Saudi Arabia rejected all Israeli policies, practices and plans that attempt to perpetuate racial discrimination against the Palestinian people and obliterate their national identity and to undermine their legitimate rights, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Addressing the UN Security Council, the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Maalami called on the international community to intervene and stop settlement projects by Israel.
“The Palestinian people continue to witness further tragedies,” he said.
“70 years ago, Palestinians suffered the greatest human tragedy the world has ever seen. The tragedy of the displacement of the landowners, the tragedy of giving the right to those who do not have the right, and the denial of the right of its owners,” he continued.
The Israeli occupation must be committed to implement international resolutions, lift the siege on the Gaza Strip and open the crossings immediately and permanently, he said. The humanitarian and economic crisis affecting the Palestinian people.
“My country stresses the importance of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East as a strategic option to end the Arab-Israeli conflict,” he said.
“The Syrian people, too, are still living the worst humanitarian crisis of the century,” he added.
The former UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, “completed his duties without achieving the desired results... because of the intransigence of the Syrian regime and its unwillingness to reach a just political solution to end the tragedy of the Syrian people,” Al-Mouallimi said.
He congratulated Geir Pedersen on succeeding de Mistura, and stressed the support of the Saudi government for his efforts in achieving a political solution.
Al-Mouallimi said his government stresses the importance of reaching a just political solution in order to end the suffering of Syrians worldwide.
The Saudi government also demands the withdrawal from Syria of all foreign forces and foreign fighters, especially Iranian forces and their militias, he added.
Al-Mouallimi condemned any use of chemical weapons in Syria, and urged the international community to punish those responsible.
He questioned the Houthis’ sincerity in seeking a resolution of the conflict in Yemen. Al-Mouallimi urged the Security Council to continue pressuring Iran to abide by the council’s resolutions on Yemen.
He stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution that guarantees state sovereignty throughout Yemen and a unified national army.
Saudi Arabia will continue to support the Yemeni people and their legitimate leadership, and respond to their humanitarian needs, Al-Mouallimi said.
