Saudi FM Calls for Getting Palestinians, Israelis Back to Negotiation Tablehttps://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2567671/saudi-fm-calls-getting-palestinians-israelis-back-negotiation-table
Saudi FM Calls for Getting Palestinians, Israelis Back to Negotiation Table
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a virtual session with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry Twitter account
Saudi FM Calls for Getting Palestinians, Israelis Back to Negotiation Table
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a virtual session with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry Twitter account
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has stressed the importance of the resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.
In a virtual conversation with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Thursday, the Foreign Minister said that focus now should be to get Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table.
He said Iran continues to undermine the stability of the region and openly support “terrorist groups, terrorist proxies, armed militias and murderous regimes.”
He accused it of sowing chaos and instability in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, and elsewhere in the world.
But he revealed that the maximum pressure campaign on Iran is working and that the regime is now less capable of supporting its proxies.
Iran and its Houthi proxies have undermined peace and stability in Yemen, which has led to the breakdown of its civil society, Prince Faisal said.
He also stressed Saudi commitment to restore Yemen’s legitimate government.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during his visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2025. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia, Lebanon Kick Off New Chapter in Relations
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during his visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2025. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held official talks in Riyadh on Monday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Aoun was on his first official visit abroad since his election in January and was visiting the Kingdom at Crown Prince Mohammed’s invitation.
The visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon and their development on all political, economic and social levels given the keenness on the two countries’ leaderships on bolstering ties, said observers.
Ahead of the talks, Aoun said the visit “underscores the depth of Lebanese-Saudi relations and is an occasion to express Lebanon’s appreciation to the role the Kingdom plays in supporting its stability and constitutional institutions.”
He added that he was looking forward to the talks he will hold with Crown Prince Mohammed that will pave the way for a future visit during which agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation between the fraternal nations will be signed.
The observers underlined Saudi Arabia’s historic role in supporting Lebanon’s security and stability, as well as on the political, economic and social levels.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, shakes hands with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during his visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2025. (SPA)
They noted its effective role in ending Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war and its constant stances in solidarity with the Lebanese people, in addition to its relief and humanitarian aid for them.
Aoun acknowledged this support, saying the visit is an opportunity to thank Saudi Arabia for hosting Lebanese people who have flocked to it for several years and who continue to do so, noting their contributions to its construction and economic rise.
Moreover, the observers said the developments in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon, demand coordination between Beirut and Riyadh to bolster regional security and prosperity, and achieve the aspirations of the Lebanese people.
They said Aoun and Saudi Arabia are in agreement over the need to empower the Lebanese state and enable it to ensure its sovereignty and impose its authority throughout its territories.
Saudi Arabia has long stood by Lebanon and its people, stressing the need to commit to the latest ceasefire with Israel and for Israel to withdraw its troops from the country.
It has demanded the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 and relevant agreements, expressing its confidence that Aoun could kick off necessary reforms that would support Lebanon’s stability and unity and preserve national institutions. This would in turn build trust with Lebanon’s partners and help the country restore its position in the Arab fold.
