Saudi Arabia and Spain called for the dissolution of all armed militias in Iraq in order to reinforce security in and bring stability to the war-torn country, said a joint communiqué issued yesterday at the conclusion of Crown Prince Sultan’s visit to Madrid.
The two countries also emphasized the need to expand Iraq’s political process by ensuring the participation of different groups in the government.
“The unity, sovereignty and independence of Iraq must be honored,” they said, urging others not to interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs.
The communiqué, which was carried by the Saudi Press Agency, stressed the two countries’ desire to sign an agreement for cooperation in security matters. The royal visit also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on defense issues.
Referring to the Palestinian issue, the joint communiqué backed resolutions taken at the Annapolis conference on Middle East peace and called for more positive steps to establish peace in the region.
It added that peace talks must focus on the core issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and must be based on international resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the road map.
“The two countries call on the international community to provide the means and facilities to the Palestinian Authority to assist the Palestinian people,” the communiqué said.
Praising the agreement reached by Lebanese factions in Doha, Saudi Arabia and Spain reiterated their support for the government to gain complete control of Lebanon.
The two countries also emphasized the need to diplomatically solve Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West. “All countries in the region must join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to make the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD),” it said.
Spain supported Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s proposal to establish an international "counterterrorism" center. It also praised King Abdullah’s initiative for interfaith dialogue and agreed to work with Riyadh to promote a culture of mutual respect and understanding between the Arab and Islamic world and the West.
PHOTO CAPTION
Saudi Crown Prince Sultan returns to Jeddah at the conclusion of his four-day official visit to Spain on Sunday.
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