflected the historical relations between the two GCC member states. “The visit will certainly strengthen the GCC,” he said in a press statement.
Al-Attiyah noted the continuous support being received by the six-member regional organization from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Sultan Qaboos and other GCC leaders.
Transport Minister and Acting Information Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said the Cabinet had authorized the interior minister to hold talks with his GCC counterparts on signing an agreement for the transportation of convicts between the member states.
“The Cabinet meeting also heard a report on developments in Iraq, especially on the killing of innocent Iraqis,” Seraisry told SPA, adding that the Cabinet called upon all Iraqis to stand united against those who try to undermine the country’s security and stability.
