OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
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OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat

The preparatory ministerial meeting for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit will begin Sunday in Riyadh.

Convened by Saudi Arabia, the summit aims to address the ongoing Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories, as well as regional developments and coordination among member states.

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the summit underscores Saudi Arabia’s and other member states' strong commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.

The OIC chief said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, formed at the last summit, has made progress internationally by pushing for wider recognition of Palestine and securing UN resolutions to condemn and stop Israeli aggression.

Taha warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict, citing Israel's escalating actions and increased military strikes on Lebanon and other areas.

He highlighted the strategic importance of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s and member states’ unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

Taha added that the summit highlights the need for joint Islamic action to strengthen unity and solidarity, enabling member states to speak with one voice globally.

This unified stance, he said, seeks to push the international community to stop Israeli aggression, deliver aid to Gaza, hold Israel accountable, and support a two-state solution.

Taha said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, established at the previous Riyadh summit, has successfully expanded international recognition of Palestine, with ongoing efforts to rally support to end Israeli aggression.

“The organization is actively pursuing political, legal, humanitarian, and media initiatives to carry out the summit's resolution on Israeli aggression against Palestinians, including coordinating member states' positions and actions,” he explained.

Taha added that the committee’s diplomatic efforts have pushed for greater recognition of Palestine and pressured the UN to adopt resolutions condemning Israeli actions and calling for an end to hostilities.

The Secretary-General stressed that diplomatic efforts remain focused on ending Israeli aggression, supporting Palestine’s full UN membership, and advancing a two-state solution.

On the humanitarian side, member states have provided aid to Gaza, supported UNRWA, and assisted the Palestinian government to help alleviate Palestinian suffering.

The Secretary-General of the OIC said the organization is actively pursuing legal action at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to defend Palestinian rights, hold Israel accountable for its crimes, and push for an end to Israeli aggression and its illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

He added that the legal observatory, set up after the previous summit, is documenting Israeli crimes to support future cases against Israel in international courts.

Taha also noted that the organization is working on media efforts to expose Israeli violations through its media observatory, which tracks Israeli crimes against Palestinians and was established as part of the previous Riyadh summit’s decisions.



Trump: Nobody Will Be Able to Break Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump attend the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2025. (EPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump attend the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2025. (EPA)
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Trump: Nobody Will Be Able to Break Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump attend the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2025. (EPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump attend the Keynote Address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2025. (EPA)

US President Donald Trump underscored on Wednesday his “very strong” relationship with the Saudi leadership.

Speaking from Doha, he said: “Our relationship now is very strong with Saudi Arabia. Nobody is going to be bothering that relationship.”

“Nobody will be able to break that relationship because of my relationship with the crown prince and the family. The relationship is really strong,” he added.

Trump concluded on Thursday a “historic” visit to the Middle East that he had kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

He met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Tuesday and they both oversaw the signing of numerous agreements between their countries.

They also took part in the Saudi-US Investment Forum during which Trump hailed the Crown Prince as “very wise”, expressing his admiration for him. “I really believe we like each other a lot,” he added.

He also praised the Crown Prince for his hard work in transforming Saudi Arabia into a global power, joking: “Do you sleep at night? How do you sleep?” Crown Prince Mohammed, who was seated across from him the front row, could be seen replying: “I try”.

Trump touted what he described as a “golden age” in the relationship between their countries.

Earlier on Tuesday, Crown Prince Mohammed and Trump signed an economic strategic partnership agreement and oversaw the signing of several agreements covering energy, defense and technology.

On Wednesday, they chaired the Gulf Cooperation Council-US Summit in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia was Trump’s first overseas visit since his reelection. He also chose the Kingdom as his first foreign visit during his first term in office.

Saudi political analyst Mubarak al-Ati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump’s remarks underscore Saudi-US ties that date back 92 years.

They also underline the personal relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed, who managed to forge them from strength and mutual trust, he added.

Trump’s remarks stem from the faith in Saudi Arabia in various fields, he added.

So, the American administration is keen on preserving interests and benefits with the Kingdom, he went on to say.