JEDDAH, 7 August 2005 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman said the Saudi government and its leadership enjoys popular support of its citizens. He cited the large turnout of Saudis who extended their condolences on the death of King Fahd and pledged their allegiance to the new king and crown prince.
“A country that depends on an individual will fall with the fall of that person. On the other hand, a country that stands on the shoulders of its people will remain strong,” he said.
“We don’t differentiate between the ruler and the ruled. Here we have a state that came into being from within its people. It represents them and they represent it, ensuring unfailing continuity,” Al-Eqtisadiah Arabic daily quoted him as saying.
Millions of Saudis have already expressed their support and allegiance to King Abdullah, who was declared the country’s new sovereign on Monday following the demise of King Fahd.
Prince Salman said the Kingdom’s new leadership would be able to confront all challenges with the support of its citizens. “There is no country in the world without challenges. The question is whether we face them or run away from them. In our country, we face challenges with faith in God and with the support of our citizens.”
Asked about the delay in the appointment of the second deputy premier, Prince Salman said the law did not specify the number of deputy premiers. “According to the system, the king will appoint deputy prime ministers; it does not specify the number of deputies.”
He said Saudi Arabia would forge ahead with its reform programs under the leadership of King Abdullah. “Since its establishment in 1902, Saudi Arabia has been introducing reforms.”
The governor also spoke about a two-pronged strategy to solve the country’s unemployment problem: Creation of more job opportunities for Saudis and training them to take up jobs being occupied by expatriates.
He emphasized the strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States based on mutual interests and expected stronger Saudi-US ties during King Abdullah’s era.
He objected to differentiation of rulers and religious men. “We consider ourselves as religious men. There is nothing called the ‘religious establishment.’ The whole state is a religious establishment and the ruler consults with all groups of people in society.”
Asked whether the government would release any prisoners, especially political ones to mark the accession to the throne by King Abdullah, the governor said the Kingdom had never been a state to punish its citizens without process of law.
“The Kingdom has been working to achieve unity and cohesion between its leadership and citizens,” he said. “However, there are red lines set by every state and citizens must not cross them.”
Prince Salman said the government would study prospects of holding elections to pick its Shoura Council members. “We don’t give any hollow promises. We always prefer action. When it is decided it will be announced.”
