CAIRO: King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has sent a message to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, delivered Wednesday by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister, focusing on current Arab and Middle East developments, including the situation in Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Sudan. Addressing newsmen here, Prince Saud said the message emphasized the two leaders' similar views on developments in the Middle East. In his meeting with President Mubarak, Prince Saud said he listened to the Egyptian leader's views on these issues, which he will convey to King Abdullah. Asked to comment on the current visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Lebanon, he said this has created a great uproar. “But the most important [thing] is the result. I hope that the same uproar will be applied to peace in Lebanon,” said Prince Saud. Concerning the upcoming referendum on independence in Southern Sudan, he said the Kingdom and Egypt are giving due consideration to the situation. He said he hoped the Saudi and Syrian rapprochement will help to resolve the political situation in Lebanon and Iraq. He said the “best” the two countries can do to help Iraq is to offer advice, but the resolution of the crisis still lies with the Iraqis. He said he hoped a government would be formed representing all Iraqis. Ahmad Abu Al-Gait, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, confirmed that the message received by Mubarak from the King focused on Middle Eastern developments, following the recently held Afro-Arab Summit in Sirte. He said the message dealt with the situation in Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and the common approach of the Kingdom and Egypt.
