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Riyadh gears up to host Arab-Islamic summit on Gaza, Lebanon
A Saudi Arabia-hosted Arab Islamic Summit is set to open in Riyadh in the coming hours, with leaders expected to hold discussions on Israel’s war on Gaza as well as its attacks on Lebanon.
The Saudi state-run Al-Ekhbariya news channel broadcast footage of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati landing in Riyadh for the summit on Sunday evening. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are among those also scheduled to attend.
The Saudi Press Agency said Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza and Lebanon “has compelled Arab and Islamic leaders to take urgent action”.
“Key priorities [for the summit] include halting the aggression, protecting civilians, providing support to the Palestinian and Lebanese people, unifying positions, and exerting pressure on the international community to take decisive steps to end the ongoing attacks and establish lasting peace and stability in the region,” it added.
The summit comes one year after a similar gathering in Riyadh of the Cairo-based Arab League and the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), during which leaders condemned Israeli actions in Gaza as “barbaric”. However, they were unable to agree on action against Israel, despite calls to sever economic and diplomatic ties with it.
Russia ready to engage in ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hezbollah: Report
A senior Russian official has told the Israeli broadcaster Kan that Russia is ready to help foster an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah amidst the ongoing war.
“Russia is ready to assist and support anything that will stop the killing of the civilian population and prevent the destruction of civilian infrastructure,” the official, who was not named, said to Kan.
Russia’s involvement in any settlement agreement will be to work with Syria to prevent the smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah and to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to prevent Iranian weapons from passing through his territory, the broadcaster reported.
Saudi crown prince demands Gaza, Lebanon ceasefire
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has delivered his opening remarks at a summit in Riyadh focusing on Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
“Ongoing Israeli crimes against innocent civilians and the continued violation of our holy site, Al-Aqsa Mosque, undermine all efforts aimed at restoring the lawful rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.
He condemned Israel’s refusal to let the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, deliver aid in Gaza and the West Bank.
“We demand an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression on Palestinian territories and Lebanon,” MBS said.
Abbas addresses Arab-Islamic summit, asks for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has addressed the Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh. Here are some of the points he raised:
- Israel must implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735, which requires an end to its aggression on Gaza.
- It must allow aid into the Gaza Strip and withdraw its forces in order for the State of Palestine to regain its sovereignty over Gaza.
- It must allow the return of Palestinians to their homes and the reconstruction of what was destroyed in Gaza.
- Israel must end its plan to separate Gaza from the West Bank and Jerusalem, its war crimes and the terrorism of Israeli settlers.
