Saudi, Syrian Foreign Ministers Discuss Political Solution to Syria’s Crisis

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
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Saudi, Syrian Foreign Ministers Discuss Political Solution to Syria’s Crisis

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji welcoming the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. - Reuters

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Jeddah on Wednesday upon the invitation of the Saudi FM.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the joint efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, in a way that preserves Syria's unity, security, stability, and territorial integrity.

A joint statement was released following the meeting between the two sides, welcoming the start of procedures for resuming consular services and flights in the two countries.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of resolving humanitarian challenges, including creating an environment that would allow aid to reach all areas of Syria, establish the prerequisites for Syrian refugees and displaced people to return to their homes.

The Kingdom and Syria both stressed the importance of strengthening security and combating terrorism in all forms and enhancing cooperation to combat drug smuggling and trafficking.

For his part, Mekdad expressed Syria's appreciation for the Saudi Arabia's efforts to help end the Syrian crisis and for providing humanitarian and relief aid to those affected by the earthquakes that struck Syria last February.

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji on Wednesday welcomed the Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Decision to Expand Settlement of Golan Heights

 An Israeli military vehicle rides by the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, December 15, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli military vehicle rides by the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, December 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Decision to Expand Settlement of Golan Heights

 An Israeli military vehicle rides by the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, December 15, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli military vehicle rides by the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, December 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the Israeli government’s decision to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights “as it continues to sabotage attempts for Syria to restore its security and stability.”

A Foreign Ministry statement called on the international community to condemn these Israeli violations, stressing the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Golan Heights are Syrian Arab lands, it added.

Israel agreed on Sunday to double its population on the Golan Heights.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

Israel captured most of the strategic plateau from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, annexing it in 1981.