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.



G7 Foreign Ministers Commend US-Ukraine Meeting in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
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G7 Foreign Ministers Commend US-Ukraine Meeting in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Flag / File/Reuters
Saudi Flag / File/Reuters

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States as well as the High Representative of the European Union commended the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released after their meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, they commended Ukraine for its commitment to an immediate ceasefire, SPA reported.

They emphasized that this is an essential step toward achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. They called on Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms.

The statement affirmed their support for the resumption of unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza and for a permanent ceasefire, emphasizing the imperative for the Palestinian people to have a political horizon reached through a negotiated solution to the conflict with Israel, in a manner that meets their legitimate needs and aspirations and promotes comprehensive peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.
The G7 members also expressed deep concern about the escalation of tensions and hostilities in the West Bank, calling for de-escalation and affirming readiness to engage with Arab countries on their proposals for charting a way forward on the future, reconstructing Gaza, and achieving peace.