JEDDAH, 11 July 2006 — Saudi Arabia yesterday emphasized the need for drawing international attention to the importance of establishing peace and stability in the Middle East to ensure global security.
“Everyone should realize that the security, stability and the future of the region are important to protect the interests of all. The present political maneuvers aimed at serving selfish interests of some will not benefit anyone,” the Council of Ministers said in a statement after its weekly meeting at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
The meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, also stressed that unanimity of opinion was essential to achieve Palestinian national goals, Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani told Saudi Press Agency quoting the Cabinet statement.
“Apart from making their own decisions they should follow a method that would guarantee the achievement of their legitimate national rights, including the liberation of the holy city of Jerusalem and the implementation of all international resolutions,” Madani said.
The Council cautioned the Palestinians against playing into the hands of Israel, which seeks to impose its hegemony in the region with unilateral solutions, Madani said.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over the decision at a conference in Iran on Saturday by foreign ministers of Iraq’s neighbors to support Baghdad’s bid to make all Iraqis participate in the process of redrafting the constitution.
The Iraqi government’s move aims at achieving national unity and security by ending violence besides bringing all the factions into the political process, Madani said.
On the domestic front, the Cabinet approved the draft regulations governing the import and management of chemical substances. The regulations stipulate that no import would be allowed without permission from competent authorities and the Interior Ministry. The licensed importers and handlers of chemicals have to observe instructions of the concerned authorities.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is on a brief visit to the Kingdom, held talks in Jeddah yesterday. They discussed regional developments and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Sultan, Yemeni Ambassador Mohammad Ali Al-Ahwal and senior officials.
The Council authorized the minister of higher education or his deputy to discuss a draft memorandum of cooperation with the Australian Ministry of Education.
The Council authorized the finance minister to discuss with the French Finance Ministry the addition of a clause to the agreement on exchange of information required to avoid double taxation on income from inheritance and legacies.
