JEDDAH, 19 June 2007 — The Council of Ministers yesterday expressed its deep sorrow over the fratricidal fighting between Fatah and Hamas groups and said it would destroy the Palestinian cause and tarnish the image of the Palestinian struggle.
“The killings between Fatah and Hamas movements have harmed the Palestinian struggle and Palestinian people. The Palestinian cause will pay a big price for this at different levels,” the Cabinet said after a meeting chaired by Crown Prince Sultan.
The Cabinet meeting, which was held in Riyadh, reminded the Palestinian leaders of the pledge they had taken in front of the Holy Kaaba that they would not fight each other and stand united.
“This pledge demands an end to all operations of killings, barbarism and assassinations as well as a return to dialogue and mutual understanding to settle differences,” the Cabinet said.
The Cabinet also condemned last Wednesday’s killings of Lebanese Parliament member Walid Eido and others in Beirut.
The Cabinet decided to strengthen cooperation with Spain, Portugal and India in different fields. It also authorized the interior minister or his deputy to hold talks with the Spanish side to reach an agreement on the transfer of prisoners. It endorsed a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Higher Education and the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development. The MOU encourages scientific and educational cooperation between Saudi and Indian universities.
