Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji participated on Saturday at the Manama Dialogue Forum 2023, organized by the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
In a session titled "War, Diplomacy, and De-escalation," El-Khereiji delivered a speech highlighting the importance of the ongoing Manama Dialogue.
He said the developments in the region are sparing widespread alarm over the violations of international principles and norms.
The brutal military attacks have resulted in thousands of victims, and if the war persists, it will lead to an unjustified humanitarian catastrophe, he warned.
He highlighted the tragic events and severe violations being committed in Palestine, where defenseless civilians bear the brunt of escalating military operations by the Israeli forces.
These actions blatantly violate international laws and basic humanitarian values, showing a disregard for international appeals and a lack of concern for densely populated areas, including refugee camps, hospitals and mosques, he lamented.
El-Khereiji emphasized that Saudi Arabia has sought to contain the crisis since it erupted on October 7.
It has intensified efforts and engaged with all stakeholders to rally the international community to prompt the global community to uphold its responsibilities and halt these repeated violations and to allow the Palestinian people to exercise their fundamental rights, he added.
He underscored that the Joint Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, held in Riyadh last week, reached a consensus on practical measures. The summit presented a unified Arab and Islamic stance in support of the Palestinians, halting egregious violations and crimes, and fostering a just and sustainable peace in the region.
He underlined the significance and urgency of de-escalation followed by a sincere and effective peace process that would allow the Palestinian people to regain their rightful claim to establish an independent and sovereign state according to the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
