Saudi Arabia Confirms Total Condemnation of Houthi Targeting of Civilians

King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Confirms Total Condemnation of Houthi Targeting of Civilians

King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)

The Saudi Council of Ministers renewed on Tuesday its condemnation of both civilian targeting by Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias in Yemen and their continued aggressive attacks launched from the coastal governorate of Hodeidah in violation of the UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement.

During a virtual session chaired by King Salman, the Council reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for the people of Yemen and the official state and called on all warring parties to accept political solutions presented to end the Yemeni crisis.

The push for a political settlement chiefly aims to unite ranks among all components of the Yemeni spectrum in a way that allows Yemen to complete its march towards restoring the state, its security, and stability.

Acceptance among parties would also support efforts to reach a comprehensive political resolution within the framework outlined by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative, the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue, and UN Security Council resolution 2216.

Separately, the Council reviewed efforts made by Saudi state agencies to enhance development gains and achieve more progress through the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The vision's programs are based on increasing and sustaining economic growth in all fields and developing new sectors based on the prominent location and leading position of the Kingdom.

As for the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics launch by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Council deemed it as the beginning of a new phase of improving services and integrating systems in a vital sector.

The strategy will consolidate the Kingdom's position as a global logistics center linking the three continents through a package of qualitative initiatives and projects that will contribute to achieving economic and social goals and enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness regionally and globally.

More so, the Council touched on the Kingdom's views around the two special sessions on Africa, multilateralism, and international governance to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The two extraordinary sessions were held on the sidelines of the meeting of the Foreign and Development Ministers of G20 under the Italian Presidency in Matera City.

Saudi Arabia had expressed its support for international and regional efforts that seek to lay the foundations for stability, security, and conflict resolution in Africa, where it looks forward towards a show of global solidarity, promotion of investment in various fields, and enclosure of partnerships and effective cooperation in the face of challenges that threaten the world and humanity.

The Council also stressed the Kingdom's firm stance about clearing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and supporting cooperation that stands to ban WMDs and condemn their use.

During the 97th session of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Kingdom showed great interest in the convention banning weapons of mass destruction, which affirms its role in strengthening international peace and security.



US State Department to Asharq Al-Awsat: Trump Visit Stresses Saudi Arabia’s Pivotal Role in Resolving Regional Crises

Regional spokesman for the US Department of State Samuel Warburg speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turki al-Aqaili)
Regional spokesman for the US Department of State Samuel Warburg speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turki al-Aqaili)
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US State Department to Asharq Al-Awsat: Trump Visit Stresses Saudi Arabia’s Pivotal Role in Resolving Regional Crises

Regional spokesman for the US Department of State Samuel Warburg speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turki al-Aqaili)
Regional spokesman for the US Department of State Samuel Warburg speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turki al-Aqaili)

Regional spokesman for the US Department of State Samuel Warburg said that US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday will focus on bolstering peace efforts in the region through cooperation with allies.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Warburg stated that the visit reflects, without any room for doubt, the important and strategic role Saudi Arabia plays in the region.

The US sees the Kingdom as a pivotal partner in efforts to boost regional security and stability, he added.

The visit to the Kingdom will not overlook the role Saudi Arabia has played in hosting negotiations related to the war in Ukraine and its role in easing tensions in Sudan and Yemen, he remarked.

The US values the Kingdom’s initiatives in supporting political solutions to conflicts and its ongoing efforts to secure energy markets, he said. It also values its contributions towards achieving regional stability through regional and international diplomacy.

Trump will discuss with Saudi officials strategic files related to regional security, defense cooperation and investments in technology and renewable energy, Warburg told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The visit will bolster cooperation over threats to marine navigation in the Red Sea, as well as developments in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Iraq and confront Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region, he revealed.

Commitment to partnership

Warburg noted that this was Trump’s first official foreign visit since his reelection as president. Heading to Saudi Arabia on his first visit reflects the United States’ deep commitment to its strategic partnerships in the Middle East.

Moreover, the visit is taking place at a critical time when the region is facing rising security and economic challenges, while the US is seeking to bolster its cooperation with Gulf partners in the defense and energy fields, and in investment, he added.

The visit will also tackle means to expand joint efforts to confront regional threats, such as Iran’s destabilizing behavior, the war in Ukraine and the need to restore peace in Gaza, he remarked.

On the bilateral level, Trump’s visit is an important opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia in the fields of defense, security, investment and energy, he stated.

The US is keen on strengthening this cooperation to confront regional and international challenges and build more diverse and sustainable economic ties that focus on joint interests, he stressed.

Furthermore, Trump’s visit underscores Washington’s firm commitment to strengthening its alliances with main partners in the Middle East, he said.

Strategic consultations

The US is committed to working with regional partners to reach sustainable political and diplomatic solutions to crises and supporting efforts to restore calm in Gaza and reach a permanent ceasefire, as well as confronting threatening activity in the Red Sea, Warburg remarked.

On Iran, he refrained from elaborating on the current negotiations taking place between it and the US.

He stressed, however, that Trump’s policy is clear: The US will not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. Washington will use all means of political and economic pressure to prevent it from developing nuclear arms.

He also stressed the need to confront Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region.

Warburg noted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in achieving stability in the region and containing international crises. The US welcomes the Kingdom’s pivotal role in facilitating negotiations that were held between American, Russian and Ukrainian representatives.

The talks, which were held in Riyadh earlier this year, led to tangible progress in several humanitarian files.