Jeddah to Host OIC Meeting to Support Palestinians, Ease War Impact

A meeting for Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Nouakchott, Mauritania. (OIC)
A meeting for Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Nouakchott, Mauritania. (OIC)
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Jeddah to Host OIC Meeting to Support Palestinians, Ease War Impact

A meeting for Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Nouakchott, Mauritania. (OIC)
A meeting for Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Nouakchott, Mauritania. (OIC)

Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah is set to host the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee on Wednesday.

The meeting will discuss the military escalation in Gaza and its surroundings, as well as the deteriorating conditions in the region, which pose threats to civilians, regional security, and stability.

Invitations have been extended to all 57 member countries of OIC, a reliable source informed Asharq Al-Awsat.

The majority of member countries have confirmed the attendance of their foreign ministers.

The meeting is significant, particularly after Saudi Arabia, currently presiding over the Executive Committee of the OIC, decided to make the meeting open to all member states.

This inclusivity extends beyond the members of the Executive Committee, which consists of six countries.

The decision broadens the scope of the Islamic meeting concerning the developments in Gaza, with a keen interest in the expected outcomes that could address the Israeli military escalation against Palestinians.

The meeting is primarily focused on bringing together member states, and invitations have not been extended to international organizations, according to the source.

Experts anticipate that the meeting will result in a communique in support of the Palestinian cause and the right to self-determination, while safeguarding the civilian population from airstrikes.

Additionally, it is expected to address the support mechanism and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Experts also emphasize that the Jeddah meeting will carry significant weight both regionally and internationally, given that Saudi Arabia has extended the invitation and will host the event.

The meeting is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to halt the escalation in Gaza and prevent its spillover into the region.

These efforts involve engaging with all international and regional parties while continuing to stand by the Palestinian people, supporting their legitimate rights, aspirations, and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace.



Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives British Foreign Secretary

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives British Foreign Secretary

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Thursday the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper, at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations between the two countries and areas of bilateral cooperation. They also discussed regional developments and joint efforts to address these issues.

At the meeting, the British official expressed her country's condemnation of the brutal attacks launched by Iran against Saudi Arabia and several other countries in the region, affirming the UK's solidarity with the affected countries and the necessity of concerted efforts to promote stability and peace in the region.


Pakistan Reiterates Firm Support for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
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Pakistan Reiterates Firm Support for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on Thursday (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met in Jeddah on Thursday evening with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who reaffirmed his country’s support for the Kingdom.

The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between their countries and the ongoing regional escalation and its implications for regional security.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that Islamabad would continue to stand firmly alongside the Kingdom.

Also Thursday, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper arrived in Riyadh for a visit the British government said reflects the United Kingdom’s support for its Gulf partners amid what it described as Iran’s “reckless aggression.”

Iran continued Friday targeting civilian facilities, though most attacks were intercepted by Gulf air defenses.

Saudi Arabia said it foiled more than 40 attacks and destroyed missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base and the Eastern Province, while Kuwait International Airport sustained material damage without casualties.


Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Affirm Solidarity to Safeguard Security and Stability

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Affirm Solidarity to Safeguard Security and Stability

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler reaffirmed their solidarity regarding measures taken to safeguard the security and stability of their respective countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The Saudi Prince denounced in a phone call with Güler the Iranian aggression against Saudi Arabia and the hostile attacks targeting Türkiye. The two officials also discussed the implications of the ongoing regional escalation on both regional and international security.

Prince Khalid bin Salman also held a telephone call with Romania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Radu Miroțǎ.

The two officials condemned the illegitimate Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. They also discussed recent developments in the region and the escalating tensions that pose a threat to security and stability both regionally and internationally.

Additionally, Prince Khalid bin Salman and South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-back, condemned the Iranian attacks during a phone call and reviewed the latest regional developments and their possible implications for regional and international security and stability.