Saudi Crown Prince, Blinken Discuss Efforts to Stop Escalation in the Region

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Blinken Discuss Efforts to Stop Escalation in the Region

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Riyadh on Wednesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with whom he reviewed bilateral relations and cooperation.

Discussions covered the latest regional and international developments, particularly the situations in Gaza and Lebanon, and efforts to end military operations and address their security and humanitarian ramifications, SPA reported.

Crown Prince Mohammed and Blinken discussed their “common efforts to end the conflicts in the region and establish greater peace and security,” said a State Department statement.

Blinken emphasized “the need to end the war in Gaza, free the hostages, and enable the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives free from Hamas..

They discussed efforts toward “a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return to their homes.”

They continued discussions on the need to establish lasting regional stability, including through greater integration among countries in the region.  

They also tackled the importance of ending the conflict in Sudan, protecting civilians, and advancing a political transition to a civilian government. Blinken expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting stability and peace in the region.

Attending the meeting were Saudi Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, and General Intelligence President Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan.

On the American side, US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney and Blinken’s accompanying delegation attended the meeting.



Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Condemn Israel's Targeting of Iran

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Condemn Israel's Targeting of Iran

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The Sultanate of Oman strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory on Saturday.
The Sultanate said these attacks are a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of international law, and expressed concern that such escalatory actions fuel the cycle of violence and undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions through peaceful and diplomatic means. It called on the international community to take decisive action to halt the aggression and end these violations.
In a statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry urged that the cause of regional crises be addressed, by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, and its ongoing aggression in Gaza Strip.
The Sultanate also emphasized the need to abide by UN Security Council resolutions, grant the Palestinian people their right to self-determination, and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, within the framework of the two-state solution and in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, to ensure a just and lasting peace for all parties concerned.

Qatar also strongly condemned Israel's targeting of Iran, deeming it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing deep concern over the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation, and called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, resolve differences through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that would destabilize security and stability in the region.
The ministry renewed Qatar's call on the international community to intensify efforts aimed at calming and de-escalating the situation, and ending the suffering of the peoples of the region, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.

For its part, Bahrain's foreign ministry condemned military action against Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and reduce regional tensions. 

The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize de-escalation to prevent the expansion of conflict and war. It also emphasized the need to revive peace negotiations to achieve regional security and stability, and ensure that all peoples in the region live in dignity, safety, peace, and prosperity.