Saudi D.M. Prince Sultan's 10/21 com-ments alarm Bush admin., but Saudi officials say comments did not reflect a change in Saudi gov't policy [NYT, WP 10/23].
Israeli police surround Jerusalem with roadblocks to keep Palestinians from O.T. out of the city, and thousands of paramilitary border guards are stationed at major intersections and along boundaries between East and West Jerusalem to prevent escalation of violence stemming from 10/21 stabbing deaths. It is believed to be 1st time that whole city is closed to Palestinians [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 10/23].
Senate votes 97-1 to authorize $700 million in additional military aid to Israel to help it meet "potential threat" posed by Iraq. Robert Byrd (D-W. Va.) cast lone opposing vote; says Israel does not need the money [LAT, WT, MEM 10/23].
Saddam Hussein suggests he may release all French hostages and a number of elderly and sick Americans still in Iraq [NYT, LAT, WP 10/23].
Pres. Mubarak arrives on unscheduled visit to Saudi Arabia to inspect Egyptian troops stationed near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border [MENA 10/22 in FBIS 10/22; LAT, MEM 10/23].
Deputy mufti of Jerusalem, Muhammad al-Jamal, is released from jail on bail of NIS 20,000. He had been detained since 10/9 following Haram al-Sharif incident [JDS 10/22 in FBIS 10/23].
P.M. Shamir's gov't survives vote of confidence in Knesset by 53-51, 2 MKs abstain, others are absent [MEM 10/23].