OIC Says May Send Senior Delegation to Sudan

Officials at the emergency OIC meeting in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the emergency OIC meeting in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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OIC Says May Send Senior Delegation to Sudan

Officials at the emergency OIC meeting in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the emergency OIC meeting in Jeddah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an emergency meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday to discuss the developments in Sudan.

The meeting was held at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, the current president of the OIC executive committee.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha said the organization will work with the recommendations of the member states, including the possibility of sending a senior delegation to Sudan.

He expressed his disappointment with the continued fighting, especially in the capital Khartoum, and with the warring parties’ failure to fully commit to humanitarian truces to evacuate the wounded, civilians and foreign nationals.

He said the situation demands immediate action, praising Saudi Arabia for calling for the OIC meeting.

He also lauded the Kingdom for its continued contacts with the parties in Sudan and influential regional and international players.

The contacts are aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the dangerous crisis, he remarked, while highlighting Riyadh’s dedicated efforts in the evacuation process.

The evacuations were held at the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Taha also hailed the valued initiatives that were proposed by the OIC members and their role in evacuating those stuck in Sudan.

He called for more efforts to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire, urging the warring parties to hold dialogue to avoid greater chaos in Sudan.

Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the OIC Saleh al-Suhaibani stressed that the Kingdom’s leadership is seeking to resolve the crisis.

It welcomed the latest truce and extension of the ceasefire, he added.

The Kingdom hopes that the truce would lead to a permanent ceasefire and launch of dialogue so that peace and security could prevail in Sudan, he continued.

At the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia is exerting strenuous efforts to resolve the crisis and end the conflict, he stated.

Furthermore, he underscored Saudi Arabia’s efforts to evacuate civilians from several friendly and fraternal countries, as well as staff at diplomatic missions and international agencies.

Over 5,000 people from over 100 countries have so far been evacuated by the Kingdom.

Moreover, al-Suhaibani said the Kingdom hails the efforts of the Sudanese government and other countries in facilitating the evacuations. It urges the international community and humanitarian organizations to aid the Sudanese people.



Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo
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Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo

Pakistan has confirmed its support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, and for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Wednesday that Pakistan strongly opposes any unilateral actions taken by any Yemeni party that escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten peace and stability in Yemen and the region.

The statement said Pakistan welcomes regional efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain peace and stability in Yemen, expresses its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and reaffirms its commitment to the Kingdom’s security.

It added that Pakistan maintains its strong support for resolving the Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy, and hopes that the Yemeni people and regional powers will work together to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the issue and safeguard regional stability.


Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
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Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein Al Sheikh.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the dire humanitarian conditions facing Gaza residents, ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire, and Israeli escalation in the West Bank. They stressed the importance of the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

The two sides also underlined the need for the release of Palestinian Authority funds, the protection of the Palestinian banking system, and commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the reform program launched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and praised the efforts of the US president.

The two sides affirmed the importance of connecting Gaza to the West Bank and continuing efforts, in coordination with brotherly countries and international partners, to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the realization of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manal Radwan.


Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Wednesday from Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali.

Discussions stressed the importance of preserving the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and addressed regional developments and other issues of mutual concern.