Saudi FM Reiterates Importance of Confronting Food Security Challenges

Prince Faisal received at his residence in Paris the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert (SPA)
Prince Faisal received at his residence in Paris the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert (SPA)
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Saudi FM Reiterates Importance of Confronting Food Security Challenges

Prince Faisal received at his residence in Paris the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert (SPA)
Prince Faisal received at his residence in Paris the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed the importance of collective international approach to confront the threats facing the world and affecting food security.

Farhan pointed out that Saudi Arabia will confront these challenges comprehensively and continuously.

The FM chaired the Kingdom's delegation participating in the fourth edition of the Paris Peace Forum on redefining the main principles of international cooperation in a post-Covid-19 pandemic world.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in the "Alliance for Multilateralism" session. He addressed some of the threats facing the world and affecting food security, such as the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and instability.

He stressed that these issues require a collective approach from the international community and partners.

He also stressed that strengthening multilateral action is essential to provide effective and sustainable solutions to everyday challenges, noting the Kingdom's aim to confront these challenges comprehensively and continuously.

Later, Prince Faisal received at his residence in Paris the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Yael Lambert to review strategic ties between both countries.

During the meeting, they reviewed historical relations between Saudi Arabia and the US and ways to enhance them in all areas of cooperation and joint coordination.

They discussed regional and international issues of common interest, strengthening security and stability in the Middle East, and making efforts to lay the foundations for peace a top priority.

The Saudi FM later discussed with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas ways to boost the bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.



Mediator Qatar Says Israel ‘Did Not Abide’ by Gaza Truce Deal

 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)
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Mediator Qatar Says Israel ‘Did Not Abide’ by Gaza Truce Deal

 Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said Thursday that Israel had failed to respect January’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

“As you know, we reached an agreement months ago, but unfortunately Israel did not abide by this agreement,” said the ruler of Qatar, a key mediator of the deal.

A truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar with Egypt and the United States, came into force on January 19, largely halting more than 15 months of fighting triggered by Palestinian fighters’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps. Israel resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Israel said Wednesday that it had converted 30 percent of Gaza into a buffer zone in the widening offensive.

Sheikh Tamim said Qatar would “strive to bridge perspectives in order to reach an agreement that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.”

Putin recognized Qatar’s “serious efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict” and called deaths in the conflict “a tragedy.”

“A long-term settlement can only be achieved on the basis of the UN resolution and first of all connected to the establishment of two states,” he added.

Israel’s renewed assault has so far killed at least 1,691 people in Gaza, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory reported, bringing the overall toll since the war erupted to 51,065, most of them civilians.

Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.