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Arab-African Summit in Saudi Arabia Postponed Due to Developments in Gaza

Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
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Arab-African Summit in Saudi Arabia Postponed Due to Developments in Gaza

Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)
Destroyed structures in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, 07 November 2023. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday the postponement of the fifth Arab-African summit due to the developments in Gaza. The summit was scheduled to be held in Riyadh on Saturday

Emergency Arab and Islamic summits are being held in Riyadh on Saturday and Sunday respectively to tackle the conflict.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it had coordinated with the Arab League and African Union to postpone the summit.

It hoped that the political developments in the region would not impact the Arab-African partnership.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit described the situation Gaza as “catastrophic”, condemning the violation of all Palestinian rights by Israeli forces.

Aboul Gheit met with UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk in Cairo on Tuesday. He said trust has been lost in international humanitarian law “given the daily massacres committed by the occupation forces”.

“The western world needs to realize the severity of the situation,” he added, warning of its consequences on the future of the Middle East and beyond.

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Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday the largest defense sales agreement in history, worth nearly early $142 billion, as President Donald Trump visited Riyadh.

The agreement will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen US defense firms, said a White House statement.

The sales that the US intends to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.

The package also includes extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services, added the statement.

“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” it stressed.

“Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership, and the package signed today, the largest defense cooperation deal in US history, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our partnership,” it said.

“The agreement opens the door for expanded US defense industry participation and long-term sustainment partnerships with Saudi entities.”

“The deepening United States-Saudi Arabia partnership reflects a joint vision for long-term prosperity and employment opportunities in both nations,” said the statement.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He was received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The leaders later chaired the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

They then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement and oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields.