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Saudi FM: Kingdom Will Do Everything it Can to Reach a Ceasefire in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
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Saudi FM: Kingdom Will Do Everything it Can to Reach a Ceasefire in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Wednesday that the Kingdom will do everything it can to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and reach a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He also expressed rejection of the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution in Riyadh, he said the establishment of a Palestinian state is the main condition for forming relations with Israel, echoing remarks made by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The security of the region is tied to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Prince Faisal stressed.

Major western and eastern countries have started to discuss the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state, he added.

He revealed that an Arab Islamic summit will be held to discuss the situation in Gaza and Lebanon.

Wednesday’s meeting in Riyadh is the first in several steps towards the establishment of the Palestinian state. Ninety countries and organizations are taking part in the meeting.

On Gaza, Prince Faisal condemned Israel’s “barbaric actions, total siege and genocide” aimed at driving the Palestinians out of their land.

The Kingdom will do everything it can to mobilize international public opinion to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and reach a permanent solution to the crisis, he added, while expressing support for UNRWA.

The ministerial contact group for the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union and Norway are taking part in the Riyadh meeting, which will be held over two days.

Also attending are diplomats and envoys from several countries and regional and international organizations. The meeting aims to set a timeframe for establishing a Palestinian state and implementing the two-state solution.

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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.