Saudi Prince vows support for peace in Iraq

In meeting with UN envoy, Saudi Prince vows support for peace in Iraq

Meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan's chief envoy to Baghdad, Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia today voiced his full support for United Nations efforts to foster peace in Iraq.

During their nearly hour-long encounter, Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello briefed the Crown Prince on the process leading for the formation of the Governing Council of Iraq, a UN spokesman said in a statement released in the Saudi resort city of Taif, where the meeting was held.

"Crown Prince Abdullah welcomed the efforts of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his Special Representative for Iraq, and stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was deeply concerned about the fate of the Iraqi people, who were not only Arabs and Muslims but also neighbours and brothers," the spokesman said.

According to the statement, the Crown Prince offered his support for UN efforts "to assist the Iraqi people in achieving peace, stability and restoring full sovereignty" in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolution.

This is Mr. Vieira de Mello's first visit with the leader of a country bordering Iraq since arriving in Baghdad in early June. The envoy has plans to visit Teheran and Damascus next week.

During a recent visit to Amman, Mr. Vieira de Mello held talks with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, as well as with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

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