MADRID, 8 June 2008 — Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, said yesterday that Arab countries are capable of solving their internal disputes peacefully if they make serious and credible moves.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily, a sister publication of Arab News, he said Saudi Arabia would continue its efforts within the framework of the Arab platform to reinforce world peace and stability.
He is on a four-day official visit to Spain. On Friday night, King Juan Carlos hosted a dinner in honor of Prince Sultan and his accompanying delegation at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Spain supports the Arab peace initiative to the Arab-Israeli conflict and shares Saudi views on establishing peace in the Middle East.
Prince Sultan expressed his satisfaction over the landmark agreement reached by Lebanese groups after the Doha talks last month. “We hope that the Doha accord and the election of Michel Suleiman as the new Lebanese president will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in Lebanon,” the Arabic daily quoted the crown prince as saying.
Prince Sultan said he was happy that the Lebanese crisis was resolved through Arab mediation. “The Doha Agreement came in line with the Taif Accord, which was instrumental in formulating Lebanon’s constitution. This again emphasizes the method of dialogue and consensus and rejects the idea of clash and confrontation,” he added.
Speaking about the situation in Iraq, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia has always tried to restore peace and stability in the war-torn country. “We share the hope and aspirations of Iraqis achieving security and stability and coexisting peacefully with all their ethnic groups,” he said.
Asked whether the recent military maneuvers conducted in the northern part of the Kingdom had anything to do with growing tension in the region, Prince Sultan said the Saif Al-Salam military exercise was planned.
“We had conducted a similar exercise in the south and next year it will be conducted in another place,” he said.
Prince Sultan said such routine military exercises were aimed at enhancing alertness and achieving integration of different armed forces in the country. The National Guard, the Border Guards, land, naval, air and air defense forces had taken part in the Saif Al-Salam exercise.
Yesterday, Prince Sultan received Arab ambassadors accredited to Spain and commended their efforts in promoting Arab-Spanish relations. "The Arab Ummah is strong in the world due to its values and resources," he said.
Prince Sultan said Arabs were seeking a full-fledged sovereign Palestinian state with comprehensive systems, rights and duties and complete borders.
"God will help us all to achieve this goal," he added. He urged Arab countries to resolve their internal conflicts through reasoning and also asked them to support one another.
"Because if we respect ourselves we can win the respect of others."
Sultan said he considered Arab ambassadors abroad as a symbol of Arab unity. "Our issues are one and we have to help one another."
He said the differences among Arab countries were marginal. He praised Spain for its firm support to Arab causes.
Yesterday, Prince Sultan received Arab ambassadors accredited to Spain and commended their efforts in promoting Arab-Spanish relations. “The Arab Ummah is strong in the world due to its values and resources,” he said.
Prince Sultan said Arabs were seeking a full-fledged sovereign Palestinian state with comprehensive systems, rights and duties and complete borders.
“God will help us all to achieve this goal,” he added. He urged Arab countries to resolve their internal conflicts through reasoning and also asked them to support one another.
“Because if we respect ourselves we can win the respect of others.”
Sultan said he considered Arab ambassadors abroad as a symbol of Arab unity. “Our issues are one and we have to help one another.”
He said the differences among Arab countries were marginal. He praised Spain for its firm support to Arab causes.
