CAIRO: Saudi Arabia remains committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, the Kingdom’s foreign minister said on Monday.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan told Arab League foreign ministers during an emergency meeting in Cairo that the Kingdom stands with the Palestinian people and firmly supports all efforts to reach a just and comprehensive solution. He added said that peace is a strategic option that would guarantee regional stability.
“We call on the international community to exert more efforts to revive the peace process to establish an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.
The Arab League meeting took place as leaders from rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah held reconciliation talks in Egypt.
In their final statement, the ministers affirmed the “Arab rejection of any unilateral Israeli projects or steps that negatively affect the rights of the Palestinian people, violate international law and undermine the two-state solution, for which there is no alternative.”
They urged all international parties — including the UN and the other members of the Middle East Quartet: the US, the EU and Russia — to take all practical steps to launch credible negotiations that can address final-status issues and end the Israeli occupation. They stressed the importance of the Quartet’s role in achieving a peace agreement based on the two-state solution.
The ministers welcomed a ruling by the International Criminal Court on its territorial jurisdiction in Palestine, which concluded that it extends to the territories occupied by Israel since 1967: Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. They also praised the decision by the Palestinians to hold elections and the current reconciliation efforts.
During his opening address, Egyptian Foreign Minster Sameh Shoukry said Cairo is working to ensure this reconciliation process between the two sides succeeds, while supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in facing external challenges.
He added that regional stability will only be achieved when there is a “permanent and comprehensive peace based on a just settlement that fulfills the aspirations and hopes of the Palestinian people.”
Shoukry warned Israel against making any changes to the status of Jerusalem, and stressed the importance of Palestinian refugees’ right of return.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the “Palestinian issue is the focus of Arab consensus,” and warned that Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem constitutes a serious obstacle to the two-state solution.
He called for the relaunch of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, and renewed the league’s commitment to supporting Palestine until it achieves independence.
“The Palestinian position must be strengthened internally and externally,” he said, adding that while Israel continues to undermine the two-state solution, the Palestinian people are also losing confidence in that outcome.
Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s foreign minister, said the Palestinian issue is the key to stability in the region, and Amman is ready to engage with the new US administration as part of the efforts to achieve peace.
The Kingdom’s Prince Faisal also used his address to condemn attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen against civilian targets, and hit out at Tehran’s destabilizing activities in the wider region.
“One of the most dangerous threats facing our region is the Iranian regime’s continuous violations of international laws, charters and norms by threatening the security and stability of our countries, interfering in their internal affairs and supporting armed militias that sow chaos, division and devastation in many Arab countries,” he said.
The Saudi foreign minister said the nations most affected by Iranian threats should be among the main participants in any international negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and other activities that threaten regional security.
“We call on the international community to put an end to Iran’s violations and its threat to the region,” he added.
On the situation in Libya, he warned of the danger of regional interference and said the Kingdom supports the country’s unity and territorial integrity. He also said Saudi Arabia supports Iraq in its efforts to achieve stability at all levels and urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the security of the country.
Prince Faisal also held meetings with fellow foreign ministers Riyad Al-Maliki, from Palestine, Fuad Hussein, from Iraq, and Mohamed Taher Siala, from Libya, on the sidelines of the gathering.
Saudi Arabia remains committed to Palestinian state, foreign minister tells Arab League
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Saudi Arabia remains committed to Palestinian state, foreign minister tells Arab League
- Prince Faisal bin Farhan used his address to condemn attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia against civilian targets
- Aboul Gheit says Palestinian position must be strengthened internally and externally
Saudi ministries sign deal to achieve goals in fields of culture, human resources
- Move aligns with aims of Saudi Vision 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi signed a cooperation agreement on Monday aimed at achieving their respective goals.
The agreement will also work to develop human capital in the culture and arts sectors.
It is hoped the partnership will lead to the development of local cultural identity; the growth in local economic interaction; an increase in job opportunities and social development; and the creation of a legislative and regulatory environment that encourages investment and innovation in the cultural sector.
It is expected this will lead to increased economic activity and new job opportunities, targets which form part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministries will study ways to encourage and motivate the participation of the private sector in developing the culture and arts sectors as part of the agreement.
Inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week to highlight Saudi talent to a global audience, official says
- ‘Initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent,’ says Fashion Commission’s CEO
RIYADH: The head of the Saudi Fashion Commission said on Monday that the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week later this month will highlight the talent in the Kingdom to a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Burak Cakmak, the CEO of the commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.
“This initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent and integrating them into the international arena, resonating deeply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching our cultural fabric and broadening our economic horizons.”
The first edition of Red Sea Fashion Week, the latest initiative from the Saudi Fashion Commission to promote the Kingdom’s fashion industry, begins on May 16 at the new St. Regis Red Sea Resort. It runs until May 18.
A fashion show will be held on the first day, followed by two days of side events and further shows featuring a collection of luxury fashion, jewelry, ready-to-wear items, and resort wear collections from Saudi and international designers.
Saudi Arabia hosted its first fashion week in 2023 in Riyadh, and hosted a pop-up event in Milan last year on the sidelines of the city’s fashion week.
Saudi crown prince expresses condolences to UAE president after death of uncle
- Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday after the recent passing of his uncle Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan.
During a phone call, the crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased who was the representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler in Al-Ain Region.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen.
Saudi justice minister opens International Conference on Judicial Training
- Experts from around world will attend 2-day event in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Saudi justice minister on Monday opened the International Conference on Judicial Training in Riyadh.
Walid Al-Samaani made the opening speech at the two-day event, which has attracted more than 600 experts and 45 speakers from around the world.
He highlighted the strides made by the Kingdom in the judiciary sector since the launch of its Vision 2030 initiative.
He also outlined the ministry’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the judiciary and “pivotal role of training, qualification and legal knowledge management in achieving justice.”
The Judicial Training Center was dedicated to improving the skills of the Kingdom’s judicial and legal personnel through collaborations with its partners and had been instrumental in qualifying judges and training lawyers, judicial assistants and notaries, the minister said.
Al-Samaani also commented on the transformation of the justice system, driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has focused on fortifying legal principles, embedding values of transparency and ensuring legal certainty.
A key area for development was the digital transformation and integration of artificial intelligence, which the ministry was advancing to enhance judicial quality, he said.
Saudi Arabia, UK sign $5m deal to help fight malnutrition in Somalia
- Funds expected to benefit 101,000 children in high-risk areas
- Sides looking for further opportunities for collaboration, KSrelief chief says
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the UK on Monday signed a $5 million cooperation agreement with UNICEF to help tackle malnutrition in Somalia.
The deal was signed by KSrelief General Supervisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and British Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell at the agency’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
KSrelief and the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will each contribute $2.5 million to UNICEF.
The funds will provide access to nutrition services, water and personal hygiene supplies in 15 high risk areas of Somalia, benefiting 101,000 children.
The deal is within the framework of joint humanitarian and relief projects between the Kingdom and the FCDO to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people.
The announcement was made as part of the second annual UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development, which also discussed “providing more aid into Gaza and encouraging progress toward peace in Sudan,” the FCDO said in a statement.
The two countries have already committed $22 million in joint funding, delivering vital aid and providing famine relief and humanitarian support in Somalia and Sudan.
Other cooperation programs through KSrelief and the Saudi Fund for Development were expected to be delivered in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh and Ukraine, the FCDO said.
“We look forward to enhancing our technical experience and capacity building by building upon the strong foundation established during our previous dialogue, which presents an invaluable opportunity to solidify our future direction, explore new areas of cooperation and further demonstrate the transformative potential of our partnership,” Al-Rabeeah said.
“Officials from both sides are actively identifying promising opportunities for further collaboration. KSrelief sees immense potential to leverage our respective strengths in areas like health interventions, education infrastructure development and livelihood creation programs.”
Mitchell said: “The UK is working with Saudi Arabia and other partners to support those whose lives have been affected by conflict around the world.
“I am delighted to be in Riyadh to agree a way forward to scale up significantly joint funding which will go a long way to supporting those people and communities who need it most, building on today’s announcement in Somalia and looking to further support people in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, as well as the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
“I also discussed the need to bring the conflict in Gaza to a sustainable end with my Saudi partners. The UK remains focused on achieving an immediate pause in the fighting, securing the release of hostages and ensuring aid reaches those who need it.”
In separate talks, Al-Rabeeah and Mitchell discussed matters of common interest related to relief and humanitarian affairs around the world, ways to enhance cooperation and topics included in the Second Strategic Dialogue for Development and Humanitarian Aid between the two countries.
The Saudi Fund for Development will also sign a deal with Mitchell during his visit to strengthen cooperation in line with the UN sustainable development goals.
