Saudi Arabia, Morocco Stress Importance of Joint Arab Action, Countering Terrorism

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Morocco Stress Importance of Joint Arab Action, Countering Terrorism

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. (SPA)

Morocco reiterated its absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its constant support for all measures taken by the country to protect its security and stability and ensure the safety of its territories, citizens, and residents.

Rabat hosted the 13th session of the Joint Moroccan-Saudi Commission on June 15 and 16, under the co-chairmanship of Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

The Commission condemned the launch of Iranian-made ballistic missiles and drones by the Houthi militias in Yemen against vital and civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Morocco welcomed the Saudi initiatives to bring peace to Yemen.

The Commission stressed the importance of joint Arab action allowing Arab countries to maintain their unity, sovereignty, security, and stability while refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of states and threatening their territorial integrity.

It hoped the crises in Syria, Yemen, and Libya will be resolved through political solutions that preserve their territorial and national unity, guarantee their security and stability, and meet the aspirations of their peoples for development and freedom according to United Nations resolutions.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm and continuous support for the territorial integrity of Morocco and reiterated its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.

It backs Morocco's efforts to reach compromise-based realistic political solution within the framework of relevant Security Council resolutions and under the supervision of the UN Secretary-General.

It stressed its support for a solution that is consistent with the international law and the resolutions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

The Joint Commission called for more efforts to support stability, promote sustainable development, and the fight against extremism, terrorism, and separatist movements in the Sahel region.

Saudi Arabia praised Morocco's three-dimensional approach toward the Sahel region, which focuses on security, development, and training of human resources.

The Commission renewed its condemnation of extremism and terrorism in all forms and manifestations, stressing the importance of combining regional and international efforts to confront and eradicate terrorism and eliminate its causes.

It reviewed the efforts made by the two countries and the pioneering initiatives they have developed to counter terrorism and extremism, stressing the need to continue coordination at the international multilateral level, including the UN, the Global Forum on Countering extremism, and the International Coalition against ISIS.

The Saudi delegation welcomed the continuous efforts made by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, to defend Jerusalem and its residents, preserve its civilizational identity and protect its status as a symbol of tolerance and coexistence between the different monotheistic religions.

The Commission reiterated its constant solidarity with the Palestinian people to establish an independent state based on the1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

In this regard, the Commission called for efforts to break the deadlock in the peace process and ensure the resumption of negotiations within a clear timetable, resulting in an agreement addressing all the issues under the Arab Peace Initiative, international resolutions, and two-state solution.

Prince Faisal's meetings

During his visit to Morocco, Prince Faisal discussed with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch several regional and international issues and developments of common interest.

They addressed ways to boost bilateral cooperation and opportunities to develop ties in various fields.

Prince Faisal met with Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami. They reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. They reiterated the importance of cooperation in the political and multilateral fields to achieve the interests of their countries.

Ahead of the Joint Commission meeting, the Saudi FM reviewed with his Moroccan counterpart all aspects of cooperation.

They voiced their satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between Riyadh and Rabat and praised the momentum and development it is undergoing on the political, economic, cultural, and social levels under the patronage King Mohammed VI and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Faisal and Bourita discussed several regional and international issues of common interest.

Bourita said Morocco and Saudi Arabia share a distinguished relationship, saying it is "unparalleled in Morocco's foreign relations."

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Moroccan FM said the discussions with his Saudi counterpart are an opportunity to address bilateral and regional issues.

Bourita stated that he also addressed with his Saudi counterpart coordinating positions on various issues based on the bilateral interests, whether relating to North Africa and the Middle East or international issues.



Saudi FM Receives French President's Adviser, Holds Phone Call with Portuguese Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Receives French President's Adviser, Holds Phone Call with Portuguese Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received Dora Cattuti, the Adviser to the French President for the Middle East and North Africa, in Riyadh on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two officials reviewed bilateral relations between their countries, regional developments, and issues of mutual interest.

The Saudi FM also held a phone call with Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel.

During the call, Prince Faisal congratulated Rangel on Portugal's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.

He expressed his aspiration to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two countries in a manner that contributes to regional and international security and stability.

The two ministers also discussed regional developments and issues of mutual interest.


Saudi Crown Prince Unable to Attend G7 Summit Due to Prior Commitments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Unable to Attend G7 Summit Due to Prior Commitments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sent a message on Thursday to France’s President Emmanuel Macron apologizing for his inability to attend the Group of Seven summit gathering citing prior commitments.

In his letter, the Crown Prince thanked Macron for the invitation to participate in the June 15–17 G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, on the shore of Lake Geneva.

Prince Mohammed said he would be unable to attend because of prior commitments, reaffirming the strength of bilateral strategic relations between the two countries and extending his best wishes for a successful summit.


Lebanon’s Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Decision on Exports Came after Beirut Met Standards

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Nov. 3, 2025 (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Nov. 3, 2025 (SPA)
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Lebanon’s Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Decision on Exports Came after Beirut Met Standards

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Nov. 3, 2025 (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Nov. 3, 2025 (SPA)

Lebanon’s ambassador to Riyadh said Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume imports from Lebanon came after Beirut met the required standards to ensure the goods posed no risk.

The diplomat said the fight against drugs had involved intensive work and high-level security and political coordination between the two countries.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday ordered the resumption of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom at the request of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The move followed what were described as positive steps by Lebanon’s government to rebuild state institutions, work by specialist teams over the past year, Beirut’s cooperation and the required pledges it had made.

In a phone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday, Ambassador Ali Karanouh welcomed the Crown Prince’s decision, saying it reflected “the depth of the brotherly and historic relations between the two countries, and the Saudi leadership’s keenness to support Lebanon, its institutions, economy, and people, especially in these difficult circumstances.”

‘A lifeline’

Karanouh said Lebanon was going through a period in which it needed “a lifeline,” adding that the step “is not surprising from Saudi Arabia, which has always stood by Lebanon.”

He cited Riyadh’s role in the Taif Agreement that ended Lebanon’s civil war, as well as its support during reconstruction and recovery.

The ambassador said Lebanese people were grateful for the decision, which he said would benefit agriculture, industry, trade, and services, and help Lebanon regain access to one of the most important Arab and Gulf markets at a time when it badly needs support.

He said the decision was the result of efforts that began with Aoun’s election and the formation of Salam’s government.

 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Makkah on March 30, 2025. SPA

Intensive security coordination on drugs

Karanouh said the new Lebanese government “showed from the first day its determination to return Lebanon to its natural place among its Arab brothers, after a period of distance caused by political choices that were not in its interest.”

He said the government had repaired relations with Arab states, especially Gulf countries, on the basis that Lebanon is an integral part of its Arab surroundings.

He said Beirut was determined from the start not to allow Lebanon to be used as a platform to harm Arab countries. The anti-drug file, he added, had seen intensive work and security and political coordination at the highest levels between Lebanese and Saudi authorities.

Karanouh said Saudi authorities had appreciated Lebanon’s efforts, including tighter controls at border crossings, airports and ports.

Those efforts, he said, continued for about 18 months and helped restore confidence in Lebanon and its institutions, turning the page on a period that had damaged the country’s reputation and foreign relations.

Lebanon, he said, was now on the right path.

Karanouh said the decision to resume Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia was a major step that would benefit Lebanon’s economy and economic cooperation between the two countries. He said it came after Lebanon met the required standards, ensuring Lebanese exports posed no danger to brotherly countries.

The ambassador said Lebanese exporters were ready to enter the Saudi market and that the remaining technical and procedural issues were minor and could be resolved easily.

He said the Saudi decision would push bilateral ties into a broader phase, whether through the signing and activation of partnership agreements or through the Saudi-Lebanese Business Council, whose formation was completed months ago.

He expressed hope that the move would be followed by the return of Saudi flights and Saudi tourism to Lebanon when conditions allow.

Broad welcome in Lebanon

The Crown Prince’s decision was widely welcomed across Lebanon, nearly five years after Saudi Arabia halted all Lebanese imports, citing at the time “the importance of taking all necessary measures to protect the security of the Kingdom and its people.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conveyed the Crown Prince’s directive in a phone call with Salam on Wednesday. He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty over all its territory and the well-being of its people, as well as Riyadh’s confidence that Lebanon would take all necessary measures to ensure it is not used as a platform to harm its brothers.

Aoun expressed deep gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying the decision was “a sincere expression of the depth of Arab brotherhood that binds the two brotherly countries, and an embodiment of the wise Saudi leadership’s keenness to support Lebanon and its people during the phase of recovery and revival it is undergoing.”

Aoun said: “This kind step will make a tangible contribution to reviving the national economy and supporting broad segments of Lebanese producers and exporters.”

He added that the entire Lebanese people appreciates the decision, and “views it as a gesture that strengthens the path of Lebanese-Saudi relations rooted in the bonds of history and shared destiny.”

Salam said the decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports reflected the depth of the brotherly and historic ties between the two countries. He said it embodied Saudi confidence in Lebanon and a shared desire to strengthen economic and trade cooperation.

Salam said the move was an important step that would support Lebanon’s economy, open new opportunities for Lebanese producers and exporters, and help promote growth and stability.

He said Lebanon looked forward to continued work and coordination with Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation and partnership in various fields for the benefit and prosperity of both countries.