King Abdullah, president al-Beshir hold talks on bilateral relations & Arab summit

KHARTOUM, April 6, 2004 (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday started a two-day visit to Sudan where he held talks with President Omar Bashir on bilateral relations and means to hold the Arab summit as soon as possible.

In statements to the press upon arrival, King Abdullah voiced hope that the visit would give strong momentum to political, economic and military relations between the two countries.

King Abdullah and Bashir highlighted the importance of setting a date for the summit, which, they said, should be held as soon as possible.

In an interview with the Sudanese Akhbar Alyoum newspaper, King Abdullah said he hoped a consensus would be reached on the date and venue of the upcoming Arab summit, which should help bolster joint Arab action and activate the role of the Arab League.

In a related development, the King yesterday received a letter from Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on the upcoming summit. The letter was delivered to Prime Minister Faisal Fayez by member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Executive Committee Samir Ghosheh.

The King also highlighted the significance of efforts exerted to push the Middle East peace process forward, revive the roadmap and end the ongoing cycle of violence in the Palestinian territories.

On Iraq, King Abdullah stressed the need to provide all forms of support to the Iraqi people and their right for self-determination.

The King is accompanied by Royal Court Minister Samir Rifai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammad Halaiqa, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Khalid Sarayreh.

King Abdullah concluded earlier Monday a two-day official visit to Bahrain, where he held talks with King Hamad Ben Isa Al Khalifa on the Arab summit. Talks also focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations.