Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, today received at his palace guests of the National Guard, comprising scientists, intelligentsia, men of letters and journalists from the Kingdom and abroad, attending the 18th National Festival for Heritage and Culture currently in progress in Janadriyah.
At the outset of the audience, the attendees listened to a recitation from the Holy Quran with its interpretation.
The guests then greeted the Crown Prince.
Addressing the guests, the Crown Prince welcomed them and wished them all success.
The Crown Prince stressed that this trying time necessitates unity between Arab and Muslim nations and requires wisdom, reflection on internal and external affairs, self-control, and meaningful words to clarify the truth.
The Crown Prince called on attendees to seek to reunify Arab and Muslim nations, affirming that all should exert their best efforts to bring these nations together, since Islam is a target of others.
A frank dialogue then took place between the Crown Prince and the audience.
The Crown Prince answered a question on the possibility of a war against Iraq. He responded: “Undoubtedly, all indications suggest a war. But I personally believe - and Allah knows best - that there will be no war. This is my personal belief. I have not heard anything and nobody has told me anything at all. Iraq is dear to us. Iraq is part of the Arab and Islamic Ummah. Iraq’s elderly citizens, youth, women and children will suffer harm if there is a war. This is my belief, and all I know is that wars do not benefit anybody. Rather, everybody, including the perpetrator and target, loses. But, we pray to Allah that no war will take place, although we witness the deployment of fleets. Allah willing, there will be no war.”
On whether there is currently an initiative to prevent war against Iraq, he said: “If, Allah forbid, powers at the United Nations approve a war, Arabs will have a demand for the United Nations: to give Arabs a chance to reach an understanding with their brethren in Iraq. This is the demand of Arabs. I pray to Allah for the best.”
On a question regarding the peace initiative introduced by him at the Beirut Summit to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he said: “The initiative has now become an Arab initiative, and it still stands. But, on what you have kindly said and your request that I do this again, or that Arabs reunite, I will tell you a secret, and do not ask me to elaborate further: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sent proposals to its fellow Arab countries asking them to accept them and that they be the basis for any future summit, because I believe that they serve the Arab and Islamic world and give the Arab and Islamic peoples confidence. I hope that our brethren will accept them.”
Replying to another question on his affirmation that unity between Arab countries is the only solution to the crisis, the Crown Prince said: “I believe that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exerted all its efforts in this regard. History will fairly record the efforts of the Saudi people. We have done the duty imposed on every Arab and Muslim. The Kingdom has sent its proposal to Arab countries, and I hope that they will accept it since it will resolve many problems. I wish that every Arab and Muslim would seek reunification of Arab and Muslim nations. I pray to Almighty Allah to purify hearts. I wish that Arab and Muslim leaders agree among themselves for the service of their religion, countries and peoples.”
All participants then had lunch at the Crown Prince’s banquet.
The audience and luncheon were attended by: Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Undersecretary of the National Guard for the Western Sector; Prince General Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee of the 18th National Festival for Heritage and Culture; Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Advisor at the Crown Prince’s Court, other princes and officials.
Source: SPA
