Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz today chaired the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, and described as positive and important the steps taken by the parties concerned to implement the Wye Memorandum signed by the Palestinians and the Israelis. He urged further commitment and compliance with the U.S.-sponsored accord on one hand, and on the other, resumption of negotiations on the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese tracks. Remarking that he was closely following these steps, King Fahd expressed the hope that the two parties would continue to implement the remaining articles of the agreement in order to pave the way for the final status negotiations, particularly those pertaining to the holy city of Al-Quds [Jerusalem], saying: "Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of Muslims in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, and this has been so ever since the days of its founder King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, supporting the cause of Al-Quds on all platforms and at all levels."

Information Minister Dr. Foud Ibn Abdulsalaam Al-Farsi reported that King Fahd expressed the hope that the co-sponsors of the Middle East peace process, in particular the United States of America, would exert greater effort to push negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks in order to achieve the required progress that would pave the way for realization of a fair and comprehensive peace based on the resolutions of the United Nations and the principle of land for peace. In this context, King Fahd asserted that peace was a strategic aim adopted by the Arabs, who are determined to realize stability and prosperity in the region and secure a bright future for the generations to come.
King Fahd then highlighted the development of manpower in the Kingdom, regarding this as the main pillar for the nation's progress. He made reference to the policy of encouraging gifted students, and paid tribute to the personal interest and patronage of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, in the Foundation of King Abdul Aziz and his Followers for the Welfare of the Gifted. This foundation reflects the Kingdom's concern to provide greater care for gifted students in a way that serves Saudi society, where science and scientists enjoy special status and prestigious consideration.

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