Mubarak was first to support Saudi initiative

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal underlined that President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan were the first to express support for Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's Mideast peace initiative.

In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, Prince Saud said that the Egyptian leader is highly appreciated by Saudi Arabia.

Referring to Egypt's position, he said that no diplomatic initiative can come to light without Egypt.

He said that President Mubarak's non-participation in the Arab summit held in Beirut is likely due to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's absence.

He added, that President Mubarak exerted strenuous efforts to lift the siege imposed on Arafat but they have not been successful, a matter that rendered him angry and led to his non participation in the summit.

The Saudi Foreign Minister accused Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon of trying to prevent the Arab peace initiative from achieving its objectives.

He said that it was the first time that the Arabs agree on setting up an overall peace without establishing normal relations with Israel.

He underlined that it would not be possible to bring about an overall peace without a full Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories.

He criticized Israel for insisting on destroying Palestinian leader Arafat.

He also criticized the siege imposed on Arafat, saying that he tried to phone him but he could not due to the Israeli attack on his headquarters.

He underlined that it is impossible for Arafat to face up to acts of violence under the present circumstances and in the light of being accused of untrustworthiness.

He said that cycle violence and revenge should come to halt.