Saudi Arabia, Cyprus Discuss Joint Cooperation, Combating Terrorism

Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Cyprus Discuss Joint Cooperation, Combating Terrorism

Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)

Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades held talks in Nicosia on Sunday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Discussions focused on cooperation between their countries and ways to develop it in all fields.

They also tackled elevating relations to broader horizons in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and to achieve the prosperity of both their countries and peoples.

The covered regional and international issues of interest and the efforts exerted towards them.

They stressed the need to intensify international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to transform the Middle East into a region that is free of weapons of mass destruction.

Prince Faisal also met his Cypriot counterpart, Ioannis Kasoulides, for talks on bilateral relations and ways to bolster them. They also discussed the importance of boosting investments between their countries.

Their talks covered bilateral and security cooperation and relations between Saudi Arabia and the European Union and the importance of developing them in all fields.

They addressed the Kingdom's role in preserving the environment through its Middle East Green and Saudi Green initiatives.

On regional developments, they underlined the importance of supporting all efforts aimed at ending the Iran-backed Houthi militias' humanitarian violations against the Yemen people.

They covered Saudi Arabia and Cyprus' efforts in combating terrorism and extremism in all their forms.

Saudi Arabia views Cyprus as a "bridge" between the Middle East and the EU, helping the 27-nation bloc "understand what’s going on" in the region, Prince Faisal said.

He stressed both his country and Cyprus have a "very, very strong alignment" regarding regional stability and terrorism "whether it is (Yemen's) Houthis or others."

He said both countries agree in the primacy of international law.

"If we do not all agree that international law is the primary guide of state relations, we risk the instability for all," the FM said. "I think it's important that we all stand together to defend the primacy of international law or state sovereignty, a rejection of interventionism of all sorts."



Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it called Israel's genocide against Palestinians, which has left over 150,000 dead, injured, or missing, mostly women and children.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaking at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, criticized Israel’s attacks on civilians, violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority. He warned these actions undermine peace efforts and Palestinians’ rights.

The Crown Prince also criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories, including halting operations by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

He pledged Saudi support for Palestinians and Lebanese people facing the ongoing Israeli attacks. The Crown Prince urged the international community to act immediately to stop the violence and protect peace.

Dr. Hesham Alghannam of the Carnegie Middle East Center highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strong stance, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide”—the Kingdom’s harshest condemnation of Israel’s human rights violations.

Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian Authority (PA) a vital representative for Palestinians in peace talks and international matters, said Saudi scholar Alghannam, stressing its key role in achieving a two-state solution.

Alghannam noted that Israel’s actions, including military aggression and expanding illegal West Bank settlements, undermine the PA’s ability to govern and reduce the land available for a future Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi Arabia highlights core Palestinian rights, such as self-determination, refugee return, and statehood, accusing Israel of systematically blocking these rights.

Saudi Arabia’s position is rallying support from Arab, Islamic, and international communities against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, said Dr. Ali Dabkel Al-Anazi, a media professor at King Saud University.

“The Kingdom has condemned the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as attacks on Iran,” he noted.

Saudi Arabia is determined to lead efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Lebanese and push for a two-state solution, said Al-Anazi

He said the kingdom’s description of Israel’s actions as “crimes” reflects a strong stance in supporting Palestinian rights and reviving peace talks for a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Anazi noted that Saudi Arabia’s summit aimed to unify Arab and Islamic positions and pressure the incoming US administration of Donald Trump to act.

“Saudi Arabia opposes temporary truces or partial solutions,” he said, emphasizing its goals: a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, ending forced displacement, halting attacks on Lebanon, and achieving a fair resolution with a Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi efforts have led to 149 countries recognizing Palestine and the creation of a global alliance, which held its first meeting in Riyadh with 90 nations and UN organizations.

Since Israel’s military operation last year, Saudi Arabia has focused on protecting the Palestinian cause, both in land and people, said Dr. Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a political media professor at King Saud University.

He noted that the Kingdom has increased diplomatic efforts to secure Palestine's recognition as a state and membership in the United Nations.

Al-Mutairi added that Saudi Arabia’s push for an international coalition to recognize Palestine, regardless of Israel’s position, has been a political victory, making it harder to ignore the Palestinian issue.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s stance is based on the belief that Palestine is an Arab state and its existence is an Arab responsibility.

On the humanitarian front, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia has been committed to providing aid to Gaza and Lebanon, ensuring it remains separate from political or military considerations.

He pointed to Saudi support for UNRWA as a key part of its effort to protect the safety and health of people in both Palestine and Lebanon.

“The situation is difficult, but delivering aid is essential,” he said. “There is no alternative to this support.”