Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Saudi Arabia Calls for Peaceful Solution to Iraqi Crisis
Saudi Arabia on Monday reiterated its call for a peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis within the framework of international legitimacy, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency reported.
Saudi Arabia on Monday reiterated its call for a peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis within the framework of international legitimacy, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency reported.
The Saudi cabinet made the call in a statement issued after its weekly session.
The statement also urged Iraq to fully implement the relevant United Nations resolutions to spare the Iraqi people from detrimental consequences resulting from any military confrontation.
Last Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom, said in an interview with the National Broadcast Company that he remained hopeful that a war in Iraq can be avoided.
He said he believes that the US policy in the Middle East "is tilted toward Israel."
On Jan. 13, Saudi cabinet also reaffirmed its commitment to Iraq's unity and territorial integrity as part of the Arab and Muslim world.
The cabinet stressed that a chance should be given to a dialogueeven if the United Nations Security Council issues a resolution to launch a war against Iraq.
Saudi Arabia, a US ally in the region, has repeatedly rejected apossible US military strike against Iraq and publicly expressed itsopposition to be a launch pad for that war.