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.



Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed on Tuesday an executive agreement with its Spanish counterpart to support the construction of three new Avante 2200 corvettes entailing collaboration in training, exchanging experience, and providing technical and logistical support to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels.

Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Gharibi and Spanish Admiral General Antonio Pineiro Sanchez jointly endorsed the agreement at the Spanish Naval Staff headquarters.

The agreement aims to deepen ties between the defense ministries, facilitating the augmentation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces' capabilities through the construction and provision of three additional Avante 2200 corvettes.

These enhanced assets are set to fortify naval readiness in safeguarding Saudi Arabia, protecting its vital interests, and bolstering maritime security in the region, aligning with the strategic aims of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Moreover, the agreement covers technical assistance from the Spanish Naval Forces throughout the construction phases, encompassing system inspection, testing, crew training, and operational post-delivery and commissioning for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The three new vessels mirror the technical and combat specifications of the five vessels from the initial phase of the Sarawat project delivered to the naval forces. Equipped with state-of-the-art combat and engineering systems, they are designed to effectively address air, surface, and subsurface threats.