Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received on Monday foreign ministers of Arab and African countries that border the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The ministers earlier attended a meeting of the member states of the regional bloc of seven Arab and African countries comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Jordan.

King Salman discussed efforts to develop joint cooperation with Red Sea and Gulf of Aden states with the visiting foreign ministers.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed Bin Muhammad Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr. Issam Bin Saad Bin Saeed and Minister of State for African Affairs Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Qattan.

Earlier at the bloc’s meeting, the Saudi foreign minister called for the need to safeguard the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions against any threats.

During a meeting of the foreign ministers of Arab and African countries that border the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in Riyadh, Prince Faisal urged closer cooperation and capacity building in order to confront any dangers or challenges in the region.

“Saudi Arabia is keen on coordinating and cooperation with the members of the bloc to “confront the challenges that are surrounding us from all sides,” Prince Faisal added.

The ministers signed the founding charter for the seven-member bloc at the meeting. The meeting focused on common security, political and investment interests, securing marine navigation and confronting foreign meddling in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Speaking in a press conference later, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia does not want to see further escalation of tensions in the region at a "very dangerous moment", following the US killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Qassem Soleimani.

"We are very keen that the situation in the region doesn't escalate any further. It's certainly a very dangerous moment and we have to be conscious of the risks and dangers not just to the region but to wider global security," he said.

"We hope that all actors take all the steps necessary to prevent any further escalation and any provocation," Prince Faisal added.