Saudi Arabia Postpones 2 Regional Summits

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Arabia Postpones 2 Regional Summits

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat

Riyadh postponed the Saudi-Africa summit and the Arab-African summit, which were to be held in the first three months of the year, over coronavirus, the Saudi foreign ministry announced in a statement published by the state news agency (SPA).

The agency quoted the ministry as saying that the date of the summits will be decided at a later stage.

It added that the postponement was made over the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to fight the coronavirus.

According to the statement, the ministry took the decision after coordinating with the Arab League and the African Union.



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)
TT

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.