JEDDAH, SEPT 16, SPA -- THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA HAS DEMANDED THE VATICAN TO ISSUE A STATEMENT WHICH REFLECTS ITS REAL POSITION ABOUT ISLAM AND ITS TEACHINGS AS WELL AS ISSUE A CLARIFICATION FOR THE STATEMENT MADE BY POPE BENEDICT XVI IN A LECTURE, HE DELIVERED AT REGENSBURG UNIVERSITY IN GERMANY ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2006. THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION AND SORROW OVER THE QUOTATION MADE BY THE POPE ON THE BIOGRAPHY OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (PEACE BE UPON HIM), AS WELL AS OVER THE ALLEGATION WHICH SAID THAT ISLAM HAD SPREAD IN THE WORLD BY SWORD. THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS COME AT THE TIME WHEN THE MUSLIM NATION HAS BEEN DOING ITS BEST TO OPEN A REAL AND EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE RELIGIONS AND CIVILIZATIONS, NOTABLY THE CHRISTIANITY. THE REMARKS OF THE KINGDOM CAME IN A MESSAGE SENT BY PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, THE FOREIGN MINISTER TO HIS VATICAN'S COUNTERPART. 'I WRITE TO YOU AT THE TIME WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ARE FACING THESE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES ', SAID PRINCE SAUD.--MORE www.spa.gov.sa/389891