JEDDAH, 30 August 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday expressed its hope that Iraq’s new constitution would safeguard its Arab and Islamic identity. “The Kingdom hopes that the Iraqi constitution will respond to the aspirations of the Iraqi people, ensure national unity and safeguard its Arab and Islamic identity,” a Cabinet statement said.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has asked for an explanation from the Iraqi government on the draft constitution’s stance toward the Arab world, adding that the document had “disturbed” the 22-member pan-Arab organization.

The charter, which is to be put to a referendum on Oct. 15, did not meet Sunni demands to describe Iraq as being part of the Arab world, saying instead that “its Arab people are part of the Arab nation.” But President Jalal Talabani said Sunday that Iraq did not intend to walk out of the Arab League, and the controversial clause was only meant to reflect the country’s demographic makeup.

The Saudi Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, also reiterated its call for the total withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories in order to enable the Palestinians to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting condemned the provocative actions of some Jewish settlers toward Palestinian citizens and urged Israeli authorities as well as the international community to take a firm stand against such “destructive attempts” in order to stop violence and restart the peace process, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Earlier addressing the Cabinet, King Abdullah reaffirmed the government’s resolve to improve facilities for the welfare and security of pilgrims. In this respect, he referred to a SR4 billion project to expand the Jamrat (stoning area) in Mina.

RC Chief Gets Minister Rank

King Abdullah yesterday issued a royal decree promoting Prince Saud ibn Abdullah ibn Thunayan, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, to the rank of minister.