JEDDAH, 7 November 2006 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called for an international conference to find a solution to the protracted Palestinian issue, stop Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinians and activate the Middle East peace process.
“There is a pressing need for an international conference that will bring together all relevant parties in order to put an end to the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people and activate the peace process on the basis of the Arab peace plan and UN resolutions,” the Council of Ministers said in a statement.
The Cabinet held its first weekly meeting after Eid Al-Fitr holidays in Jizan under the chairmanship of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who was in the city on the last leg of his tour of the south, which also took him to Najran and Asir. The king and Crown Prince Sultan returned to Riyadh yesterday afternoon.
The Cabinet denounced the torture of Palestinians by the Israeli forces in the occupied territories and said the international community was showing total apathy toward developments on the Palestinian stage.
The king briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with world leaders over the past weeks on major global issues and ways of strengthening bilateral relations. “The leaders have praised the pivotal role being played by the Kingdom for regional security, stability and progress and for the success of Arab and Islamic causes,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
Information Minister Iyad Madani said the king’s tour of the three southern regions was aimed at meeting people and officials there and understanding their development requirements.
The king instructed all ministers and government officials to take care of all regions. “All government officials must pay attention to all regions because the state is an inseparable whole and citizens are equal in rights and duties... there is no room for negligence in shouldering responsibilities,” he said, adding that Islam calls for work and fulfillment of trust and duties.
The king expressed his appreciation of the spontaneous feelings of love expressed by Saudis during his tour of the region. He also commended the readiness and preparedness of Saudi armed forces and their constant vigilance in defending the country and its achievements.
The Cabinet meeting reviewed the progress of 224 development projects such as schools, hospitals, roads and desalt plants being carried out by ministries in different parts of the Kingdom, especially in Jizan, Najran and Asir. Allocations have been made for these projects from budget surpluses in the past two years.
During his tour of the south, the king launched a large number of educational, health and infrastructure projects including a SR100 billion economic city in Jizan, three university campus projects and two health cities in Asir and Jizan. Speaking about the Jizan University Campus, Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari said it was the eighth such project launched by the king this year.
