Rice Listens as Saudi Vows Aid to Palestinians
Saudi Arabia refused Wednesday to join an American effort to deny foreign aid to a Palestinian government led by Hamas, the second Arab ally in two days to rebuff Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
“We wish not to link the international aid to the Palestinian people to considerations other than their dire humanitarian needs,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal said through an interpreter.
Rice sat at Saud’s side as he spoke. She had stood by Tuesday when Saud’s Egyptian counterpart said it was premature to cut off aid to a Hamas-led government.
The top U.S. diplomat is making her first visit to the Mideast since Hamas’ surprise Palestinian election victory last month.
The Saudis told the United States that they planned to continue sending about $15 million monthly to the Palestinian government, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
The United States and the European Union list Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Arab nations generally have friendly relations with the Islamist group.
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