United Nations: Saudi Arabia affirmed that it foreign policy harps on peaceful solution to disputes and prevention of escalation of conflicts.
This came in the speech delivered on Friday by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir, before the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at its 73rd session in New York City.
He said Saudi Arabia is committed to finding a political solution to the situation in Yemen, based on the Gulf Initiative, the outputs of the Yemeni national dialogue, and Security Council resolution 2216.
He said the Iranian-backed Al Houthi terrorist militia is continuing to fire missiles against the cities of the Kingdom, with 199 missiles, in addition to their destabilising activities on the security and safety of maritime navigation in Bab Al Mandeb area and the Red Sea.
He said the country continued to provide humanitarian aid to alleviate the sufferings of Yemeni people, as well as to support the Yemeni economy. To this end a deposit of $2 billion was made to the Central Bank of Yemen, which was ordered by King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The total humanitarian support provided by Saudi Arabia over the past four years to Yemen is more than $13 billion, he added.
Al Jubeir said terrorism and extremism are among the most important challenges facing the world. The Saudi foreign minister renewed calls to intensify international cooperation to eliminate all forms of terrorism and to drain its sources of funding, and to punish those who support it and feed its activities.
Iran continues its terrorist activities and aggressive behaviour, he said adding that Riyadh supports the new US strategy to deal with Iran, including seriousness in dealing with its nuclear program, the ballistic missile program, and its support for terrorism.
Saudi Arabia believes that to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East requires deterrence of Iran’s expansionist and destructive policies.
He said the Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have boycotted Qatar for its support of terrorism, and disseminating hate speech through its media. Qatar does not abide by its commitments under the Riyadh Agreement in 2013 and Riyadh Supplementary Agreement 2014, and continues its practice.
The Palestinian cause is a fundamental issue of the Islamic world, and it is based on the Palestinian right to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem, Al Quds, as its capital, Al Jubeir said and renewed call to intensify efforts to end the conflict in the region.
— Staff Report
