Saudi FM refutes rumors about Musharraf''s support

The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Saud Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on Tuesday rejected rumors that his visit to Pakistan was in any way related to a possible exit for former Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf. During a joint press conference with Pakistan's Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, the Saudi Foreign Minister was asked about Saudi Arabia's rumored role in securing a safe exit for former president Musharraf who faces a number of cases including a high treason case in Pakistan. The Foreign Minister denied the rumors and said, "Musharraf's trial is an internal matter of Pakistan and being a friend Saudi Arabia did not and would not interfere in internal matters of Pakistan." According to an official press release, the Saudi Foreign Minister in his address to the press conference said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed historic and deep-rooted relations and were very strong friends. He further said that his country would continue to provide all possible assistance to Pakistan for economic stability. He added that the designs of those plotting to spoil Pakistan-Saudi relations should be thwarted. Prince Saud Al Faisl said that there was a need for joint efforts to eradicate the menace of terrorism, the release added. He pointed out that international troops were drawing down from Afghanistan by the end of this year and efforts were required to stop the terrorists from regrouping and fill the gap being created due to the withdrawal of international forces. The Saudi Foreign Minister called upon all the groups to sit together to find a peaceful solution of the crisis in Syria. He said President Bashar Al-Assad should not be given absolute power and the Syrian crisis could be resolved through mutual consultation and cooperation by all the groups. While addressing the joint press conference, Sartaj Aziz said that both sides in today's talks stressed to further expand their relations for the benefit of their peoples. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to enhance cooperation in a broad spectrum of areas, especially investment, trade and energy. Aziz further said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif informed the Saudi Foreign Minister about his Pakistani government's plans to enhance growth and create job opportunities and reduce poverty for a brighter future of Pakistan. He added, "We will encourage the Saudi investors to invest in different sectors, especially energy." The advisor said both countries shared similar views on international and regional issues. He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stood by each other and shared views on peace and stability in the region. The Saudi Foreign Minister is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan where he met the President, Prime Minister and Advisor to PM on Foreign affairs of Pakistan to further boost the bilateral ties between the two countries. His Excellency is the highest-ranking Saudi official to have visited Pakistan in years.