Saudi foreign minister renews objection to striking Iraq

The Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal on Monday renewed his rejection to launching a war against Iraq. He stressed that Saudi Arabia will not take part in any American attack against Iraq.

Replying to a question on whether Saudi Arabia still commits to its position concerning permitting the US to use its lands for attacking Iraq, the Saudi foreign minister said on Monday, in conclusion of a two day official visit to Algeria during which he had met with the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika, "I never said that Saudi Arabia will agree on the use of its territories for attacking Iraq."

He added that if a resolution will be issued by the UN Security Council according to article 7 of the UN charter "this will make it imperative on all to cooperate, however, it does not force any country to take part in the war or open its airspace or its lands to be used." Al-Faisal said that his country will concentrate on the diplomatic efforts to avoid an American attack against Iraq.