"Mr President, The events and changes taking place in the Arab region require a responsible position that maintains the stability of the region, the unity of its territories, its territorial integrity and civil peace within the scale of people's legitimate demands in the region. While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen not to interfere in internal affairs of states, its leadership expresses its deep sorrow and sadness for the many civilian casualties, including women, children and the elderly, due to the crises and transitions taking place in the Middle East. The Kingdom has called to give priority to the voice of reason and wisdom in addressing these crises, to avoid violence and further bloodshed and to resort to serious reforms that ensure the rights and dignity of the Arab human being while ensuring the security and stability in the Arab homeland and preserving its unity and independence. In this context, we renew our condemnation of military operations against the defenseless people in sisterly Syria; and called for an immediate cessation of those operations pursuant to the latest Arab League decision and to implement comprehensive reforms that meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people without reluctance or delay. Similarly, we call upon all parties in brotherly Yemen to clearly announce their full commitment to implement the peace transition of power as stipulated in the Gulf Initiative in order to swiftly end the serious Yemeni crisis. Mr President, The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives close attention to the efforts aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals, focusing on poverty reduction and efforts to eliminate the infectious diseases that are unremittingly claiming heavy toll of human lives. In this regard, the Kingdom calls upon capable states to honor their pledges and submit their quotas determined by the United Nations. The Kingdom has helped in reducing the consequences of natural disasters and fight against poverty and diseases through its contribution to the World Food Program in addition to the aid presented by the Saudi Development Fund during the past three decades amounting to US $100 Billion which benefitted more than 90 developing countries. In the sphere of debt relief, Saudi Arabia waived about US $6 billion of debts owed by the least developed countries. Furthermore, the Kingdom fulfilled its full share in the Debt Relief Initiative Fund of the International Monetary Fund. Once again, the Kingdom calls upon the developed industrial states to meet their obligations, whether in the area of proportionate direct aid, debts' relief for the neediest countries or opening their markets to exports from developing countries without unjustified restrictions. --MORE 14:50 LOCAL TIME 11:50 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/929081