Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has called for a united global response to combat coronavirus.

On the eve of a virtual global summit of G20 leaders, convened by Saudi Arabia, which currently holds the group’s presidency, on coronavirus outbreak and its economic fallout, King Salman made a strong appeal for a coordinated united action.

“As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges to healthcare systems and the global economy, we convene this extraordinary G20 summit to unite efforts towards a global response, King Salman said in a tweet.

Earlier, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks over a phone call and they expressed deep concern over coronavirus and the need for all countries to work together to contain the pandemic, according to a statement released by US State Department.