After the US' sanctions on Syria in May 2004 for its occupation of Lebanon, Obeid protested them and argued that the sanctions interfered with the "continuous and deep coordination between the two sisterly countries, Syria and Lebanon."

The Prince avoided any reference to the nationality of the foreign forces in Saudi Arabia, saying just that they were from "sisterly countries."

Saudi newspapers quoted the authorities on Friday as saying they had acted against the man, Ussama Bin Laden, "because of his irresponsible behavior that contradicts the interests of Saudi Arabia and harms sisterly countries, and his refusal to obey instructions issued to him."

Their recognition for each other will certainly create a friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding between the two sisterly countries that existed before, and can exist side by side once more - same like the Arab countries, or the Swahili-speaking East African ones.