{short description of image}
help-for-you News .PRT11-3Article.html 3
 Note the UTC time and source of information.
. Monday, 11 March, 2002


Saudis Offer Israel 'Complete Peace' for Territories Pullout
VOA News
10 Mar 2002
Email this article to a friend.Printer Friendly Version

Saudi Arabia has again offered Israel peace with Arab countries in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Arab land captured in the 1967 war. 

Speaking in Cairo Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Israel would get what he called "complete peace" with the Arab world if it accepts Riyadh's proposal. 

Mr. Faisal, who met earlier with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, gave reporters the most detailed comments yet on the Saudi peace plan put forward last month. 

The Saudi initiative has been a major topic at a two-day meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, held against the backdrop of continuing violence between Israel and the Palestinians. 

Mr. Faisal said Arab countries are ready to realize a lasting and comprehensive peace with Israel but that Israel must show its good faith by withdrawing from captured Arab territory and by recognizing what he called legitimate Palestinian rights, including the creation of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. 

The Saudi peace plan, which has attracted widespread interest, is to be formally presented to the Arab Summit in Beirut at the end of the month. 

The Saudi initiative has already won support from three major Arab countries - Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Libya and Iraq have rejected the Saudi plan, calling instead for stepped-up Arab support for the Palestinian uprising. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP. 

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version