The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received at his palace in Riyadh today a number of guests, including scholars, writers, thinkers and media representatives from inside and outside the Kingdom, who came to attend the 27th National Festival for Heritage and Culture in Al-Janadriyah. Speaking to the group, the King welcomed the visitors and praised them for serving their religion and homelands.

Addressing current events in the Arab world, the Saudi monarch condemned the failure of the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution supporting an Arab peace plan for Syria. “We are passing startling days,” he said. “Unfortunately, what happened in the United Nations, in my opinion, is an unbecoming precedent. We have held high the United Nations; it unites, not divides, and deals impartially.” However, King Abdullah said, “The event that took place foretells nothing good. The world’s reliance on the United Nations has no doubt been shaken.”

The King warned that aggressors cannot hide behind claims of sovereignty. “States, be what they may, can never ever rule the world,” he declared. “Reason rules the world; justice rules the world; ethics rules the world . . . The world is not ruled by those who commit all other violent deeds.” The King insisted, “We will forbear and be patient till God finds a way out. God Almighty may delay but never dismiss.”

The event was attended by Riyadh Governor Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz; Chief of General Intelligence Prince Meqrin bin Abdulaziz; Commander of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) Prince Sultan bin Salam bin Abdulaziz; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; and a number of other princes and officials. Afterwards, King Abdullah held a luncheon for the guests.

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