NEW YORK — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan affirmed the Kingdom's unwavering belief in the two-state solution as the key to regional stability. Prince Faisal made his remarks during the opening of the high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution at the United Nations in New York on Monday. Co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference marks a pivotal step toward advancing concrete international action to implement the two-state solution and end the decades-long conflict. "The Kingdom believes that the two-state solution is the key to stability in the region," Prince Faisal said in his opening remarks, adding that the New York conference "represents a critical turning point toward its implementation." He stressed that "achieving regional stability begins by granting the Palestinian people their legitimate rights," and welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's recent pledge to recognize the State of Palestine. Prince Faisal also called for an immediate end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and announced that Saudi Arabia and France have facilitated the transfer of $300 million from the World Bank to support Palestinians. He reiterated that the Arab Peace Initiative remains the foundation for any comprehensive and just resolution, while also emphasizing the importance of supporting the International Coalition for the Two-State Solution. France: Momentum for lasting peace French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed the urgency of action, condemning the ongoing targeting of civilians in Gaza. "This war has gone on far too long and must end," he said. Barrot urged the international community to "make the two-state solution a tangible reality," describing the conference as a "turning point" that has generated "unstoppable momentum toward a political resolution in the Middle East." UN chief: Seize the unique opportunity United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres thanked Saudi Arabia and France for organizing the conference, describing it as "a unique opportunity to seize the current momentum." Guterres emphasized that "this conflict can be ended with real political will," and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to the two-state solution. He also condemned the illegal annexation of the West Bank, stating that all actions undermining a two-state solution must stop. Palestinian PM: Historic opportunity for peace Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa described the two-state solution as a "historic opportunity for all," and expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia and France for spearheading the conference. He stressed that the conference sends a clear message to Palestinians that the world stands with them. Mustafa also called for Palestinian unity and urged Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. He proposed the deployment of international forces — coordinated with the PA — to protect civilians, adding: "We are ready to fulfill all our obligations in Gaza. Peace is the only way forward." The New York conference aims to lay the groundwork for an end to Israeli violations in the occupied territories and revive international consensus on the two-state framework as a path to lasting peace and regional security.
