July 30, 2004

THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP STRESSES TO THE IRAQI PREMIER ITS KEENNESS ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ, ITS UNITY AND STABILITY. THE RESUMPTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAQ. RESULTS OF ALLAWI'S TOUR IN THE ARAB REGION. THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP REVIEWS WITH POWELL THE DEVELOPMENTS IN PALESTINE AND IRAQ. MUBARAK AL ASSAD SUMMIT STRESSES THE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT STABILITY IN IRAQ. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Salam palace Iraq's Premier Dr. Iyad Allawi and his accompanying delegation. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the Iraqi premier to his second country, the Kingdom, wishing him and the accompanying delegation good stay. Dr. Allawi expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the King for the warm welcome and good hospitality, wishing the Kingdom's government and people steady progress and prosperity. They discussed the latest developments in the region particularly the situation in Iraq. In this regard, the two sides stressed Iraq's unity, sovereignty, stability and security so that it can resume its effective role at the international arena. All situations at Arab, Islamic and international arenas, aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and ways of their enhancement in all fields were also reviewed. On the Saudi side, the audience was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency; ministers; and senior officials. On the Iraqi side, the audience was attended by Minister of Planning and Developmental Cooperation Dr. Mahdi Al-Hafez; Minister of Communications Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Hakim; Minister of Defense Hazem Al-Shaalan; Minister of Petroleum Thamer Abbas Al-Ghadhban; other ministers and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, met at his palace with Iraq's Premier Dr. Iyad Allawi. At the outset of the meeting, the Crown Prince welcomed the Iraqi premier and his accompanying delegation, wishing them good stay in the Kingdom. They discussed all situations and developments in the region topped by the situation in Iraq and stressed Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and the necessity for achieving its security and stability so that it can resume its positive role as an effective member at the international arena. Latest developments at Arab, Islamic and international arenas and aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries were also reviewed. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Rural and Municipal Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Abdulilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah Region; and Minister of Hajj Iyad Ibn Amin Madani who is also the accompanying minister. On the Iraqi side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Planning and Developmental Cooperation Dr. Mahdi Al-Hafez; Minister of Communications Dr. Mohammed Ali Al-Hakim; Minister of Defense Hazem Al-Shaalan; Minister of Petroleum Thamer Abbas Al-Ghadhban; other ministers and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, held a luncheon party in honor of the Iraqi premier and the delegation. The party was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Rural and Municipal Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Abdulilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah Region; other princes; ministers; and senior officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a telephone call from President George W. Bush of the United States of America. During the conversation, they reviewed the situations in the region, issues of mutual interest, and bilateral relations between the two countries. Iraqi Premier Dr Iyad Allawi met with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister. They reviewed issues of mutual interest including bilateral relations. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, held a dinner party in honor of Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Iyad Allawi and his accompanying delegation. The party was attended by Prince Ahmad Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Interior, a number of Princes, ministers and officials. Iraq's Prime Minister Dr Iyad Allawi expressed his happiness to visit the Kingdom and to meet with Saudi officials, praising the unlimited support provided by the Kingdom to Iraq and its people. In a press conference held in Jeddah, Dr. Allawi said that his talks with Saudi officials were positive and distinguished, noting that there is a strong intention to build real and brotherly relations between the two countries. He added that the two sides also agreed on all matters concerning economic and investment cooperation. The Iraqi premier indicated that the Iraqi embassy will be opened in the Kingdom and the Saudi embassy will be opened in Iraq when stability is achieved there. He added that the Iraqi ministers held talks with their Saudi counterparts on exchanging security information and hunting down smuggling gangs in drugs and other fields, stressing that the security of the two countries concerns each of them. Dr. Allawi announced that a meeting will be held soon between Saudi and Iraqi businessmen to discuss investment opportunities in Iraq, noting that there is a Saudi promise to participate in the meeting in addition to a Kingdom's material pledge of U.S. 1 billion. Allawi said the Saudi government could play a role in Iraq's security by monitoring their shared border, exchanging intelligence information and hunting down gangs and drug dealers. "There is a draft Saudi-Iraqi agreement to set up monitors along the border, exchanging intelligence information and detainees," he said. Allawi said he wanted to improve relations with former enemy and neighbor Iran. "We are working on having better relations with Iran. We have no proof that Iran or any other state is implicated in terrorist activity in Iraq," he said. Allawi said a decision by Iraq's postwar US-led authorities to liquidate the army and security apparatus of Saddam Hussein had aggravated attacks in his country. "It was a gross mistake which opened the door for different gangs to wreak havoc in Iraq," Allawi said. Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Iyad Allawi received U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. The meeting was attended by members of the official delegations of the two countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Salam palace U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his accompanying delegation. Powell conveyed to the King the greetings of President George W. Bush of the United States of America. In turn, the King sent his greetings to the President. During the audience, they discussed the latest developments in the Middle East particularly the Palestinian issue and the efforts exerted to bring back the peace process to its normal track. They also reviewed the latest developments in Iraq and the two countries' keenness on its unity, sovereignty and stability so that it can assume its effective role in the region. Aspects of cooperation between the two countries and ways of their enhancement were also discussed. On the Saudi side, the audience was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and Chief of the Court of Cabinet's Presidency; ministers; and senior officials. On the U.S. side, the audience was attended by Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter; Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs William Burns and Consul General Gina Abercrombie. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his palace U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his accompanying delegation. Powell conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of President George W. Bush of the United States of America. In turn, the Crown Prince sent his greetings to the President. During the audience, they reviewed the situations in the Middle East particularly the Palestinian issue, the situation in Iraq, and the latest developments at the international arena. Aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries were also discussed. The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter. On the other hand Egypt and the US agreed to resume strategic dialogue, said Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, at a joint press conference held with his US counterpart Colin Powell. The two sides agreed to continue consultations over an array of issues of mutual concern, at the sidelines of the coming session of the United Nations General Assembly, due in September. Abul Gheit termed his talks with Powell as "fruitful" adding that they dwelt on the situation in Palestine, Iraq and Sudan, along with bilateral ties. At a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the Egyptian top diplomat said the two sides are determined to resume the Middle East peace process and set the theatre for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and bringing into effect the Palestinian initiative to help achieve the withdrawal. Asked about fears that the US-British scenario in Iraq could be repeated in Sudan whose stability is of greatest importance to the Egyptian national security, Abul Gheit said there is an international concern over the situation in Darfur and the international community is willing to stop any conflicts there and help inhabitants of Darfur and the Sudanese citizens. He added that there is an international understanding of the critical situation in Darfur. Abul Gheit and Powell probed means of extending assistance to the Sudanese government and people as well as resuming work through diplomatic channels represented in the African Union. In this context, Abul Gheit underlined the importance of giving more time to the Sudanese government to enable it carry out its obligations. Abul Gheit said the pressure of the international community on Sudan over the humanitarian crisis there emanates from fear that the country could plunge into a catastrophe similar to those which plagued other African nations. The Egyptian diplomat also asserted to Powell that the Sudanese government was exerting all possible efforts in this respect. As regards the Palestinian cause, Abul Gheit said Egypt is contacting the Palestinians in order to restore stability there. The Egyptian top diplomat said Egypt insists that Israel should fully withdraw from Gaza and that the withdrawal should thoroughly comply with the Roadmap Plan. The Egyptian foreign minister also explained that Egypt was ready to contribute to rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure to assist the Palestinians run their own affairs inside Gaza. He said: "We are confident that the recent agreement between Palestinian President Yassar Arafat and his Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei will find its way towards implementation." Responding to a question on the Egyptian reform process, Abul Gheit said Egypt continues its reform process, which he described as a vital and renewable modernization process" all over the past years. He asserted that Egypt was working in accordance with plans that comply with its economic and social resources. Abul Gheit pointed out that the new Egyptian government was determined to continue its plans. On his part, Powell described his talks with Abul Gheit as very good, noting that they came following his talks with President Hosni Mubarak earlier in the day. He also voiced satisfaction over his talks with prime Minister Ahmed Nazif in which Nazif asserted the Egyptian government's keenness on going ahead with its economic reform. Powell also said he tackled with Abul Gheit issues concerning the ME peace process and the situation in Iraq. The US Secretary of State praised Egypt's readiness to train Iraqi security elements in order to enable the Iraqis to protect themselves and their properties and build a stable and democratic Iraq. He described the situation in Darfur as very critical, saying that the international community, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations were deeply worried about the situation in Darfur. He said he had visited the region and witnessed the suffering of people there. He believed that the Sudanese government should be given more time to implement its pledges, sounding the alarm that the people suffering there would not be able to withstand for long any impending famine and disease. He said this is the motive which pushed the international community to exercise pressure on the Sudanese government to guarantee it would honour its obligations and allow humanitarian aid to be dispatched. Powell also noted that Sudan should do its best to stop the Janjaweed militia in order not to harm the security and stability in the region. He added that he discussed the crisis in Darfur with President Mubarak and his foreign minister who affirmed that Egypt would work within the context of the international community which he hoped would encourage Sudan to do its best to settle the problem. Concerning the US policy over the past years, Powell said the US was working on alleviating sanctions and not imposing or expanding them, adding that Washington was also working to enhance reconciliation in Sudan which so far led a peace agreement between the north and south of Sudan. He said the suffering of the Sudanese people has pushed Washington to refer a draft resolution on Sudan to the UN Security Council. Replying to a question on his talks with Mubarak as regards the Palestinian cause, Powell highlighted the importance of benefiting from the opportunity to be made available through the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and from four settlements on the West Bank. Powell reiterated that all these moves should be carried out within the context of the Roadmap Plan, devised by the Quartet, and in line with the principle that the final status on the Palestinian-Israeli track should be determined through negotiations. In this respect, Powell said the Palestinian side should take responsible action, expressing hope that a security reform agreement reached between Arafat and his Prime Minister Qurei would be implemented on the ground. He also voiced hope that Egypt would assist efforts exerted in this respect and work side by side with other parties. On Iraq, Powell said there is still a chance to meet the dates set for completing the political process and hold elections in Iraq. Powell voiced belief that additional troops were needed to secure the UN mission which would play and important role in the political process there. Concerning relations between Egypt and the US, Powell believed they were headed for the right direction. He also voiced satisfaction over the hearing of resuming strategic dialogue between the two countries. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, held a second session of talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. In a press statement following the talks, Prince Saud hoped that there will be efforts to quickly achieve security in Iraq, rapidly withdraw the alliance troops from there, and restore sovereignty to Iraq. He added that we reached ideas presented to Iraq's Prime Minister who in turn will present them to the Islamic countries as well as the United Nations. Prince Saud indicated that if we want to achieve peace in Iraq, the departing troops should be replaced with other peace keeping troops. As regards the opening of the Kingdom's embassy in Iraq, he said it is related to security matters, noting that the embassy will be opened when there is security. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell held a joint press conference. Prince Saud expressed his satisfaction over the talks that he has held with the U.S. secretary. He noted that Powel held talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and added that Powel's talks with the Crown Prince focused on the situation in the Middle East, Iraq and joint efforts to combat terrorism. On his part, the U.S. secretary pointed out that he held good talks with the King and the Crown Prince and they discussed bilateral matters particularly terrorism and the efforts exerted by the Kingdom during the recent months to combat terrorism that has threatened the Kingdom. He said, " We have been subjected to this terrorism for years. Saudi Arabia is committed to combat terrorism. It has hunted down, killed and arrested 19 of those terrorists. We thank the Kingdom for supporting our efforts and the international efforts in this regard.'' Powel expressed his pleasure over the restoration of relations between the Kingdom and Iraq, indicating that he will meet Iraq's Premier Dr. Iyad Allawi. Replying to a question if there are certain proposals for the Kingdom to deploy forces to Iraq, Prince Saud said that he held talks with Powell that will be completed today evening, adding that he will speak about this topic following the end of talks. On the recommendations of September 11 Commission and the need for reform in the Kingdom, Prince Saud said that the Saudi leadership welcomed reform. The reform process has started. Changes have been prepared for our institutions. Now, there are the Shoura Council with authorities and the Municipal Councils. A dialogue has started to unanimously agree on dealing with difficult matters facing the country. All the Kingdom is working in the field of reform. Reviewing the press, you can have a look at the achievements in this regard. Prince Saud added that we have always said that ready-made reforms for every country can not be done. These reforms should be in line with the people's desire and all citizens' participation. We shall continue on reforms for the interest of the Saudi people. On his part, the U.S. secretary pointed out that he discussed with Prince Saud and other Saudi officials the reform matters and the forthcoming municipal councils. He noted that the United States of America has encouraged these reforms and each country should determine its way that will be pursued in light of its culture, civilization and beliefs. Powel added that The U.S.A and Group 8 expressed their readiness for help in this regard, but these reforms should start from these societies. He cited Prince Saud Al-Faisal as saying the Saudi people look forward to these reforms that should be satisfactory to the Saudi leadership or the people alike. In reply to another question on issuing a rule on Muslims and Arabs through the acts of terrorists who do not represent real Islam, Powell said that the U.S. president told Arab and Muslim leaders during his talks with them that we do not believe that the acts of these killers have reflected the truth of Islam or beliefs of the Arab people. We will do our best to convey this viewpoint all over the world. As regards, the U.S. effective role in achieving peace in the Middle East, Powell said that we will continue our work with the Israeli government to withdraw settlements from Gaza. As for the matters of a final solution or status, we will participate along with the United Nations. This is our viewpoint supported by the Crown Prince and the Saudi Government. There will be a Palestinian government alongside the Israeli government. Meanwhile the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its appreciation of the 9-11 Commission's hard work over the past 20 months as well as the time spent by the Commission's staff in the Kingdom and with Saudi officials. In a press release issued by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister in the joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Prince Saud described the Commission's final report last week as serious and comprehensive, welcoming its findings. Following is the full text of the press release: Last week, the United States National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States issued its final report. We appreciate the 9-11 Commission's hard work over the past 20 months, as well as the time spent by the Commission's staff in Saudi Arabia and with Saudi officials. They have produced a serious and comprehensive report and we welcome their findings. The 9-11 Commission has put to rest the false accusations that have cast fear and doubt over Saudi Arabia. For too long, Saudi Arabia stood morbidly accused of funding and supporting terrorism. In contrast to the insinuations of the infamous Congressional report, with its 29 redacted pages, which aimed at perpetuating these myths instead of investigating them seriously, now there are clear findings by an independent commission that separate fact from fiction. The 9-11 Commission has confirmed that there is no evidence that the government of Saudi Arabia supported or funded Al-Qaeda. According to the report" ... we have found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization." The falsehoods that were disseminated about the flights that carried some Saudis after 9-11 when American airports and airspace were closed were shown by the report for what they were : at best a figment of the imagination, and at worst an intent to incriminate. The Commission found that these flights were handled professionally, and "they concluded that none of the passengers was connected to the 9-11 attacks and have since found no evidence to change that conclusion." The 9-11 Commission goes further to highlight the fact that the Saudi government was pursuing Bin Laden prior to the attacks on the United States. The report refers to the Kingdom's success in disrupting Bin Laden cells in Saudi Arabia "that were planning to attack U.S. forces with shoulder-fired missiles." The report vindicates Saudi Arabia. We hope that "Saudi bashing" will now come to an end as people acknowledge the true facts about terrorist activity and our determined efforts to combat it. Today, the government and the people of Saudi Arabia are engaged in a determined and deadly battle with Al-Qaeda forces. This is a battle that we cannot and will not lose, God willing. But to succeed, we need encouragement, not recrimination; we need partners, not prejudice; and we need cooperation, not condemnation. For too long, almost any rumor about Saudi Arabia was accepted as truth and a rush to judgment ensued. What the pundits and constant critics of Saudi Arabia may not realize is that the image of Saudi Arabia they tried to impress on the American psyche is in line with what the terrorists themselves wanted to accomplish. And both pundits and terrorists, through their actions, intended to sever ties between our two countries and peoples. This is no time for recrimination, but rather to join hands to build a better future based on trust and friendship. We welcome the Commission's call for a reassessment of our relationship. Together, we need to strengthen the pillars upon which the Saudi-American relationship rests; goals for global energy security, combating terrorism, the stabilization of Iraq, regional peace and security, and extensive trade and investment. Each of these areas is of great importance and directly impacts the economic well-being and security of both countries. And in each of these areas, there is much work to be done to broaden and deepen ties between us to herald a new era of cooperation. Iraq's Prime Minister Dr. Iyad Allawi and his accompanying delegation left after an official visit to the Kingdom. At King Abdul Aziz International Airport, they were seen off by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Iyad Madani, Minister of Hajj and a number of officials. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell also left Jeddah after an official visit to the Kingdom. At King Abdul Aziz International Airport, he was seen off by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and a number of officials. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad received Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Discussions during the meeting dealt with the situation in the region, developments on the Iraqi arena in addition to results of the latest Iraq's neighbouring states Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo. Talks also dealt with mechanisms of activating the signed agreements between the two sides in various domains. President Al-Assad and Allawi stressed the joint "keenness on Iraq's security and stability that positively affects the region in general and Syria and Iraq in particular." Both sides emphasized the importance of resuming the diplomatic relations suspended between the two countries since the beginning of the 1980s. President al-Assad stressed that Syria will do all it can to help Iraqi people preserve their country's territorial integrity and sovereignty and realize security and progress. The Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi also described as "comprehensive and to the point" his talks with president Bashar al-Assad. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Naji Otari, Allawi said " Talks with President al-Assad dealt with important issues pertaining to Syria and Iraq's joint security, causes of the region and with bilateral relations in all domains." Iraqi Prime Minister Eyad Allawi said "Iraq and Syria are sisterly countries and what harms Iraq, harms Syria too," adding "We have always been keen on best relations and cooperation with Syria." In an interview to Saudi Okaz newspaper, Allawi said that Syrian-Iraqi relations are historical. He stressed the importance of his visit to Syria as it achieved big political accomplishment in the interest of both countries. Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi expressed relief over the outcomes of his latest visit to Syria and his meeting with President Bashar al-Assad, adding Syria showed keenness on Iraq's interest and territorial integrity. In an interview with Lebanese Future T.V. Channel, Allawi said the relations between Syria and Iraq are based on integration and frankness, expressing content over the political results of his first ever tour which led to consensus on supporting Iraq. He pointed out that the full legitimacy of the Iraqi government will be acquired after the elections scheduled to be held in at the beginning of the next year. Iraq's interim prime minister Iyad Allawi denied the existence of Israelis in Iraq. He said that the information discussed by the mass media to that Iraq has become a base for the Israeli intelligence and permits the Iraqis to visit Israel are not correct and not precise. Allawi said in a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Rafic Hariri in Beirut said that Baghdad will not normalize its relations with Israel before the Arab states, noting that Iraq will not take any separate steps in any topic relating to the question of settlement with Israel. Allawi made talks with senior Lebanese officials that dealt with the situation in Iraq and the efforts aiming at achieving security. The talks also dealt with the question of the frozen Iraqi assets in the Lebanese banks. The Iraqi prime minister also talked about the possibility of resuming the exportation if the Iraqi oil via a pipeline passing through Syria and Lebanon. In this regard, Hariri said that this matter requires an agreement with Syria, which this pipeline passes through its lands first. Both Hariri and Allawi considered in their press conference the decisions taken during the talks important as positive, and it was agreed to form a supreme strategic committee chaired by the prime ministers in the two states seeking to fix economic and strategic relations. Allawi arrived in Beirut in an official visit which lasts for three days coming from Syria. Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi stressed his country's keenness to enhance relations with Syria and countries in the region, referring to the agreements recently signed between Syria and Iraq in the economic, oil and security fields. Allawi announced that Lebanon and Iraq had agreed to establish a Higher Strategic Committee on cooperation and coordination to boost economic and trade projects between both countries. Hariri, for his part, said talks with the Iraqi delegation dealt with the issue of restart of pumping Iraqi oil into Lebanon. He pointed out that the issue of Iraqi deposits in Lebanon is being discussed in a way that preserves the rights of Lebanese and Iraqi people. Earlier, Hariri and Allawi discussed in a meeting in Beirut the latest developments in the region and Iraq in addition to means of enhancing bilateral relations in the political, economic and trade fields. Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi urged Islamic countries to "stand as one group" against terrorists and voiced support for formation of Saudi-led Muslim force to help stabilize his country. In Cairo, the Arab League said any such force would only be acceptable if ordered by the U.N. Security Council and linked to a specific timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The Iraqi official told a news conference in Cairo that the region's leaders should unify and "stand as one group" against "those gangs, those terrorists and those criminals" who he said are threatening the Arab world. Allawi said that if the 15-month old insurgency in Iraq prevails, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon would not be safe. Allawi voiced support for an initiative under which Muslim countries would contribute to the creation of a new force that would help bring stability to Iraq. Under the proposal, Arab and Muslim countries that do not border on Iraq would be invited to contribute. Iraq believes involvement by its immediate neighbors in the country's security could ultimately lead to political conflicts with them. "We look forward to the contribution of the Arab and the Islamic states with the exception of the neighboring states," Allawi said. Powell welcomed the initiative and said the time may be ripe for a more active role by Arab and Muslim countries based on the handover of sovereignty to Allawi, along with the approval of a U.N. Security Council resolution that gives legitimacy to his interim government. In the framework of the sustained and intensive consultations by President Mubarak and Arab leaders for coordinating stances on Arab issues, Cairo witnessed a summit meeting between President Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad who paid a flight visit to Egypt during which he congratulated President Mubarak for his recovery after the surgical operation he has recently undergone in Munich. The Egyptian Syrian summit underlined the importance of unifying Arab efforts for rallying Palestinian ranks and enhancing the domestic Palestinian front as well as maintaining stability in Iraq in preparation for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraqi territories. Presidential spokesman ambassador Maged Abdel Fattah said following the talks that the two leaders underlined the importance of unifying Arab efforts for rallying Palestinian ranks, enhancing the stability of the domestic Palestinian front as an initial step towards resuming the peace process and enabling the Palestinians of fulfilling their obligations under the road map. He said that the two leaders underlined the need for implementing the General Assembly's resolution on the separation wall. Ambassador Abdel Fattah denied reports on lukewarmness of relations between Cairo and Damascus saying that contacts between Presidents Mubarak and Al-Assad are sustained and have never stopped adding that President Al-Assad underlined the importance of efforts exerted by Syria for tightening control over frontiers with Iraq. He said Syria is keen to maintain the unity of the Iraqi ranks and that it is in the interest Syria of that Iraq must be unified, and enjoy Political, security and ethnic stability. The Syrian President underlined the importance of cooperation with Iraq in providing the conditions needed for the withdrawal of foreign troops renewing Syrian support for efforts by the Interim Iraqi Government in preparation for the elections which will be held early next year. President Hosni Mubarak also discussed with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos the latest developments in the Middle East in general and the situation in Palestine and Iraq in particular as well as a host of regional and international issues. The Presidency Spokesman Maged Abdul Fattah said Moratinos' visit comes in preparations for Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero late this year. President Mubarak welcomes Zapatero's visit, added Abdul Fattah, noting that President Mubarak lauded the new Spanish trend within the EU for activating the European pivots to support the Arab issues. For his part, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos hailed the wise role played by President Hosni Mubarak to push forward the stalled peace march. Speaking to reporters following his meeting with President Mubarak, Moratinos said that President Mubarak is maintaining his efforts to bring about peace for all parties and does not waste any chance to achieve the aspired peace. Moratinos, who worked for several years as the EU peace envoy to the Middle East, said he was keen that his first meeting during his current tour of the region to be with President Mubarak. The Mubarak-Moratinos meeting tackled the Palestinian cause and Egypt's role in urging both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli side to make the required drives, he said. Moratinos referred in this respect to the visit to be paid to Egypt on Wednesday by US Secretary of State Colin Powell as a new proof that Cairo would remain the cornerstone of peace. Replying to a question, Moratinos denied press reports claiming that he held meetings with former Palestinian security official Mohamed Dahlan in Cairo; he clarified that at present he did not need to meet him. The Spanish guest said that he met with a number of Palestinian figures and had phone calls with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat , and with Dahlan. Moratinos asserted to them that they should rally their ranks. Moratinos renewed his country's backing of Egypt's running efforts to move matters forward. A complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will be the best news for all, a goal which both Egypt and the EU are endeavoring to realize, he added. Meanwhile Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara reiterated Syria's support for Iraq, for restoring its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, for ending occupation and for maintaining re-building operations with the participation of all categories of the Iraqi people. Relations with any Iraqi government are based on those principles expressing the aspirations of the Iraqis. The statements were made during al-Shara's meeting with the country's journalists and representatives of Arab and international news agencies within the framework of the 13th. anniversary of the journalists day. ‏ Al-Shara said Iraq is a strategic depth for Syria and the former is also a strategic depth for the latter. ‏ We have suffered from the absence of sound relations between the two brotherly countries, and we are now trying to correct the course of these relations, al-Shara said. ‏ He referred to the Iraqi Premier Iyad Allawi's recent visit to Syria, which intended to solidify correct bilateral ties. ‏Replying to a question on the existance of infiltrators across the Syrian-Iraqi borders, al-Shara said the affair is groundless and such a manipulation aims to obstruct a new Syria-Iraq relation. He reiterated Syria's keenness on protecting Iraq's security and stability and on her preparedness to set up strong and long-term ties with sisterly Iraq.