Saudi FM: Support Lebanese Government Efforts To Spread Its Authority Over All Its National Land

2006-07-18

Prince Saud Al-Faisal holds press briefing

www.spa.gov.sa/ English/details.php? id=376497

Jeddah, July 18, SPA (Saudi Press Agency)-- Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pursued with great concern and strongly denounced Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestinian territories in which Israel waged an all-out war aiming at premeditated destruction of infrastructure; violation of human and national rights; and targeting and punishing of the civilian and innocent people by assassination and apprehension without consideration for international pacts, conventions and human norms.

In a statement at the outset of a press briefing held here today, Prince Saud said that this Israeli aggression is an extension to Israel's occupation policies, hegemony and continual hateful practices in the region.

Prince Saud added that the Kingdom strongly condemned these military operations and warned the world community of the dangerous situation in the region, the slipping into war atmospheres and a new cycle of violence whose consequences difficult to be predicted under the international laxity of dealing with Israeli policies. Some countries' stances have suggested support for these practices which made the United Nations Security Council unable to take firm decisions on this crisis, he noted.

Prince Saud pointed out that the Kingdom's position in this regard was affirmed by the Council of Arab League in its recent meetings which called on all parties not to carry out any acts that lead to destabilize security in the region.

He stressed full support for the Lebanese government and its efforts in preserving Lebanon's interests, maintaining its sovereignty and independence and spreading its authority over all its national land.

Prince Saud also emphasized the Kingdom's full support for the Palestinian national authority and its efforts aiming at controlling the situation and seeking for the unity of the Palestinian decision, emanating from the Kingdom's position to stand by national legitimate authorities in brotherly Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Prince Saud said that the Kingdom called on the world community to shoulder its legitimate and humanitarian responsibility to stop this Israeli blatant aggression; to protect the brotherly Lebanese people and their infrastructure; and to support the efforts of the Lebanese legitimate government to preserve Lebanon, maintain its sovereignty and spread its authority over all its national land.

Prince Saud also called on the world community to put an end to Israel's siege imposed on the Palestinian people and to support the efforts of the national authority to achieve the unity of the Palestinian rank within the framework of the national dialogue.

The Kingdom will spare no efforts in its contacts, meetings and consultations to contain the crisis in the region, he said.

Prince Saud pointed out that Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General will pay an official visit to France on Wednesday.

The Crown Prince will discuss the developments of events in the region and their consequences; bilateral relations and ways of their enhancement between the two countries in all fields, he noted.

Then Prince Saud replied to reporters' questions.

He pointed out that in our assessment if there is an intervention from any party in this Arab situation particularly from non-Arabs, it will be for the good and interest of Arab countries.

At present, Lebanon needs calm, reconstruction and no risk to its interest and people's unity, Prince Saud said and added that is what we wish from all countries interested in the Arab situation in general and Lebanon's in particular.

Replying to a question on the reform of the situations of the Arab League, Prince Saud said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has had a certain proposal for reform of the situations of the Arab League which was submitted to Summit Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The proposal was endorsed and the last phase of accomplishing this project was in Algeria Summit and it was signed by foreign ministers. It is in the framework of implementation and there were institutions established to amend the League's constitution and the charter, he said.

Prince Saud said that the Kingdom will spare no efforts in its contacts for the interest of the situations in Lebanon and occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that the Kingdom is exerting all efforts with all effective parties to solve this problem.

Replying to a question on the convention of an Arab Summit, he said,"We are conducting consultations and the Kingdom will set its stand on this topic after consultations."

He emphasized the importance of a cease fire at present in order to solve outstanding issues such as handing over the soldier and release of prisoners.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis