Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin Amin Madani of Saudi Arabia

Madani said the Council also reviewed the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting on Nov 14-15 in support of the initiative of King Abdullah on dialogue among the followers of monotheistic religions and cultures so that dialogue and emphasis on human commonality, ethical dimensions and family structure would become a framework for rapprochement, renunciation of violence, and solution-seeking for the current crises faced by the international community.

Madani said Crown Prince ‘Abdallah has now been appointed king, according to Section 5 of the Constitution.

Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin Amin Madani said that Saudi Cultural Days aim to show glimpses of the Kingdom's culture including poetry, novel, story, play and plastic art.

Referring to longstanding ties between the two countries, Iyad bin Amin Madani said that Iran-Saudi cultural ties can be a model for other Islamic countries.

Mr Madani said a huge number of pilgrims had opted to perform the ritual at the same time although the authorities had been encouraging them to stagger times to prevent a stampede.

Mr Madani said another 272 pilgrims had died of natural causes during the Haj.

on brotherly Lebanon and its siege of the Palestinian brethren.

In his address at the gathering, Madani expressed his great pleasure in visiting Turkey and expressed hope these functions will be a launching stage to strengthen, activate and deepen cultural exchanges between the two brotherly countries.

Speaking after a weekly cabinet meeting, Madani said that the deal was signed during a recent visit to Britain by Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, who is also minister of defence and aviation.

Madani said only that the king died of an illness.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Haj Iyad bin Amin Madani has said the injured have been admitted to hospitals in Makkah.

Minister Iyad Madani said some pilgrims were not organised, leading to the tragedy that some are blaming on people carrying personal belongings that only heightened the chaos.

In his opening speech, Saudi Culture and Information Minister Iyad bin Amin Madani said that the prospect of setting up of GPA in the AGCC states is an ambitious one.

Madani said only that the king, whose exact date of birth wasn't known, died of an illness.

Speaking at a press conference after the cabinets meeting chaired by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, Iyad bin Amin Madani said the cabinet affirmed that the kingdom is following up with great concern the latest events at the Iraqi arena.

He died after suffering an illness, Madani said in the statement.