Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan on Wednesday expressed the Kingdom's solidarity with the Palestinian people who are bearing the brunt of Israeli attacks and called for an immediate end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and Jerusalem.

In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya TV, Prince Faisal said the Kingdom’s stance on Palestine has always been clear that is to reach a permanent solution in line with the Arab Peace Initiative with the establishment of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He stressed that there is no stability without a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, underlining the need for efforts to stop violations, whether in East Jerusalem or Gaza.

Prince Faisal added: "We have seen from the American side an understanding of the need to stop the escalation in Gaza."

He also said that we are communicating with all active states to press for an end to the Israeli escalation and in the General Assembly, we will call on the international community to stop the bloodshed.

With regard to Yemen, the Saudi foreign minister reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to a political solution to crisis in Yemen, adding that progress is currently stalled due to the Houthis’ refusal to accept a ceasefire.

“We hope that the Houthis will advance the interests of Yemen over the interests of “regional parties,” he said, stressing that the ball is now in the Houthi court.

As for the talks on the Iranian nuclear deal, he indicated the need to address the issue of ballistic missiles and Tehran's interference in the region.

He stressed that there is no stability without addressing the concerns of the countries in the region about Iran's behavior.

The Saudi minister commented on the statements of Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe insulting to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, saying that the remarks were inconsistent with diplomatic norms and racist and do not represent the Lebanese people.

He stressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness about Lebanon’s future, "but it has to find a way to save itself," stressing that Hezbollah's hegemony over the political decision hinders any real reform.