|
|
April 8, 2005 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|||||
THE COUNCIL DENOUNCES THE SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS IN LEBANON. PRINCE ABDULLAH TO PRINCE NAIF: SECURITY MEN HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE A THORN IN THE SIDE OF ANY WICKED AGGRESSOR. PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL: TERRORIST ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTE A NEW PHENOMENON IN THE REGION AND ISLAM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TERRORISM AND DOES NOT TOLERATE MURDERING INNOCENT PEOPLE. THE KILLING OF 14 TERRORISTS AND THE DETENTION OF SIX IN AL RASS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the monarch briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of talks, consultations and meetings held over the previous days with a number of officials and envoys of leaders of brotherly and friendly countries on the latest developments in the region and the world. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to eradicating terrorism and fighting the deviating group. King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz commended the security men for their professional handling of such events, their care for preservation of citizens' lives and the wiping out of the deviating aggressors with minimum loss. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Iyad Ibn Amin Madani, the Minister of Culture and Information, said that the Cabinet condemned terrorist acts which have taken place in Lebanon and the latest explosion in Matten region. The Kingdom urged that stability, security, cooperation, understanding and the national unity among various classes prevail over Lebanon. The Minister of Culture and Information reported that the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet instructed the concerned authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to carry out a resolution taken by the 23rd GCC summit held in Doha, Qatar, on 17-18 Shawal 1423 H. calling for equal treatment by the GCC respective governments of citizens of the GCC member states in several fields. The decision covers the fields of owning and circulating stocks and setting up stock companies and eliminating all kinds of restrictions that might hinder the above; the same applies to the field of social insurance and retirement and national sectors and elimination of restrictions that might hinder the above. The Cabinet also authorized the Minister of Commerce and Industry to issue a regulation for protecting secret commercial information, including the penalties for applied to violators as per approval of the Doha summit. Accordingly, the Saudi concerned authorities were assigned to enforce the decision, in coordination with the relevant bodies. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Abdul Aziz Ibn Salman Ibn Shabeeb as Legal Consultant at the General Presidency for Religious Research and Ifta; Abdullah Ibn Abdul Kareem Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Issa as Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior; and Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Ibn Bigairan Al Sibai'ee as Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratories Affairs at the Ministry of Health. The Cabinet also approved the transfer of Fahd Ibn Abdullah Al Zuhair from the post of Director General of the Hajj Minister's office to the post of Director General of the Madina branch of the Ministry of Hajj; and the transfer of Dr. Abdul Wahab Ibn Abdullah Baghdadi from his current post of Assistant Undersecretary for External Information at the Ministry of Culture and Information to the post of Director General for the Minister's office at the Ministry of Hajj. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard has praised the proficiency, heroic positions and bravery of security men in confronting wicked terrorists acts and expressed his appreciation of and thanks to the armed forces for their positions. In a cable addressed to Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, Crown Prince Abdullah stressed that security men have been and will be a thorn in the side of any wicked aggressor who attempts to infringe on the homeland's unity, stability and security and above all religion. Crown Prince Abdullah commended the bravery displayed by the security forces in their fight against terror. "Our security men will remain a thorn in the throat of every aggressor who tries to undermine the country's security and stability," he said in his message to Interior Minister Prince Naif. The Crown Prince wished a quick recovery for the brave security men who have sacrificed themselves for the homeland. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at the royal court at Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh princes, ministers, senior officials and citizens who came to greet him. The Crown Prince also received the family of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ibn Mohammed Ibn Nasser Al-Sihaibani, Chief of Joaf Court, who was killed by the deviant group. Crown Prince Abdullah also received a delegation of Jubail-based Al Bu Ainain from Bani Tamim who condemned the criminal acts perpetrated by the deviant group. The Crown Prince thanked them for their support for the Saudi leadership and their loyalty to their religion and homeland. The audiences were attended by a number of princes and officials. Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland, said the terror activities which take place in the Middle East countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, constitute a new phenomenon in the region. In a statement to the German newspaper of DE FILIT, Prince Turki said Islam has nothing to do with terrorism, adding that 'Islam doesn't tolerate murdering innocent people'. He noted that terrorism might be fed from some injustice practices in some parts of the Muslim world, as the case in occupied Palestine or Iraq. Prince Turki Al-Faisal pointed out that the terrorist Al-Qaeda Organization and its Leader Osama bin Laden view all courtiers as targets for their terror activities, because Al-Qaeda believes that it has the right to topple all existing governments. He made it clear that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going ahead on the path of economic and educational reform. Prince Turki Al-Faisal drew attention to the municipal elections recently held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as to the ongoing efforts to broaden the process of political partnership, and to develop the country's economy and labor market. Meanwhile three criminals who formed a gang and were found guilty by the concerned investigation bodies of kidnapping, robbery, killing, assassination and shooting, were executed in Sakaka. One of their collaborators was also sentenced to five years imprisonment, according to a statement of the Ministry of Interior. The Criminals were found guilty of killing security men and officials in Al-Jouf Region, misusing religion and describing Muslims as infidels to justify their crimes. The criminals, who were executed, include Hisham Bin Awwad Minzil Al-Awdhah, Mohammed Bin Awadh Bin Rija Al-Belhood and Amjad Bin Abdulaziz Bin Khamis Al-Jaber and the collaborator was Sultan Bin Abdulrahman Bin Mana'a Al-Mazyad. The criminals had a meeting earlier in Afghanistan and again they met in Al-Jouf on return to the Kingdom. Moreover, the inferences had shown that the collaborator sheltered them and had shown sympathy with their way of thinking. Elaborating the crimes, the statement said: "On 29/01/1423 AH, they shot fire at some of security men from a raised hilly-area, injuring four of them. On 25/05/1423, they agreed to assassinate government officials through kidnapping an Indian laborer and proceeding to an isolated area threatening him with machine gun and a knife as well as tied his hands and legs and left the Indian there. Later, they used his (the Indian) car to return and kill a security man. However, a patrolling police car suspected them, which was fired upon by them. Subsequently, they escaped. On 09/06/1423AH, they intended to kill a security man while he was returning home after his evening work and they shot at him resulting into his injury. On 06/07/1423Ah, they killed the Judge in a Court, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, in Sakaka after he had led Al-Jummah prayer. On 22/11/1423 AH, they counterfeited a plate number of a car and one of them wore female garments and came next to a security man's car and shot at him resulting into his serious injury. On 16/12/1423 AH, they killed the Undersecretary of Al-Jouf Governorate Dr. Hamad Al-Wardi in an empty street in the early morning while he was heading for his work. On 22/01/1424 AH, they killed the soldier Ali Al-Ruwaili and injured his colleague in the patrol car near to a school while they were on their duty. On 19/02/1424 AH, they killed Maj Gen. Homoud Al-Swailem of Al-Jouf police in an isolated area." The three Saudi criminals, who were part of a terrorist group trained in Afghanistan, were executed in this northern Saudi Arabian town. Saudi officials said that the criminals, who were described as extremists, were found guilty of killing security men and officials in Al-Jouf region, misusing religion and describing Muslims as infidels to justify their crimes. The three extremists had met earlier in Afghanistan and then reunified again in Al-Jouf on return to the Kingdom. Investigations showed that the collaborator had sheltered them and had shown sympathy with their line of thinking. The men were involved in many criminal attacks in the area at different times. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Maiman, a well-known religious scholar, said that such crimes are called acts of corruption in Islam, and that the Quran has warned people against indulging in such acts. "In Islam, those who are found committing such acts of corruption as killing, stealing and kidnapping are punished severely and therefore are executed or crucified," Sheikh Al-Maiman added. Security officials, who carried out a thorough investigation before swooping on the extremist killers, said police found enough evidence of their criminal activities when they raided their hide-out. Police also seized several weapons and vehicles the criminals had hidden in different suburban areas for use in their crimes. The Saudi Press Agency, which announced the execution of the trio, also quoted an Interior Ministry statement which reported the execution in Tabuk of Bandar Ibn Mohammad Ibn Nasser Al-Qaraani Al-Huwaiti for stabbing to death a Saudi national. As many as 14 suspected terrorists, including most wanted Al-Qaeda leaders, have been killed and five others have been wounded in three days of fierce clashes, the Interior Ministry said. Crown Prince Abdullah commended the bravery displayed by the security forces in their fight against terror. "Our security men will remain a thorn in the throat of every aggressor who tries to undermine the country's security and stability," he said in his message to Interior Minister Prince Naif. "Until the time of preparing this statement, 14 terrorists have been killed and five others have been wounded and arrested," a ministry official said, adding that one gunman had surrendered to police. The official said the security forces had successfully completed their mission in Al-Rass, 320 km northwest of Riyadh, where the clashes started last Sunday. Only 14 security men were wounded and hospitalized, the official said. Most of them, except two, sustained minor injuries, he said, adding that the injuries sustained by the two were not life threatening. Earlier, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Mansour Al-Turki said security forces were still combing the area after the end of the battle to evacuate casualties and collect evidence. It was the longest and toughest battle with the terrorists who used rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and machine guns against security forces. It was unclear whether Saleh Al-Oufi, commander of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was among the killed in the Al-Rass battle. However, some sources said Saud Al-Otaibi, a Saudi, and Abdul Kareem Al-Majati, a Moroccan, both on the most wanted list, were among the dead. One militant belonging to the Onaiza cell surrendered to authorities, the sources said. The faces of three dead terrorists were disfigured beyond recognition and their true identity can be established only after DNA tests, a source said. Security forces were cleansing the scene and the sound of helicopters disturbed the tranquility of Al-Rass city that was awake for three nights. "Thank God the siege is over. It is a great moment to see these terrorists vanishing from our sights," said Abdullah Al-Ruwais, a resident of Al-Rass. A huge crowd of Saudis and expatriates was present at the scene. "I am just wondering why these people have come here and endanger their lives," said one police officer who was seen driving the crowd away from the scene. Four schools in the area remained closed for the second consecutive day. Police successfully evacuated 94 girl students and 13 female teachers of the 25th elementary school in the area on the first day while the battle was raging. "Security forces have now complete control of the location. There is no resistance anymore," Turki said. The security forces stormed the last villa in which militants were barricaded after the gunmen had been moving from house to house. Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television reported last Monday that Otaibi and Majati had been killed in the battle. According to Saudi press reports, Majati was one of the masterminds of the May 2003 Casablanca bombings and the March 2004 Madrid train blast. Turki, however, could not confirm the reports about Otaibi and Majati. "We cannot for the moment reveal the identities of those killed or arrested," Turki said. "According to some reports, these leaders... are among them, but we need to confirm it," he added. The Interior Ministry said that seven Al-Qaeda suspects were killed and another was critically injured. "We want to take them alive but we will surround them until their military capabilities have been exhausted and try to avoid any losses among the security forces," Turki said. The gun battles began early last Sunday when security forces deployed in Al-Rass to track down a group of suspects who had taken refuge in a villa and come under fire from automatic weapons. Turki had told state television that the Al-Rass terrorists had stored "huge" amounts of ammunition and hand grenades. If the deaths of Otaibi and Majati are confirmed, only four of the most wanted 26 terrorists remain on the run. The others have been either killed or captured. "This is a monumental breakthrough for Saudi security forces," said Saudi security consultant Nawaf Obaid. "Not just domestically Majati was the subject of a major manhunt across Europe," he added. A campaign of bombings and shootings blamed on Al-Qaeda has killed 90 civilians in the Kingdom since May 2003, according to official figures. Thirty-nine members of the security forces and 99 militants have also been killed in the violence. Dr. Hisham Naderah, director general of the Al-Rass General Hospital said that his hospital was using its full potential to treat the injured. The gun battle began when security forces deployed in the area early last Sunday to track down a group of suspects holed up in a residential building and came under fire from automatic weapons, the ministry said. Residents said security forces deployed in large numbers at the site as helicopters hovered overhead and gunfire and loud blasts were heard in the area. The clash started at around 8 a.m. last Sunday. "The operation is continuing. The security forces have surrounded them. There is still gunfire from the besieged building," Interior Ministry spokesman, Brig. Mansour Al-Turki said earlier. Police had asked the suspects hiding inside a villa situated in the town's Jawazat District, to surrender but they refused and started firing at security officers, Turki said. Special security forces have closed all entry and exit points of Jawazat District as they continued their gun battle with militants for the second day, Brig. Turki told Arab News. He said security forces have besieged the suspected terrorists. All schools and shops in the area have been closed down in order to protect civilians from possible harm as a result of the gun battle. Security in the area have been beefed up with additional forces from Riyadh and Madinah. Qasim Governor Prince Faisal Ibn Bandar commended the security men for evacuating more than 100 students and teachers at a nearby primary school without causing them any harm. The students and teachers were held up in the school as a result of the gun battle. A campaign of bombings and shootings blamed on Al-Qaeda has killed 90 civilians in the Kingdom since May 2003, according to official figures. Thirty-nine members of the security forces and 99 militants have also been killed. Saudi officials say they have significantly eroded Al-Qaeda's militant networks over the past year, killing several local leaders and seizing huge arms caches. Saudi police have broken up a number of terrorist cells in various parts of the vast Kingdom and arrested tens of suspected terrorists. Large quantities of weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and explosive materials - including tons of bomb-making chemicals, detonators and rifles have been found in buried arsenals in the capital Riyadh, the province of Qassim and the Eastern Province. In northern Yemen fierce, clashes broke out between followers of a radical preacher and government forces after efforts exerted by tribal chieftains to mediate an end to the standoff failed. Tribal sources in the northern province of Saada said military forces surrounding remote mountainous areas resumed bombardment on hideouts of the preacher Badruddin Al-Houthi, whom the government blames for violence in the province. More than 30 people were killed or wounded as heavy fighting pitted army troops and counter-terrorism units against the rebels the Al-Shafia and Wadi Nushur (Nushur Valley) areas of Saada province, military and tribal sources said. Meanwhile, the deputy governor of Saada, Hassan Mannaa, escaped an ambush laid by the rebels in the town of Saada, a source close to Mannaa said. But five of his bodyguards were seriously wounded when his car came under fire. The fighting was resumed after mediators appointed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh failed to secure the surrender of Badruddin Al-Houthi and his armed followers who are holed up in mountainous hideouts in Saada, 250 kilometers north of the capital Sanaa. Local officials in Saada said the mediation team, headed by Sheikh Saleh ibn Shajaa negotiated last Monday with Abdullah Eyda Al-Ruzami, a close aide to Al-Houthi. They said Al-Ruzami refused to turn himself in to authorities or abandon Al-Houthi. The government has blamed Badruddin Al-Houthi, father of the slain cleric Hussein Al-Houthi, for the fresh round of clashes in Saada on the borders with Saudi Arabia. Violent clashes between followers of Al-Houthi and military forces in Saada have left around 100 people killed since the fighting renewed on March 28, after officials said members of Al-Houthi's Believing Youth group attacked military and police posts. Clashes first erupted last June and ended with the death of Hussein Al-Houthi on Sept. 10. The first round of fighting that lasted for more than ten weeks left at least 400 soldiers and rebels dead. On the other hand the United Arab Emirates will stand firm against any dubious transactions, said Sultan bin Nasser Al Suweidi, Governor of the UAE Central Bank and Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering National committee. "The United Arab Emirates is very keen on blocking all roads in the face of money laundering, dubious transactions and illegal Hawala system," Al Suweidi said during a reception held to give away certificates to 30 persons from the financial and banking sectors in the GCC countries. The certificates were issued by the 'Certified anti-money laundering specialists Society'. The UAE's hawala or informal money remittance system is well regulated with no proven suspicious transactions since the registration system was introduced two years ago. But there are no plans to start licensing "hawaladhars" nor making public their identities as their operations are monitored closely, the Central Bank chief said. "Registered hawaladhars report everything. We go through the reports to find suspicious amounts but so far we have not established anything. They are small amounts concerning workers," Sultan Bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, UAE Central Bank Governor, said at the Third International Hawala Conference. According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) directives, hawaladhars can be regulated through registration or licensing. "We have opted for the registration system because the licensing approach requires more formal work and examination that is meant for banks and exchange houses, not for freelance individual businesses like hawala." The Central Bank also has no plans to make public the identity of the hawala operators. "We cannot do that. We are committed to keeping their identity and information secret and that is why they trust us," he said. He said 155 hawala operators are registered with the Central Bank. Suwaidi categorically denied that the huge remittances made by expatriate workers in the UAE had any negative impact on the economy or the GDP. "There is always a negative impact if the money goes one way. But if the money goes and comes back there is no negative impact and there is a balance of that here," he said, responding to a report that remittances were impacting negatively on the UAE economy. He urged delegates to endeavour to devise regulations for the hawala system aimed at isolating wrong remitters and beneficiaries further. "Hawala regulations should be in line with the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Hawala and should take into consideration the needs of the poor and illiterate, mainly foreign labourers. "Regulations should also aim at preventing misuse of the system by money launderers and terrorist financiers or other criminals and should not be very restrictive or costly to implement." |
|||||
