Saudi Arabia Calls on International Community to Hold Israel Accountable

A plenary session during the "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" conference, at the Dead Sea, Jordan Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Alaa Al Sukhni/Pool Photo via AP)
A plenary session during the "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" conference, at the Dead Sea, Jordan Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Alaa Al Sukhni/Pool Photo via AP)
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Saudi Arabia Calls on International Community to Hold Israel Accountable

A plenary session during the "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" conference, at the Dead Sea, Jordan Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Alaa Al Sukhni/Pool Photo via AP)
A plenary session during the "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" conference, at the Dead Sea, Jordan Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Alaa Al Sukhni/Pool Photo via AP)

The Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser, Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, headed the Kingdom's delegation participating in the Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza conference, which was held on Tuesday in the Dead Sea region in Jordan.

Al-Aiban delivered the Kingdom's speech in which he affirmed Saudi Arabia’s continued humanitarian support for the Palestinians, referring to the campaign launched by the Kingdom to help the Palestinians, which exceeded SAR700 million, in addition to operating air and sea bridges to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip.
In the main session of the conference, Al-Aiban stressed that the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip necessitates collective work to halt the humanitarian catastrophe, intensify all international efforts aimed at stopping the aggression, along with complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces, and delivering sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.

Al-Aiban also stressed the need for the displaced people to return to their homes safely and for the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to halt the Israeli aggression and work to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a way that guarantees the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The minister of state stressed the need to deliver sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip and returning the displaced people to their homes.

Al-Aiban called on the international community to hold the Israeli authorities accountable for crimes, violations, and practices that violate international law and international humanitarian law.
He also stated that the Kingdom continued to support the efforts of international organizations in light of the tragic conditions the Gaza Strip is witnessing, adding that it also signed, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), agreements to implement urgent projects in cooperation with UN organizations.
Al-Aiban welcomed the decision taken by Norway, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia to recognize the State of Palestine.



Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)

Riyadh and Cairo are setting up the framework for the Saudi-Egyptian Higher Coordination Council, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the move strengthens political, economic, and development ties between the two nations.

In a televised statement on Thursday, Abdelatty said: “We are working on the council’s coordination structure,” highlighting the “strong strategic partnership and continuous cooperation” between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signed an agreement in Cairo in October to establish the council, which they will co-chair.

In November, Egypt approved the council, saying it aims to strengthen cooperation and communication between the two countries in various fields.

Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Majrashi called the council a step toward deeper Saudi-Egyptian integration, focusing on investment and trade under the guidance of both nations’ leaders.

“The council sets a framework for future collaboration, particularly in areas like investment and trade, under the directives of both nations’ leaderships,” Al-Majrashi said, citing earlier remarks by Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi about his mandate to promote investment in Egypt.

Former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Rakha Ahmed Hassan said the council will remove obstacles to cooperation and deepen ties across all sectors.

Egyptian Senator Dr. Abdel Monem Said described Saudi Arabia and Egypt as the region’s “balancing pillars,” saying stronger cooperation is crucial to tackle regional challenges. He called the council a key step toward stability and joint action.

“No Arab country can face regional instability alone,” he said, adding that the council will help protect both nations from threats and improve coordination on shared challenges.

In September, Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said the council would deepen ties and boost cooperation in politics, trade, investment, and development.

Last month, Egypt’s government said the council will include officials from both sides, hold regular meetings in both countries, and replace the previous joint committee framework.