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.



GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."