Bahrain Underscores Two-State Solution, Arab Peace Initiative

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. (AP file photo)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. (AP file photo)
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Bahrain Underscores Two-State Solution, Arab Peace Initiative

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. (AP file photo)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. (AP file photo)

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa stressed on Sunday that consolidating the foundations of comprehensive and fair peace in the region relies on activating the 2002 Arab peace initiative.

Addressing the Shura Council, he said that Manama was “working on supporting the initiative through all means with our brothers and allies.”

“This is the Kingdom’s clear stance on the Palestinian cause in the hopes of implementing the two-state solution to bolster global security and peace,” he added.

The monarch hailed government efforts in confronting the novel coronavirus and ordered the establishment of a fund that supports youth innovation in Bahrain.

Shura Council Speaker Fawzia Zainal said the council underscores Bahrain’s historic move in signing the peace deal with Israel.

She stressed that it reflects Bahraini society’s values of coexistence and openness.

At the same time, it will continue to firmly support the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to reach just and comprehensive peace according to the state-solution, international resolutions and the peace initiative, she added.

She praised the role of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz in supporting Gulf stability and solidarity to achieve prosperity in the region.

Minister for the Shura Council Ghanim Al-Buainain told Asharq Al-Awsat that King Hamad’s speech “draws up the agenda of national work and the principles of Bahrain’s foreign policy.”



Saudi Arabia Affirms Unwavering Support for Global Humanitarian Efforts

The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
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Saudi Arabia Affirms Unwavering Support for Global Humanitarian Efforts

The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo
The Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP file photo

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its unwavering commitment to support global humanitarian issues and its contributions to alleviating the suffering of those affected by wars and disasters.

In a statement delivered at the UN Economic and Social Council, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, indicated that Saudi Arabia, despite global economic challenges, continues its generous approach as one of the largest donor countries in the humanitarian and development fields.

The ambassador explained that humanitarian crises have become exacerbated by the increase in armed conflicts and the decline in adherence to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that addressing the root causes of crises is crucial to alleviating human suffering.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's participation in the global initiative launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to reaffirm commitment to international humanitarian law, along with its hosting of multiple peace talks between conflicting parties, reflects its strong belief in the importance of dialogue as a means to achieve lasting peace.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, bin Khothaila explained that Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the serious violations and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly Palestinian people. He emphasized that preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip and using it as a tool of war constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.

The ambassador noted that a peace conference, co-chaired with the French Republic, had been scheduled for June 2025 as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts within the Global Coalition to advance the two-state solution. However, recent regional developments have led to its postponement.

He emphasized the importance of integrating relief and development in addressing crises, pointing to Saudi Arabia's integrated model through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).