According to correspondence received from the First Secretary of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, in Ottawa, "Saudi Arabian laws pertaining to the custody of children are applicable to Palestinians residing in the Kingdom" (29 Apr. 2003).

On the issue of child custody following a divorce, the Embassy provided the following information:

The judicial decisions pertaining to child custody stipulate that the child remains with his/her mother until the age of seven; custody is then granted to the father when deemed in the best interest of the child.

The general rule concerning the custody of the daughter, following a divorce, is that she is to live with her mother for a period of seven years; thereafter, custody is transferred to the father if it is considered in the best interest of the child (Saudi Arabia 29 Apr. 2003).

This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Saudi Arabia. 29 April 2003. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa. Correspondence sent by the First Secretary.