November 25, 2005

AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO EGYPT : CROWN PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ HAILS SAUDI ARABIA'S AND EGYPT COOPERATION. PRINCE SULTAN CONFIRMS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH AL-ARABIYA THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE READY WITHIN A MONTH. THE KINGDOM'S POLICY IS TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM HELPING TERRORISTS. NO MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE. SAUDI ARABIA HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, has sent a cable of appreciation and thanks to Egypt's President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak. The Crown Prince thanked the Egyptian President for a warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him. He expressed his pleasure over the cordial talks he had held with the President, noting that the talks affirmed deep contacts and cooperation between the two brotherly countries. I praise your wise opinions on various issues of interest to our two countries and Arab and Islamic nations, he said and added that your opinions have been identical with the viewpoints of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. The Crown Prince wished the President permanent good health and happiness and the Egyptian people steady progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, arrived in Riyadh after a several day visit to Egypt at the invitation of President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak. At Riyadh Airbase, he was received by Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Fahd Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Miteb Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior; Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region; a number of princes; Muslim scholars; sheikhs; ministers and senior officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, graced a dinner party held in his honor by Saudi ambassador to Egypt Hisham Nazir. The party was attended by Prince Turki Ibn Abdul Aziz and Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Nazeef as well as other princes and high-ranking officials. Crown Prince Sultan, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of defense and aviation, held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amre Moussa and emphasized Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen Arab unity. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed the latest situations at the Arab and international arenas, particularly the situations in Iraq and Palestine. "Prince Sultan and Moussa reviewed the latest situation in Iraq and Arab League's endeavors to achieve Iraqi national unity and reconciliation," the Saudi Press Agency said. The Crown Prince, who was on an official visit to Egypt, emphasized that the unity of Iraqi people was essential for the success of the political process and ensuring the war-torn country's sovereignty. Prince Sultan, who visited the Military College in Cairo and inspected a military parade there, underscored the strong relations between the two countries. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received at his guest residence in Cairo Amre Moussa, the Secretary General of the Arab League. At the outset of the meeting, Amre Moussa briefed the Crown Prince on the efforts exerted by the Arab League in the two areas. On his part, Crown Prince Sultan reiterated the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, for all efforts aiming at healing the Arab rifts and wounds and achieving understanding and coordination for the benefit of the Arab nation. "Prince Sultan reiterated that Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will support every effort to promote Arab unity and achieve understanding and coordination among the Arab countries," SPA reported. The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed Ibn Mohammed Aleiban and Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the AL Ahmed Gattan. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received a number of Saudi students studying in Egypt. During the meeting, Crown Prince Sultan advised them to focus on gaining knowledge from the Egyptian educational institutions for their own benefit and that of their families and nation. I am going to raise your problems with the minister of higher education in the Kingdom for consideration, he told them. The Crown Prince urged them to work hard in order to master modern science and technology. "Knowledge cannot be bought with money but can be obtained by determination and hard work," he told the Saudis pursuing their higher studies at Egyptian universities. Prince Sultan offered his support for Saudi students' clubs in both Cairo and Alexandria. The Crown Prince underscored the progress achieved by the Kingdom in the education sector. "The government has allocated SR11 billion for new schools, universities, technical institutes and vocational training centers," the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying. He emphasized the Kingdom's plan to promote education further by opening new private and public universities and colleges within the next five years. Speaking before him, the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Cairo Mohammed Alaqeel said there are more than 4000 Saudi male and female students studying in Egypt. Then representatives of the students addressed the gathering, some reciting poetry. The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed Ibn Mohammed Aleiban, Saudi ambassador to Egypt Hisham Mohyeddin Nazer and Saudi Military Attaché in Cairo Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al Dhahiri. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia, which has been fighting a wave of violence blamed on Al-Qaeda militants, could put an end to terrorism within two years, said Crown Prince Sultan, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of defense and aviation. "I can assure you that with the vigilance of security forces, intelligence agents and especially the Saudi people we might be able to end terrorism, God willing, within the next two years," he told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite channel. The Crown Prince however admitted that it would be difficult to get rid of terrorism completely. "No one in the world can prevent deviants," he said referring to Al-Qaeda terror network, and added that there is no danger from those coming back from Iraq as they are being rehabilitated. Saudi security forces have been carrying out a successful campaign against Al-Qaeda terror suspects since May 2003. Terrorists have killed more than 90 people including foreigners in the last two years and caused more than SR1 billion ($270 million) of damage in attacks on housing compounds and security force buildings. More than 40 security personnel and over 100 militants have also been killed in clashes, Saudi officials say. The Interior Ministry has issued two lists of Al-Qaeda suspects with a total of 62 militants. Many of them have been arrested or killed by police. Asked to assess the results of his visit to Egypt Prince Sultan said he visited Egypt upon an invitation from President Hosni Mubarak and the agreement of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. He stressed that his meetings with Egyptian officials were very fruitful. In reply to a question on the extent of this cooperation especially in the military and economic fields, the Crown Prince said cooperation in both fields is very positive and important. He said the proof is the joint committee established between both countries at the level of foreign ministers. He added that on the military level cooperation is on a high level, while agreements and training continue and are very satisfactory. Prince Sultan said cooperation between both the public and private sectors are very positive and Saudi investment is excellent and Egypt. Crown Prince Sultan stressed that reforms are being implemented through well studied projects. The Prince added that municipal councils in Saudi Arabia will be finalized in a month or so. He said that members of the Shoura Council hold high educational degrees. Prince Sultan added that there is no intention of founding a ministry for local government at the time being and the ministry of the interior is fully responsible for the regions affairs. The Prince spoke about the privatizations of the Saudi airlines and stressed that the rate of unemployment in the Kingdom is very low. He confirmed that there is no military deals between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and stressed that the Kingdom is free from Avian Flu. On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received senior commanders and officers of the Armed Forces' branches led by Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Sultan bin A'di Al-Mitairi who came to greet and congratulate him on safe arrival. Addressing the audience, the Crown Prince conveyed the greetings the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Supreme Commander of All Military Sectors who gives all interest to the Armed Forces. He noted that the Armed Forces are composed of national and Muslim believers and they are in service of the country to preserve its security. The Crown Prince pointed out that the aim is to upgrade and develop the Armed Forces through the provision of equipment and the intensification of training and exercises for all military sectors. He wished them all success for the Kingdom's interest, progress and prosperity. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, also received the President of Civil Aviation General Authority Eng. Abdullah bin Mohammed Rahimi and the Authority's senior officials. During the audience, they watched a documentary film on the Authority's new emblem. The Crown Prince approved the new emblem, wishing them all success. The emblem comes after a Cabinet's decision to transform Civil Aviation Presidency into an independent General Authority. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, received here today the Director General of Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ambassador Julio Pfirter and his accompanying delegation. During the audience, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed the Organization's efforts in banning chemical weapons. Pfirter thanked the Crown Prince for his personal interest in the Organization's activities and programs. The meeting was attended by Prince Dr. Turki Ibn Mohammed Ibn Saud Al-Kabeer, Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, Head of General Department for International Organizations and Chairman of National Commission for Implementation of Chemical Weapons Prohibition Agreement.