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Riyadh to Host High-Level Meeting for Two-State Solution Alliance

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
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Riyadh to Host High-Level Meeting for Two-State Solution Alliance

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to reporters in New York in September. (dpa)

Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, will host a meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution on Wednesday and Thursday.

The event will bring together diplomats and representatives from various countries and organizations to discuss a clear timeline for establishing a Palestinian state and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah will open the meeting with a welcoming speech, followed by comments from Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

In September, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the Alliance on behalf of Arab and Islamic nations, along with European partners. The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue held at the United Nations General Assembly.

The upcoming meeting in Riyadh, the first high-level follow-up gathering, aims to garner practical insights and present them to political leaders. It will outline proposed components under the coalition and initiate practical preparations.

Follow-up meetings are planned in Brussels, Cairo, Amman, Oslo, Ankara, and potentially other locations, focusing on specific elements needed to implement the two-state solution.

The Riyadh meeting aims to produce tangible results for communicating these discussions to political leaders and ensuring their implementation. It will establish a timeline for creating a Palestinian state and outline measures to uphold the two-state solution’s viability, including accountability under international law and the execution of relevant UN resolutions.

Sources indicate that by hosting this meeting, Saudi Arabia is collaborating closely with other coalition partners, including members of the joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation contact group focused on Gaza, along with the European Union and Norway.

Additionally, the Riyadh meeting will address the role of UNRWA as the main humanitarian organization in Gaza, crucial for the humanitarian response until the two-state solution is achieved.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prince Faisal stressed that establishing an independent Palestinian state is a fundamental right essential for peace, not just a negotiable outcome.

He expressed gratitude to countries that have recently recognized Palestine and urged all nations to join the 149 countries that support its recognition.

“The two-state solution is the best way to end the cycle of conflict and suffering, allowing the region, including Israel, to enjoy security and coexistence,” he stated.

Prince Faisal concluded his speech by announcing the launch of the Alliance.

He invited nations to join this initiative, assuring that Saudi Arabia will work hard to create a reliable path to fair and lasting peace, and expressed eagerness to hear contributions that will help end the conflict and promote international peace and security.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.