RIYADH, 6 January 2008 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has been named winner of this year’s King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam, Crown Prince Sultan announced yesterday following a meeting of the prize’s jury, chaired by him.
So far 35 Saudi and international personalities and organizations have won the King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam. Saudi Arabia topped the list with 10 winners, followed by Egypt (four), Kuwait, the UAE, Pakistan and Malaysia (two each). Other winners were from Sudan, Lebanon, India, Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, South Africa, Indonesia, Bosnia, France and the former Republic of Tataristan (one each).
Earlier yesterday, the king held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on new developments in the Middle East peace process since the Annapolis conference. “They also reviewed international efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace settlement, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.
King Abdullah’s meeting with Abbas comes ahead of US President George W. Bush’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14. A Saudi diplomat said the king would urge Bush to pressure Israel to stop settlements in the Palestinian territories.
King Abdullah will also ask Bush to press Israel for the establishment of a Palestinian state, The Associated Press quoted the diplomat as saying.
Bush will leave on his nine-day Mideast tour next week.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, Bush commended King Abdullah’s support for the peace process. “I personally admire King Abdullah because he is a man who, when he speaks, everybody will listen,” the Arabic daily quoted Bush as saying.
The US president also praised King Abdullah for his political reforms. “The sending of Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to the Annapolis conference was a strong message from King Abdullah,” Bush said, recognizing the king’s pivotal role in the Middle East peace process.
Bush said the establishment of permanent peace in the region required recognition of two states, adding that he would continue his efforts to solve all outstanding issues before leaving the White House.
Bush also said he would use part of his Middle East tour to press allies to help keep Iran’s “aggressive ambitions” in check. “I will discuss the importance of countering the aggressive ambitions of Iran,” Bush said in his weekly radio address.
— Additional input from agencies
