Shoura delegation goes to US

A Shoura delegation led by Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Awad will begin a visit to the United States on Monday to explain Saudi Arabia’s stand on such issues as Syria, Palestine and developments in the Arab Spring countries.
The delegation will meet a number of Congressmen, members of the Saudi-American Business Council and State Department officials. They will also visit the American Chamber of Commerce. The delegation includes Khaled Al-Oqail, Sattam Lingawi, Tarek Fedaak, Abdul Aziz Taher, Salwa Hazza and Firdous Al-Saleh.
“The trip comes in line with mutual visits of the Shoura members and Congressmen and Congresswomen and in continuation of previous visits conducted by the Saudi-US Parliamentary Friendship Committee,” said Al-Awad.
He said the visit offers a good opportunity for the Shoura members to spell out the Kingdom’s stand on new developments taking place in some Arab countries and reaffirm its declared position on issues like Syria and Palestine.
Al-Awad said Saudi Arabia has been extending financial aid to victims of natural calamities in other countries and supporting budgets of many international organizations and funds that fight poverty, unemployment and diseases.
“The total Saudi development and relief aid reached more than $100 billion in the past three decades, benefiting people in 95 countries,” Al-Awad said.
He said the visits of US representatives and senators to the Kingdom in the past were helpful in changing their perception about Saudi Arabia and strengthening relations between the two allies.
“High-level discussions and coordination take place between the two countries on major regional and international issues,” he said, adding that the Kingdom’s balanced foreign policy has enhanced its international reputation.