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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Sky News) one hour ago — Saudi Arabia’s king has warned the current crisis between Lebanon, the Palestinians and Israel could spark a full-scale Middle East war.
King Abdullah has also pledged $500m to rebuild Lebanon and $250m to help the Palestinians.
- “If the peace option fails because of Israeli arrogance, there will be no other option but war.”
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King Abdullah
“No one can predict what will happen if things get out of control. The Arabs have declared peace as a strategic choice … and put forward a clear and fair proposal of land for peace and have ignored (Arab) extremist calls opposing the peace proposal … but patience cannot last forever.” Saudi state television quoted the king as saying in an official statement.
PARIS (AFP) July 20 – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Price Sultan Ben Abdel Aziz began a three-day visit to France likely to be dominated by the Middle East and French hopes for large arms contracts. He held an hour of talks with President Jacques Chirac in which the sole topic was the situation in the Middle East and in Lebanon “with a view to strengthening efforts for a de-escalation and a return to peace”, according to Chirac’s office.
The prince will also meet Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Although Saudi Arabia has used stronger language than France to criticize the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, and in particular civilian infrastructure, the views of the two countries are close.
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Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz who is also defense minister, is in Paris to discuss the fighting in Lebanon and Iraq and international efforts to stop Iran's nuclear program, as well as economic questions. AP Photo/John Schults, Pool
On his part, Prince Saud said views of the two countries were about to be identical on issues that concern the Middle East region, and …
- pointed out that the existing instability in the Middle East region was caused by failure to settle the Arab-Israeli dispute,
- slammed the Israeli arrogant policy towards its neighboring Arab countries.
Prince Saud underlined the importance of enabling the Lebanese government to spread its influence throughout Lebanese territories, and said “we should extend economic and political support to Lebanon in all spheres. We are friends of Lebanon, and we cooperate with it.”
● Original statement by Saudi Arabia on Hizbollah and Lebanon
[Critical statement from Saudi FM toward Hizbollah has been removed from the official site – Oui]
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
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