Hello !
Recent Appearances... Rantburg
Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal Saudi Princes Arabia 20050619  

Arabia
Putin letter to Arab summit triggers strong Saudi attack
2015-03-30
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Rooters) - Saudi Arabia accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy on Sunday, telling an Arab summit that he should not express support for the Middle East while fuelling instability by supporting Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

In a rare move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that a letter from Putin would be read out to the gathering in Egypt, where Arab leaders discussed an array of regional crises, including conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya.

"We support the Arabs' aspirations for a prosperous future and for the resolution of all the problems the Arab world faces through peaceful means, without any external interference," Putin said in the letter.

His comments triggered a sharp attack from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

"He speaks about the problems in the Middle East as though Russia is not influencing these problems," he told the summit right after the letter was read out.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia have been cool over Moscow's support for Assad, whom Riyadh opposes. The civil war between Assad's forces and rebels has cost more than 200,000 lives in four years.

"They speak about tragedies in Syria while they are an essential part of the tragedies befalling the Syrian people, by arming the Syrian regime above and beyond what it needs to fight its own people," Prince Saud said.

"I hope that the Russian president corrects this so that the Arab world's relations with Russia can be at their best level."

The Saudi rebuke may have been awkward for summit host Egypt, which depends heavily on billions of dollars in support from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab allies, but has also improved ties with Moscow.

In February, Putin received a grand welcome in Egypt, signaling a rapprochement.
Link


Arabia
Saudis give apparent warning to Iran: don't meddle in Iraq
2014-06-18
Saudi Arabia gave an apparent warning to arch enemy Iran on Wednesday by saying outside powers should not intervene in the conflict in neighboring Iraq.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal also said Iraq was facing a full-scale civil war with grave consequences for the wider region.

His remarks coincided with an Iranian warning that Tehran would not hesitate to defend Shi'ite Muslim holy sites in Iraq against "killers and terrorists", following advances by Sunni militants there.

Speaking at a gathering of Arab and Muslim leaders in Jeddah, Prince Saud urged nations racked by violence to meet the "legitimate demands of the people and to achieve national reconciliation (without) foreign interference or outside agendas".

"This grave situation that is storming Iraq carries with it the signs of civil war whose implications for the region we cannot fathom," he said.


Link


Africa North
Sudan Says It Declined Iran Air Defense Offer After Israeli Strike
2014-05-30
[Ynet] In fear of upsetting Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
, Sudan distances itself from the Islamic republic while denying any connection to Moslem BrĂźderbund.

Sudan turned down an Iranian offer to set up air defenses on its Red Sea coast after a 2012 air strike Khartoum blamed on Israel, fearing they would upset Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, Sudan's foreign minister was quoted as saying on Thursday.
They also wanted a system that would work...
In an interview with the Saudi-owned al-Hayat newspaper that seemed aimed at improving frosty ties with Riyadh, Ali Karti played down Khartoum's links to Iran and to the Moslem BrĂźderbund, which is outlawed in Saudi Arabia.

"Iran, in truth, offered to set up air defense platforms on the Western coast of the Red Sea after the latest Israel raid, but Sudan rejected that because this would require Iranian arms experts (on the ground)," Karti said during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, al-Hayat reported.

"We rejected that because it is an Iranian presence against Saudi Arabia, something which we do not accept," he added.

The 2012 air strike killed four people and partially destroyed an arms factory in Khartoum. Sudan blamed Israel, which did not comment at the time on the accusations.

Israeli officials have in turn accused Sudan of funneling weapons from Iran to the Islamist Paleostinian group Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, in the Gazoo Strip. Iranian officials were not immediately available for a comment on Karti's comments.

Sunni-powerhouse Saudi Arabia, a key regional ally of the United States, has been locked in a contest with non-Arab Shiite power Iran for influence in the Middle East.

The rivalry has effectively divided the region into two camps, with countries either allied to Saudi Arabia or to Iran.

Qatar factor
Sudan has been entangled in a complex web that put it at odds with Saudi Arabia when the world's top oil exporter tried to shore-up Egypt's military-backed government in its struggle with the Moslem BrĂźderbund after the army ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi
...the former president of Egypt. A proponent of the One Man, One Vote, One Time principle, Morsi won election after the deposal of Hosni Mubarak and jumped to the conclusion it was his turn to be dictator...
 from power last year.

Sudanese media have said Karti travelled to Saudi Arabia two weeks ago for talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal to improve 'lukewarm' ties between the two countries.

Karti denied that Khartoum supported the Moslem BrĂźderbund, which has been outlawed by Egypt as well as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Brotherhood's embrace of the ballot box challenges the principle of dynastic rule in the Gulf.

"There is a belief in the Gulf states that we have feelings towards the Moslem BrĂźderbund in any country in the Gulf or even in Egypt. But Sudan has refused to join the Moslem BrĂźderbund group," Karti said, according to al-Hayat.

Sudan said last month after a visit by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani that Doha would deposit $1 billion at Sudan's central bank as part of an aid package to Khartoum -- a move likely to be seen in the region as evidence of Sudan's ties to Qatar, an ally of the Brotherhood.

In his interview with al-Hayat, Karti also played down Sudan's relationship with Tehran. "Our ties with Iran are quite ordinary," Karti said.
Link


Arabia
UAE, Saudi Form Joint Panel to Confront 'Regional Challenges'
2014-05-21
[AnNahar] Gulf neighbors the United Arab Emirates and Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
 on Tuesday announced a joint committee to confront "regional challenges," in a statement published on official Emirati news agency WAM.

The move came as Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal met UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have cracked down on Islamists accused of links to groups such as the Moslem Brüderbund and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front fighting in Syria.

Riyadh has designated both groups "terrorist" organizations.

The newly formed "supreme committee" will be overseen by the Saudi and UAE foreign ministers, WAM said.

It will "implement the strategic vision of the leaderships of both countries to increase security and stability to face regional challenges," WAM reported.

Tensions have been running high between Saudi Arabia and the UAE on one side, and Qatar on the other. All belong to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

In an unprecedented escalation in March, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain pulled their ambassadors from Qatar after accusing it of meddling in their internal affairs, a charge Doha dismissed.

Qatar is accused of supporting the Moslem Brüderbund, to which Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies have long been hostile.

They fear its brand of grass-roots activism and political Islam could undermine their own authority.
Link


Arabia
Kuwait Emir to Visit Iran amid Thaw in Relations
2014-05-21
Bow to the regional strong horse, at least long enough to stick a knife in its back.
[AnNahar] Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah will travel to Iran on May 31 amid a recent thaw in Tehran's relations with Gulf states, the Iranian foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Relations between Iran and the Gulf states have been frosty for years, with disagreements over the unrest in Bahrain and the conflict in Syria, before Hassan Rouhani was elected president of the Islamic republic last June.

"The visit (of the Emir), which is upon the invitation of President Hassan Rouhani, will open a new chapter in relations of both countries," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told news hounds at a news briefing.

Afkham said "several agreements were expected to be signed", without giving details.

In December last year, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif started a tour of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. But it ended without Zarif traveling to Iran's main rival, Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
Afkham said a visit to Saudi Arabia was on Zarif's agenda.

"We have received the verbal invitation and measures are being taken to organize this trip," she said.

"Iran and Saudi Arabia are two important countries in the region and their interaction is influential in the regional scope," she added.

Last week, Riyadh's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said he had invited his Iranian counterpart to visit the kingdom.

Tehran welcomed the plan and stressed the need to boost relations after years of strained ties.

The two countries have been at odds over Syria's civil war and the fallout from unrest in Bahrain.

In the Syrian conflict, majority Shiite Mohammedan Iran has backed the government of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Supressor of the Damascenes...
 while Sunni Saudi Arabia has been a leading supporter of rebel forces.

Rouhani said after his election win last June he wanted to reach out to Gulf Arab governments as part of efforts to end his country's international isolation.
Link


India-Pakistan
Musharraf moved to hospital; court grants exemption for today
2014-01-03
[DAWN] In an interesting turn of events surrounding the treason trial of Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
, the former army strongman was shifted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi after suffering a "heart problem" while en route towards the special court. The court later granted the retired general exemption from appearing before it for today's proceedings and ruled that an arrest warrant was not issued against Musharraf for medical reasons.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned to Jan 6, the same date as the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal is scheduled to arrive in Pakistain.

Earlier today, DIG Security Jan Mohammad had informed the special court that Musharraf experienced heart problem and was subsequently transported to the hospital. When informed, the judges had announced a break until 4 pm after which they issued the ruling in the light of the latest developments in the case.

Meanwhile at the hospital, doctors performed an angiography on the former president and his wife Sehba also arrived at the hospital, DawnNews quoted sources as saying.

Moreover, Musharraf also spoke to his mother on the telephone.

Earlier today, the special court which had summoned Musharraf on Jan 2, had ordered the former dictator to appear in court before 11:30, warning that an arrest warrant would be issued against him in case he failed to comply with the court's orders.

The court also had to take a short recess following a walk out staged by Musharraf's counsel today. His lawyer Anwar Mansoor had walked out of the special court citing lack of sleep due to alleged disturbances outside the door of his residence the previous night. Mansoor said he had never experienced anything like it in his 40-year career.
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Saudi FM demands enhanced military support for Syrian opposition
2013-09-27
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal called on Thursday for enhanced military support to the Syrian opposition to change the balance of power on the ground.

Prince al-Faisal said hesitation to support the Syrian armed opposition would serve the extremists in Syria and would make it more difficult to achieve a speedy solution to the crisis.

He warned of the Syrian regime's tactic to buy time, calling for the planned Geneva II conference to be specified in a U.N. Security Council Chapter VI resolution.

The Saudi foreign minister also demanded increased humanitarian assistance to the Syrian refugees.

Link


Africa North
Arabs ready to cover cuts in foreign aid to Egypt: Saudi
2013-08-20
[Al Ahram] Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
 said on Monday that Arab and Islamic countries will step in to help Egypt if Western nations cut aid packages to Cairo over a crackdown on Islamist protesters.

"To those who have announced they are cutting their aid to Egypt, or threatening to do that, (we say that) Arab and Moslem nations are rich... and will not hesitate to help Egypt," Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.

Prince Saud was speaking upon his return from La Belle France, where he held talks with President Francois Hollande
...the Socialist president of La Belle France, an economic bad joke for la Belle France but seemingly a foreign policy realist...
, who strongly condemned violence in Egypt.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the North African country since security forces began a clampdown on Moslem Brüderbund protests last week.

US Senator John Maverick McCain
... the Senator-for-Life from Arizona, former presidential candidate and even more former foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution...
called on Washington to suspend its $1.3 billion in annual aid to Egypt's military after it overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on 3 July.

But some US politicians have expressed concern
...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended...
 that cutting off aid could endanger the peace treaty with Israel or compromise US privileges with regard to the Suez Canal.

Foreign ministers of the European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
 are to hold emergency talks on Wednesday to review the bloc's relations with Cairo.

At stake is nearly five billion euros ($6.7 billion) in loans and grants promised by the world's top aid donor to Egypt for 2012-2013. It includes one billion euros from the EU with the rest from European banks the EIB and EBRD.
Link


Africa North
Kerry Counsels against Violence in Egypt Protests
2013-06-26
[An Nahar] U.S. Secretary of State John F. I was in Vietnam, you know Kerry
Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat, conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State...
 on Tuesday urged all sides in Egypt to ensure that protests this weekend will not be violent and instead bring about "positive change" in the polarized country.
There, that'll take care of it. Tea?
Kerry, who discussed Egypt's chaotic politics with Saudi leaders during a visit to the regional power, said demonstrations were a "very legitimate" way of expression amid fears that authorities will clamp down.

"It is imperative that those demonstrations be peaceful, that the government will respect them and that people will respect their fellow citizens," Kerry said in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

"We will obviously hope that it will not produce violence and be a moment of catalyzing positive change in Egypt," he told a news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

Opponents of President Mohamed Morsi are calling for major rallies on Sunday to mark one year since his election, accusing the Islamist leader of betraying the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011....
Link


Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Syria can only be considered an ‘occupied land’
2013-06-25
Syria can only be considered as an “occupied land,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Tuesday during a press meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Faisal described the intervention of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria as dangerous, saying the opposition forces must be offered military help to defend themselves.

“The most dangerous development is the foreign participation, represented by Hezbollah and other militias supported by the forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” said Faisal, as quoted by Reuters.

Faisal criticized Syria’s allies, saying there was “no logic” behind Russia providing arms to the Syrian regime.

“The kingdom calls for issuing an unequivocal international resolution to halt the provision of arms to the Syrian regime and states the illegitimacy of the regime,” Faisal said, as quoted by Reuters.

Kerry headed Tuesday to Saudi Arabia in hopes of coordinating support for Syria’s opposition fighters amid fears that a prolonged civil war will embolden extremists.

In addition to meeting the Saudi foreign minister, Kerry will also engage in talks with Saudi Arabian intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who directs the country’s efforts to bring down Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Discussions include the Obama administration’s plans to provide military support to General Salim Idriss of the Supreme Military Council, the Syrian main civilian opposition group’s military arm.
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Saoodis Unhappy About Iran's Nuclear Program
2013-05-26
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has warned against the danger of Iran's nuclear program to the region's security and said Iran should not threaten its neighbors since countries in the region harbor no ill-intentions to the Islamic Republic.

"We stress the danger of the Iranian nuclear program to the security of the whole region," Prince Saud said Saturday in a joint news conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in the city of Jiddah.
Apparently he also doesn't believe the Iranians when they say their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only...
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Saoodis: Assad should not have role in Syria talks
2013-05-26
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Saturday that Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad should not take part in the proposed peace talks aimed at ending that country's deadly conflict, Alarabiya reported.

"It is impossible for Assad, his regime and its affiliates to play a role in the future of Syria," the Saudi minister told reporters in Jeddah.
Not that you can do a lot about it, except sent more young, disaffected youts cannon fodder to join the rebels...
An upcoming peace conference, expected to be set in Geneva, is a joint Russian and U.S. proposal to bring together representatives of the Syrian opposition and Assad's regime. However, the opposition's long-standing position has been that it will not negotiate until Assad agrees to leave, and there is no formal precondition for the conference of him stepping down.

Prince Faisal said he believes the Syrian National Coalition should be supported as a true representative of the Syrian people.

"We support the will of the Syrian people, which has expressed its will clearly, saying it does not wish to see any role in the conference for Bashar al-Assad, or any of those whose hands are stained with Syrian blood."

Prince Faisal voiced hopes that the upcoming Geneva 2 peace talks will put an end to bloodshed in Syria. Faisal said he hoped the conference would lead to an "immediate ceasefire and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve a peaceful transfer of power."
Link


-12 More