 During his three day visit to the Kingdom, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan commended Saudi Arabia’s role in the fight against terrorism and said the world body would discuss Riyadh’s proposal to establish a counter terrorism centre as part of a global strategy. Annan who was visiting the Kingdom for the first time discussed with the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah a range of major regional and international issues, including Iraq, Palestine and Syria.
Kofi Annan also met Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and several other dignitaries and officials. The main thrust of the joint press conference held by Prince Saud and Kofi Annan in Jeddah was Syria. Mr.Annan said he did not foresee US military action against Syria if it complies with a UN probe into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. “I have no indication that the United States is planning military action against Syria, regardless of the outcome of the investigation. While commenting on Mehlis investigation, he said: “The sole objective is getting to the truth and holding the perpetrators accountable. It is the beginning of a process. Impunity is not acceptable. Mehlis is following the evidence wherever it might lead and whoever is implicated should be held accountable regardless of position. As Saudi Arabia is important in the region and plays a vital leadership role, Annan urged Riyadh to push Damascus to cooperate.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia expressed its support to the UN role in resolving international disputes in accordance with international law. Prince Saud said: “The UN plays an important role especially at this time when there is turmoil and disarray in international relations. We depend on the UN to return things to order while following the international law.”
Annan agreed with Prince Saud on the difficult times and the challenges before the world. He said the need of the hour was collective security and international cooperation. These challenges cannot be tackled by a single country. On Iraq, he said: “Although the UN Security Council debated thoroughly the issue of Iraq and did not vote in support of the war, it passed resolutions to help the Iraqi people, supported the electoral processes, the constitutional referendum, continues to support essential political processes there and also helps in the reconciliation efforts which is a long-term process.” |
