Saudi Arabia emphasized on Saturday the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in all international waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and restoring conditions to what they were before Feb. 28, without imposing any fees or restrictions.
Riyadh rejected the use of these vital waterways by any party as a tool to exert pressure, issue threats or harm the interests of states, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly in New York.
He added that the Arabian Gulf is directly linked to global energy security, the continuity of international trade, the resilience of global supply chains and the protection of maritime navigation, stressing that these shared responsibilities require serious international cooperation.
Riyadh also affirmed its full right to protect its security and sovereignty, as well as its citizens, residents and national assets, and called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in confronting anything that threatens international peace and security.
