Saudi Arabia Denies Coup Attempt to Topple Saddam

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 19, 2003

Saudi Arabia Denies Coup Attempt to Topple Saddam

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Head of the Saudi Intelligence Prince Nawaf Bin Abdelaziz on Saturday denied US reports claiming that the kingdom has put pressures on Iraqi generals to carry out a coup to topple President Saddam Hussein, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency said.

In a statement issued in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the prince described what was published in some US weekly magazines as "untrue," saying the kingdom "will never interfere in the Iraqi internal affairs and has no contacts with Iraq is inside or outside their country."

"It is a mere Iraqi internal issue whether Saddam remains in power or not," he stressed.

Recent US reports said Saudi Arabia, a key regional ally of the United States, has proposed granting a general amnesty to senior Iraqi officials as an encouragement for carrying out a coup against Saddam.

Saudi media dismissed the reports as "unacceptable," while saying the Saudi efforts to achieve settlement and security in the region will never include such proposals.

Last Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom, said in an interview with NBC in its "Today" program that he remains hopeful that a war in Iraq can be avoided, adding that he believes that the US policy in the Middle East "is tilted toward Israel."

On Monday, the Saudi cabinet also stressed that a chance should be given to a dialogue even if the United Nations Security Council issues a resolution to launch a war against Iraq.

The cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to Iraq's unity and territorial integrity as part of the Arab and Muslim world.

The oil-rich kingdom has publicly rejected a war and expressed opposition to being made a launch pad for a possible military strike against Iraq.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Iraq Seeks Deal on Exile for Saddam - Der Spiegel

>> Full Coverage

Jiang, Bush Talk over Phone on DPRK Nuclear Issue ( 9 Messages)

China Indignant over PM Koizumi's Shrine Visit ( 7 Messages)

Thousands Protest in Los Angeles against US War against Iraq ( 2 Messages)

China's Vehicle Output Ranks World Fifth ( 2 Messages)

Reflector Installed on 'Shenzhou IV', Measurement Accuracy Greatly Raised ( 2 Messages)