King Fahd's policy on foreign affairs has been underpinned by four easily defined principles. First, he has shown throughout his years as Crown Prince and King an unfaltering commitment to the unity of the Arab world and to the unity of the still more broadly based community of the Islamic faith. Throughout, he has maintained his belief that the things that unite the Arab and Muslim worlds are far more important than those that divide them. A brief survey of the recent history of the Middle East which includes the Iraq–Iran War and the Gulf War might seem to challenge such a view but any set-backs, however grave, have served only to strengthen King Fahd’s resolve to use all means at the Kingdom’s disposal to further the cause of unity. It has always been clear to King Fahd that the disputes and conflicts between Arab States have brought no benefit to the countries involved or their peoples but have certainly prevented the Arab world from playing the role and exercising the influence in international affairs to which, by political and economic status, it is, or should, be entitled.

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