ARAB NEWS: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has spelt out the Kingdom's terms for giving asylum to the ousted Tunisian leader. He has also said in a wide-ranging interview with Saudi TV that the Kingdom has abandoned its efforts to mediate in Lebanon's political crisis.
SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday that it would not allow deposed Tunisian President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali to engage in any political activity from the Kingdom. "This act (of sheltering) should not lead to any kind of activity in Tunisia from the Kingdom ... There are conditions, and no act in this regard will be allowed,” Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said in an interview with Saudi Television.
Prince Saud reiterated Saudi Arabia’s total support for the Tunisian people. "We support the Tunisian people in reaching their goals," the minister said, expressing his hope that peace and stability would prevail in Tunisia and its people would achieve greater progress, prosperity and freedom. “The Tunisian foreign minister has explained the situation in his country. We all stand by the Tunisian people to achieve their demands,” he said.
Prince Saud said Saudi Arabia agreed to receive Ben Ali in line with an old tradition. “This is not the first time that the Kingdom helps someone seeking protection ... I do not believe that this affects the Tunisian people and their resolve, or it represents an interference in internal affairs," the foreign minister said. Several other leaders who found refuge in Saudi Arabia in the past were allowed in under the same conditions. >>> Arab News | Wednesday, January 19, 2011
