Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz has emphasized the respect of Islam for human rights and said the Islamic Shariah has clarified the framework of these rights. King Fahd who was interviewed by Abha-based al-Watan newspaper, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud of its systems and rules which are based on the principles of Islam.”

The monarch underscored the importance of convening an Arab summit conference with the purpose of enhancing the bonds of cooperation among the Arabs, exchanging views on issues pertaining to the challenges facing them, and pursuing ongoing efforts in the service of our just causes. The King underlined the importance of taking the appropriate measures to ensure the success of the summit conferences.

King Fahd reiterated the existence of close relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, government and people, and the Iraqi people and said, “There are bonds of common history, neighbourhood and common fate. We feel for the sufferings of our Iraqi brothers,” said King Fahd and added: “It would be better for the Iraqi regime to carry out the resolutions as issued by the Security Council so as to enable the Iraqi people to play their role at the Arab, Islamic and international levels.”

Asked about the existing coordination among Riyadh, Cairo and Damascus, King Fahd noted that cooperation and coordination among the sister Arab countries are an essential matter because they yield positive results and enable the Arabs to serve their causes.

On the Middle East problem, King Fahd said Israel would be mistaken if it thought that by its intransigent policy it would deny the Palestinian people their right to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. “Israel will also be mistaken if it tries to impede the march of the peace process, which from the Arab point of view, aims at putting an end to injustice and realizing a peace based on justice in line with the resolutions of the international legitimacy,” said the King. The King added: “We are optimistic about the future of the peace process.”

The monarch reiterated the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on cementing its relations with Lebanon in a manner that serves mutual interests. “The Taif agreement which put an end to the civil war in Lebanon stands as a witness to the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in backing and supporting Lebanon,” he said. He noted that Saudi/Lebanese relations are similar to Saudi relations with the other Arab sister states and added: “Our relations are based on mutual respect, constructive cooperation and avoidance of interference in the domestic affairs of the other. In this respect we can say that the Saudi/Lebanese relations are distinguished and fraternal relations,” he noted.

On Saudi petroleum policy, King Fahd said petroleum is an important strategic resource not only for the economies of the petroleum exporting countries, but also for the entire world economy. “Taking this fact into account, the petroleum policy should be a wise policy and at the same time it should be capable of responding to changing circumstances to enable us ensure our development plans are successful,” he elaborated. He added: “We are keen to meet the requirements of our country, taking into consideration the future of new generations, and at the same time we are keen to see the growth of the world economy because we do feel that we are an indivisible part of the world community, and we are keen to avoid world economic stagnation.”

On the campaigns launched against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the human rights organization and in particular Amnesty International, King Fahd said: ‘Islam respects human rights, and the Islamic Shariah has clarified the framework of these rights.” “We are proud of our systems and rules that are based on the principles of Islam,” he said and added: “It is the duty of the Muslim nation to make clear the stance of Islam on the issue of the human rights.”

On the issue of the admission of the Kingdom to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the King said Saudi economic policy is based on free enterprise which in turn is based on the principles of Islam. “If we look carefully at the Saudi systems, we see that it has [already] met so many conditions for admission to the WTO that it will be a normal matter to revise some aspects, as required by the international agreements, to be consistent with the inalienable principles being followed by the Kingdom.

“We will spare no effort in preservation of the growth of our national economy. We have already taken the required measures for the realization of a solid economy that is based on diversification of sources of income and increase of national income,” he said, noting that the establishment of the Supreme Economic Council has come within the framework of these measures taken by the Kingdom.

On the formation of the Family Council, the monarch said this development was an important one in the light of the increasing numbers in families. “It was an essential matter to activate the Council and to formulate its role in the manner of a system that determines the duties of the members of the family in the light of the Islamic Shariah which advocates the enhancement of relations among the members of the family,” he said. He added: “The chairmanship of the Council by my brother Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz makes me confident that the Council will realize its goals.”

On the role of the Shoura (Consultative Council), King Fahd said the Saudi institutions, including the Shoura, include a number of highly qualified cadres. “Due to this fact, our institutions have been performing their mission in a satisfactory manner,” he noted.

On the phenomenon of unemployment, King Fahd said the Saudi Seventh Development Plan stipulates adoption of the required policies for making job opportunities available for young Saudis, and moreover: “The development plan underlines the importance of organization of training programs for young Saudis in the various sectors, either in the governmental sector or the private sector. Thanks to Almighty God, many job opportunities are available in the Kingdom. The rush of foreign manpower to the country from the fraternal and friendly countries provides clear evidence for this fact” said King Fahd. He added: “We will spare no effort in serving the interests of the citizens and the country.”

On the strategy set for meeting the requirements of the increasing population in the Kingdom, King Fahd said: ‘If the increase of the population is accompanied by proper planning, then that will yield positive results and will help in making the implementation of the ambitious development plans successful.’ The monarch noted that the Saudi government has been focusing on the educational sector and working for its development and improvement and providing it ‘with all new and useful things for ensuring the continuance of the process of building the coming generations properly. We are keen on enabling our new generations to perform their duty in a satisfactory manner.’