Saudi Arabia: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government urged on Tuesday the warring parties in Sudan to reach a ceasefire, end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

It stressed that a political solution was the only way to end the crisis, reiterating the need to commit to the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers reviewed regional developments and Saudi Arabia’s tireless efforts, along with the international community, to establish peace and security in the region.

These efforts were demonstrated in its hosting of the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Ninety countries and regional and international organizations took part to discuss establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The cabinet also highlighted the Kingdom's call for a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit this month, which will address the continued Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on his meetings and talks with leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, which focused on relations and ways to boost them in various fields.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary told the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet praised the outcome of the third meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council security committee, and the initiatives carried out that contribute to advancing the strong fraternal relations toward new horizons.

The Cabinet commended the outcome of the second ministerial meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council economic and investment committee. It noted the progress toward achieving the two countries' common goals, particularly in the fields of industry, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, food security, climate sciences, and sustainable transportation.

The Cabinet discussed the Kingdom's participation in the recent G20 meetings, where it highlighted efforts to promote sustainability in education, invest in innovation and entrepreneurship, and its ongoing contributions in addressing global health challenges.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet noted the Kingdom's significant advancement, of 15 places, in the 2023 international tourist revenue rankings compared to 2019, leading the top 50 rankings in upward movement. This achievement underscores the Kingdom's global leadership and ongoing success in the tourism sector.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.