Saudi Arabia: No Sustainable Alternative to Two-State Solution, Recognition of Palestinian State

 Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrive at the Union for the Mediterranean summit, in Barcelona, Spain, November 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrive at the Union for the Mediterranean summit, in Barcelona, Spain, November 27, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia: No Sustainable Alternative to Two-State Solution, Recognition of Palestinian State

 Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrive at the Union for the Mediterranean summit, in Barcelona, Spain, November 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrive at the Union for the Mediterranean summit, in Barcelona, Spain, November 27, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Monday that there can be no sustainable alternative to the two-state solution in ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He made his remarks at the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

He emphasized the outcome of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit that took place in Riyadh earlier this month. The summit assigned a ministerial committee to visit key partners around the world to convey the unified position of the Islamic and Arab nations on action toward resolving the crisis in Gaza Strip.

Prince Faisal underlined the need for the international community to prioritize an immediate end of military operations in Gaza Strip, ensure safe and adequate passage of humanitarian aid, and release all civilian hostages.

The FM welcomed the truce agreement that was reached, which he described as a positive development as it allows the safe passage of urgent humanitarian aid. However, he pointed out that it is not enough for all assistance to enter Gaza unless it is followed by a comprehensive and permanent cessation of military operations.

He said the continued escalation in Gaza Strip has resulted in more destruction, extremism and killing of innocent people, and threatens regional security.

He stressed that the Kingdom condemns all forms of violence and the targeting of civilians, noting that the Israeli military operations have escalated in total disregard of the destruction of civilian lives as the international organizations stand idly by.

He stressed the importance of striving earnestly to overcome the current crisis in Gaza and to move toward a serious and credible plan to revive the peace process and ensure the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state in which the Palestinian people can live in dignity and prosperity.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.