Saudi Foreign Minister: Peace in the region begins with recognizing Palestine.

During a preparatory meeting for the upcoming international conference on the Palestinian issue, chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi delegation emphasized that peace in the region can only be achieved through official recognition of the state of Palestine, stressing that achieving peace is an urgent necessity that has been delayed for too long. This came during the meeting hosted by the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, where preparations for the Palestinian settlement conference scheduled to be held in New York in June were discussed, under the joint presidency of Saudi Arabia and France. The Saudi delegation emphasized the importance of ending the Israeli occupation, supporting the Palestinian government, highlighting the prominent role played by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in national reform efforts. They affirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is crucial for achieving security and stability in the Middle East. On his part, the Saudi delegate to the United Nations, Dr. Abd al-Aziz Alwasil, clarified that the international conference will constitute an official and comprehensive path to enhance international efforts towards a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. These actions come within the framework of Saudi Arabia's steadfast support for the two-state solution, which has been a firm stance for decades, in addition to working with international partners to find solutions that guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people and achieve peace in the region.