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Saudi Arabia to Host Arab-Islamic Summit Calling for Halt to Israeli Assault on Palestinian, Lebanese Territories

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh in November 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh in November 2023. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Arab-Islamic Summit Calling for Halt to Israeli Assault on Palestinian, Lebanese Territories

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh in November 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh in November 2023. (SPA)

Arab and Islamic leaders will meet in Riyadh on Monday for a summit that will call on Israel to stop its assault on Gaza and Lebanon.

The summit aims to seek means to protect civilians, support the Palestinian and Lebanese people, unify stances and pressure the international community to take serious action to stop the ongoing violations and reach lasting stability and peace in the region.

Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit at the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in continuation of the efforts exerted by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The summit is an extension of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit that Riyadh hosted in November 2023 in wake of the eruption of the war on Gaza.

Political analyst Munif al-Harbi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Monday’s summit will underscore several issues, namely ending the Israeli assault and genocide in Gaza and its war on Lebanon. It will call for respecting the sovereignty of nations, easing the regional escalation and implementing the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The summit will also work on supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in forming the international coalition for the implementation of the two-state solution and garnering international support for the state of Palestine to receive full membership at the United Nations and its agencies, he added.

It will encourage countries that have not yet recognized an independent Palestinian state to do so. It will hold Israel fully responsible for the developments in Gaza and Lebanon given its violation of Interational law and international humanitarian law, he went on to say.

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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)
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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.