Saudi telethon raises millions for Iraqis

Saudi King Fahd personally donated almost $3m

A telethon on Saudi state television has raised about 43.3 million Saudi riyals ($11.5m) in aid donations to Iraq, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

The agency said King Fahd, who called Sunday's event to show Saudi Arabia's commitment in helping Muslims across the world, personally donated 10m riyals ($2.7m).

It said Crown Prince Abdullah contributed 5m riyals ($1.3m), and other government ministers donated several millions riyals.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said the decision to stage the telethon, which ran until early hours on Monday, came "from a desire to satisfy God".

"Our aid for the afflicted in the world is not for earthly purposes or publicity objectives," Prince Nayef said during a live phone-in at Saudi television.

"Such aid is guided by our Islamic principles and authentic values."

Saudi convoy

The SPA said all the fund would be given to the Iraqis in need directly by Saudi relief agencies.

The UN says half of Iraqis will run out of food by the end of April

Last week, the first Saudi humanitarian convoy entered Iraq, carrying food and medicine, and also including equipment for a mobile field hospital.

A large team of Saudi surgeons accompanied the convoy.

Saudi Arabia - which publicly opposed the US-led war against Iraq - has held several telethons to help raise money for Muslims in several other countries.