Makkah-based Al-Nadwa said that the Kingdom’s call for the convention of a regional conference to review the future of Iraq reflects its concern to attend to the needs of the Iraqi people in the face of the deteriorating situation in Iraq. “After the Pentagon’s announcement of the end of military operations in Iraq, the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people remains a great challenge,” the paper said.
The paper pointed out that the regional conference due to be held in Riyadh at the level of Foreign Ministers constitutes a starting point for consultation to confront regional challenges and to work to ease the sufferings of the Iraqi people. It added: “It is the duty of Iraq’s neighbouring countries to offer support to the country until it achieves independent governance, and can take an effective role in regional and international arenas.”
Dammam-based Al-Yaum said that the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to hold a regional conference to consider the future of Iraq reflects the Kingdom’s awareness of its responsibility towards Iraq. It noted that developments in Iraq would undoubtedly affect its neighbouring countries. “So it is essential that Iraq’s neighbouring countries reiterate to U.S. Administration their keenness to preserve the unity and Arab identity of Iraq,” the paper said.
Jeddah-based Al-Madina said that Saddam Hussein was defeated because he did not respect the views of his people and chose to rule as a dictator.
Abha-based Al-Watan said that after defeating Iraq, the Americans have turned their sights on Syria. The paper noted that the occupation of Iraq coincided with the U.S. speech about a ‘road map’ for peace, and ongoing efforts to make the Palestinians bow their heads before Ariel Sharon and the other Israeli hawks.
Source: SPA
