Arab, Muslim Leaders Meet in Riyadh to Stop Gaza Escalation

Palestinians flee their homes in northern Gaza to escape Israeli bombing. (Reuters)
Palestinians flee their homes in northern Gaza to escape Israeli bombing. (Reuters)
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Arab, Muslim Leaders Meet in Riyadh to Stop Gaza Escalation

Palestinians flee their homes in northern Gaza to escape Israeli bombing. (Reuters)
Palestinians flee their homes in northern Gaza to escape Israeli bombing. (Reuters)

The foreign ministers of Arab countries are meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, to prepare for an emergency Arab summit which will be held on Saturday to discuss the means to stop the war in Gaza.

The Saudi capital will host the leaders of the 22 Arab countries, who will convene in an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council, to consult, coordinate, and discuss ways to confront the continuing escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In addition, Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as chairman of the current Islamic Summit, will hold on Sunday an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries in Riyadh to discuss the developments in Gaza.

On Oct. 18, the OIC held a meeting at the level of foreign ministers and called for an immediate ceasefire.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, former Jordanian Minister of Information Samih Al-Maaytah said that Arab action was focused on exerting “political pressure on the US administration to reach a ceasefire, and to alleviate the human suffering of the Palestinians.”

A full ceasefire “is neither on Israel’s nor Washington’s agenda,” he said, explaining that the Arab leaders were seeking a truce that would allow for increased aid, a temporary ceasefire, treatment of the wounded, and strengthening the medical apparatus’ capabilities in Gaza.”

Al-Maaytah pointed to the Arab stance on rejecting the Israeli plan to displace part of the people of Gaza to Egypt.

For his part, Dr. Khattar Abu Diab, professor of international relations at the University of Paris, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Extending the conflict for days and months, according to field data, means the prolongation of the Palestinian tragedy, especially since international efforts to push Israel to stop its hostilities are not sufficient.”

“Therefore, there is reliance on Arab diplomacy, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia spearheads efforts and communications aimed at accelerating the end of the war and reaching a just solution, as an inevitable prelude to the expected peace track in the region.”

Abu Diab stressed that Arab and Islamic summits were an opportunity to move towards this direction and form a pressure force that will be heard by Washington and the international community.

“It is noteworthy that on the eve of the Arab and Islamic summits, Riyadh’s move began to give preliminary results, with Washington exerting pressure on Israel to accept a humanitarian truce and Blinken’s pledges about what he called “equal rights” of the Palestinians and Israelis,” he remarked.



Saudi Crown Prince Heads Kingdom’s Delegation at 45th GCC Supreme Council Session

A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Heads Kingdom’s Delegation at 45th GCC Supreme Council Session

A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA

The 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) kicked off Sunday in Kuwait.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud led the Kingdom's delegation.
During the session, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, chairman of the current GCC Supreme Council session, delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of the GCC's joint efforts and addressing recent regional and global developments.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi also addressed the summit, expressing gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the two sessions of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit. He highlighted the importance of implementing a two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state, SPA reported.
The leaders and heads of delegations then participated in a closed session.
The Saudi delegation included Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser.