عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Six-Party Arab Group Warns of Israeli Aggression on Gaza, Calls for Two-State Solution

The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
TT
TT

Six-Party Arab Group Warns of Israeli Aggression on Gaza, Calls for Two-State Solution

The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Foreign ministers from the six-party Arab Committee emphasized on Saturday during a high-level dialogue in Riyadh the necessity of ending the war on the Gaza Strip and reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, chaired the ministerial consultative meeting of the six-party Arab Committee to discuss the developments of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Ayman Al-Safadi; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry; the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Al-Sheikh; the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, Anwar Gargash; and the Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi.
The ministers emphasized the necessity of ending the war on the Gaza Strip and reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Recognition of a Palestinian State
They also emphasized the importance of irreversible steps towards implementing the two-state solution and recognizing the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967, with its capital in East Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in accordance with relevant international resolutions.
They stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and firmly rejected any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land or any military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah.
Additionally, the ministers warned against the ongoing illegal Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which undermine the two-state solution.
A Number of Meetings in Riyadh
An unnamed source told Asharq Al-Awsat Thursday that several meetings are expected to be held, under Saudi sponsorship, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum that will be held in Riyadh between April 28 and 29.
These will include a meeting of the Arab foreign ministers with the participation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and another meeting of the Arab ministers with European Union countries.
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will also hold a meeting with their American counterpart next Monday.
Recognition of the Palestinian state is one of the main topics on the agenda of the meetings, added the source.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan revealed on Monday that talks have begun to circulate within the corridors of the European Union toward recognizing the Palestinian state.
Blinken’s Seventh Visit
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is visiting the region for the seventh time since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
He is expected to meet with Arab and regional officials, in addition to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, according to the source.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with British, French Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Middle East)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Middle East)
TT
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with British, French Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Middle East)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Middle East)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held separate meetings with his counterparts from the UK and France on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

He met with Yvette Cooper, the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs where they reviewed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, as well as joint efforts to address them.

The Saudi minister also held talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot. Discussions highlighted the latest regional developments and joint efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.

Gulf

Al-Wali to Asharq Al-Awsat: Riyadh Talks a Pivotal Moment for Yemen’s Southern Cause

Former Yemeni minister and veteran southern politician Abdel Nasser Al-Wali speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat.
Former Yemeni minister and veteran southern politician Abdel Nasser Al-Wali speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat.
TT
TT

Al-Wali to Asharq Al-Awsat: Riyadh Talks a Pivotal Moment for Yemen’s Southern Cause

Former Yemeni minister and veteran southern politician Abdel Nasser Al-Wali speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat.
Former Yemeni minister and veteran southern politician Abdel Nasser Al-Wali speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Former Yemeni minister and veteran southern politician Abdel Nasser Al-Wali described the meeting of Yemen’s southern leaders in Riyadh for consultations and dialogue on their cause on Sunday as a pivotal moment in its history, calling for the opening created by Saudi Arabia to be channeled into a political process that delivers lasting peace.

Speaking on the Asharq Al-Awsat podcast with Gulf affairs editor Badr Al-Qahtani, Al-Wali said Riyadh was not merely a diplomatic stop, but a place close to the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, offering a chance to correct past shortcomings in conveying the southern voice.

The veteran Yemeni politician said southerners now faced a “huge opportunity” under Saudi sponsorship, noting that Riyadh had taken the initiative to invite discussions on the issue and “left the matter in our hands.”

He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s role in bringing the parties together without imposing guardianship and in supporting whatever they agree upon without interference.

He said Saudi assurances had been explicit: “The opinion is yours, the decision is yours. We are sponsors and will not impose anything on you. Raise your ceiling to the sky.”

Al-Wali said a message from Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman was clear and direct.

“The southern cause is just, with historical and social dimensions, and the Kingdom will not abandon the people of the south and will stand with their will,” he remarked.

“It is enough for the southern voice to reach Saudi Arabia, and for it to understand the justice of the pain that has accumulated since unification,” he stressed.

On preparations for the Riyadh Conference for Yemeni southern dialogue, Al-Wali said discussions would address the shape of the state and its system “with an open ceiling,” to be decided by consensus without exclusion.

The focus was on restoring the state as a path toward dignity, security, stability, development, and prosperity for people, he went on to say.

“The South has room for everyone. There are no intentions of marginalization or exclusion. Any other projects are not sidelined, but discussed,” he assured.

Al-Wali addressed a message to the southern people, saying: “Trust us. We represent in Riyadh those who authorized us,” in a reference to not compromising the cause or taking decisions that contradict popular will.

In another message, he said: “The Saudis will find from the southerners only what pleases God and pleases them, while preserving the bonds of neighborhood, blood, kinship, and shared interests.”

Turning to the roots of the issue, Al-Wali said Yemeni unity had not been an “invasion” or imposed by force, but a voluntary move toward Sanaa “with open hearts,” in the hope of a larger state, a broader economy, and deeper development.

He said that if the price of stability, calm, and development were Yemen’s return to two states, then it would be better, in his view, to have two neighboring states bound by affection, with flexible and smooth economic and social relations and strong fraternal ties, rather than antagonism that “paralyzed both peoples.”

Outlining his vision for a future state, Al-Wali presented the contours of a “federal southern state” that would grant governorates room to contribute to development, investment, and wealth, with equality in rights and duties and fairness in the distribution of resources so that they reach all who deserve them.

He reiterated the centrality of Saudi Arabia’s role, saying the Kingdom’s weight was “very balanced” regionally and globally, and that its engagement represented a historic opportunity to achieve peace “without it being followed by war.”

Asked how he found Riyadh, Al-Wali replied: “As I have always known it. A country of security and stability. Calm and serenity. Love and peace. You come to it, your soul settles, and you feel reassured.”

“Their promises are sincere and are not broken,” he stressed.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia and Ecuador Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Ecuadorian counterpart Gabriela Sommerfeld meet in Davos on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Ecuadorian counterpart Gabriela Sommerfeld meet in Davos on Wednesday. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia and Ecuador Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Ecuadorian counterpart Gabriela Sommerfeld meet in Davos on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Ecuadorian counterpart Gabriela Sommerfeld meet in Davos on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks on Wednesday with his Ecuadorian counterpart Gabriela Sommerfeld on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

They reviewed relations between their countries and ways to boost them in various fields. They also exchanged views on a number of topics of mutual interest.

Following the meeting, the ministers signed a general cooperation agreement between their respective governments aimed at strengthening relations between their countries and advancing them toward broader horizons.