Arab Countries Support Saudi Arabia’s Decision at OPEC+

A 3D printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. (Reuters)
A 3D printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. (Reuters)
TT

Arab Countries Support Saudi Arabia’s Decision at OPEC+

A 3D printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. (Reuters)
A 3D printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. (Reuters)

Several Arab countries expressed on Monday their solidarity with and support to Saudi Arabia in wake of the decision taken at the OPEC+ group last week.

Oman’s foreign ministry said it was following the developments related to OPEC+’s decision to partially cut output.

It stressed that it supports the decision that “is based on economic factors and supply and demand.” The decision also aims at achieving “the desired stability in the global market” and was taken in consensus among the group members.

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said Rabat supports all of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy decisions.

Speaking from Riyadh on Monday, he stated that the Kingdom was forging ahead on the “right path”.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, whether in diplomacy or energy, is following a long-term path. It is adopting a rational approach that is immune to pressure, he added.

Morocco completely stands by Saudi Arabia in all the decisions it takes, especially in regards to its security and stability and the security of energy markets, Bourita remarked.

Rabat’s position stems from the deep fraternal ties that bind Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, he continued.

Saudi Arabia is a pillar of the Arab system and its foreign policy is held in high regard by Morocco, he went on to say. Bourita added that his visit to Saudi Arabia is part of the constant communication between the kingdoms’ leaderships and unique relations they have enjoyed throughout history.

Algeria’s Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab said the OPEC+ decision stems from “purely technical” needs given the state of the international economy and energy market.

OPEC+ aims to deal with the situation to achieve balance between supply and demand, he added, according to the Algerian state news agency (APS).



Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, along with rising regional tensions, took center stage at the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, which began on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia urged countries to back the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key step toward resolving the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the ACD summit and highlighted how continued violence in the region is disrupting international trade and fueling political tensions, which threaten investments and economic cooperation.
“The continuation of aggression and violations in the region hinder the movement of international trade and increase political tensions that threaten the flow of investments and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and the world,” he said.
He called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
“We thank Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries for their support for the two-state solution and their recognition of the State of Palestine, and we urge the rest of the world to follow suit,” Prince Faisal said, reminding that the situation has prompted the Kingdom to work with “brothers and allies in establishing a Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution.”
He stressed that the current unrest in Palestine and Lebanon is a major barrier to economic and commercial development in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for resistance groups.
“The Zionist enemy will be punished, and we will keep supporting the resistance until Palestine is liberated,” said Pezeshkian.
Also speaking at the ACD summit, he emphasized: “Those who violate human rights must know that resistance is strong and cannot be eliminated.”
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s backing for Palestinian resistance.
After meeting with a Hamas delegation in Doha, Pezeshkian warned that Israel’s ongoing actions had led Iran’s military to deliver a decisive response.
“Israel couldn’t commit these crimes without backing from the US and Europe. If Israel makes any mistake against Iran, it will face a much stronger retaliation than Tuesday’s attack,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and warned of the consequences of not holding Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the summit, Sheikh Tamim said: “Qatar has long warned about the dangers of not addressing Israel’s crimes.”
He pointed to the escalating violence in Gaza, noting that true security can only be achieved through a just peace, which includes creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
He stressed that Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights.
“Israel’s relentless attacks on civilians in Gaza and other occupied areas have killed over 41,000 innocent people. What’s happening is genocide, and Gaza is being made uninhabitable to force its residents out,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of using international inaction to expand settlements in the West Bank and prepare for annexation.
“We believe in de-escalating tensions and respecting nations’ sovereignty,” he added, stressing that Israel is taking advantage of global silence to push its agenda in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also called for urgent international intervention to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
He warned that Israel’s attacks have destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“Peace cannot coexist with occupation, genocide, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Abbas reaffirmed at the ACD summit.