Saudi crown prince arrives in Damascus today
Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz arrives in Damascus today. During the visit the Saudi crown prince will hold talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.
In an exclusive interview with the London-based daily al-Sharq al-Awsat published on Tuesday, Crown Prince Abdullah said that Syria has refused any incomplete and non-comprehensive reconciliation or peace with Israel, as well as all verbal promises or those signed without a guarantee of Arab rights.
Prince Abdullah asserted, "Saudi Arabia will hold consultations with the Syrian leadership on all issues of interest to us and to the Arab and Islamic world, and they are many."
Replying to a question about the timing of his current Arab tour and whether it is the first Arab activity after Netanyahu's defeat and aimed at revitalizing the Middle East peace process, following the election of Barak as Israel's prime minister, Crown Prince Abdullah said: "These remarks are absolutely untrue because the kingdom's policy is not based on reactions. But the Arab issue along with its tracks namely the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese necessitates employing all circumstances and changes to salvage what Netanyahu has soiled."
He stated out that Saudi Arabia is not a mediator in the peace process but a partner in it.
On whether Saudi Arabia will back any new peace project if it is announced by Barak, the Saudi crown prince said his country refuses to be led by any party whatever. Crown Prince Abdullah said the kingdom will remain firm in its stands in respect of a just and comprehensive solution that maintains the Arab nation's legitimate rights, "We shall not accept partial solutions, either our full rights, together with holy Jerusalem, otherwise peace will not be attainable."
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Abdullah left Morocco on Tuesday, heading for Libya, the fourth leg of a tour of seven African, Arab and European countries, Map reported.
During his official visit to Morocco that was followed by a private stay in Casablanca, Crown Prince Abdallah held talks with King Hassan II.