Riyadh rejects recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel: Al-Assaf

TUNIS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf expressed thanks of the Arab foreign ministers and the Secretary General of the Arab League for their support and cooperation, during the presidency of Saudi Arabia of the 29th session of the Council of the Arab League, at the summit level, which was named by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman as the "Jerusalem Summit", Saudi Press Agency said Friday.

This came in the Kingdom’s speech delivered by him, at the opening session of the Preparatory Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Arab League Council, for the Arab Summit, in its 30th session, currently taking place here.

The foreign minister stressed the Kingdom’s absolute rejection of recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States and other countries, saying: "I reiterate my country's total rejection and condemnation of the declaration issued by the US administration to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, stressing the Kingdom's firm and principled position on the Golan Heights, as occupied Syrian Arab territories, in accordance with relevant international resolutions."

Dr. Al-Assaf expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks that targeted worshipers, in two mosques, recently in New Zealand.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia spared no efforts to combat terrorism and provide all kinds of support, in cooperation with the international community to eradicate terrorism.

He pointed out that one of the most dangerous forms of terrorism and extremism is what Iran is committing through its blatant interference, “in our Arab affairs and what militias of Iran's Revolutionary Guards are committing, in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, which we need to cooperate to confront.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to the unity, sovereignty, stability, security and territorial integrity of Yemen, he added, through its support of the legitimate government and welcoming of efforts exerted by all parties to achieve such a goal.

On the other hand, the Kingdom is working to unify the position of the Syrian opposition before sitting at the negotiating table with the regime, to reach a political solution that guarantees security and stability, in the country.

Dr. Al-Assaf concluded that Saudi Arabia supports the legitimate institutions in Libya, and calls for adherence to the Skhirat Agreement, which represents a road map for a political solution there. — SPA