CAIRO — Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan has expressed disappointment at the inability of the UN Security Council to take action on the Gaza crisis. Prince Faisal made these remarks on Saturday during his speech at the Cairo Peace Summit, where he headed Saudi Arabia's delegation on behalf of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman. The Saudi foreign minister demanded the immediate opening of safe humanitarian corridors, allowing the evacuation of injured people, in addition to enabling the delivery of relief aid and medical equipment without restrictions in order to alleviate the humanitarian disaster and prevent its aggravation. Prince Faisal said, "The tragic events in Palestine require us to put an immediate end to military operations, provide protection for civilians, and to release hostages and prisoners, and that in accordance with the international laws and norms and the common humanitarian principles". It is important to find a peaceful solution that contributes in removing Gaza from the recurring cycle of violence, stops the bloodshed, and establishes a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace, he said. The foreign minister has confirmed Saudi Arabia's categorical rejection of violations of international humanitarian law by any party and under any pretext. He also expressed the Kingdom's condemnation over all forms of targeting civilians wherever they are. Prince Faisal demanded the international community to take a firm position by obliging Israel to respect the international humanitarian law. "We reject the duplication and selectivity practiced by some in the international community," Prince Faisal said. "Talking about the crisis is not enough, but there must be serious action,," the Saudi foreign minister said, while demanding the international community to pressure the Israeli side to lift the siege on Gaza and stop the military operations. He said the military operations have claimed the lives of innocent people, and threatened undesirable consequences for regional and international security and stability. During his speech, he also affirmed Saudi Arabia's categorical rejection of Israel's attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinians. The Kingdom is committed to peace as a strategic option, which is represented by standing with the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, as well as establishing their independent, sovereign state on the Palestinian territories within the 1967 borders, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, Prince Faisal confirmed. The Saudi foreign minister stressed the Kingdom's keenness, since the start of the crisis, to consult and coordinate with its partners in the international community. Saudi Arabia's highest priority is to immediately stop the military escalation, to end the bloodshed, and provide relief for those affected, in order to create the appropriate conditions for working towards peace. Prince Faisal expressed his hope that the Cairo Peace Summit would contribute in driving the international community to find a solution to end this crisis, and paves the way for serious dialogue about the future of the Palestinian issue The minister also expressed his hope that the solution would contribute to discussing ways for the international community to support a just and lasting peace in the region that achieves security and prosperity for all, stressing that Saudi Arabia will continue its efforts with all partners to reach this goal.
