Saudi cabinet anticipates two-state solution talks, calls for Gaza ceasefire

Reiterating its position from the recent BRICS Plus 2024 Summit, the cabinet firmly opposed any escalation of conflict in the region. (SPA)
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Updated 29 October 2024
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Saudi cabinet anticipates two-state solution talks, calls for Gaza ceasefire

  • Cabinet said Saudi Arabia was optimistic that this gathering will yield concrete measures to bolster international peace efforts, establish a timeline for a sovereign Palestinian state

The Saudi cabinet expressed optimism that Wednesday’s high-level meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Riyadh will establish a timeline for a sovereign Palestinian state and advance efforts to end the occupation.

Reiterating its position from the recent BRICS Plus 2024 Summit, the cabinet firmly opposed any escalation of conflict in the region.

It highlighted the serious threat that ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza pose to both regional and global security, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unobstructed humanitarian assistance, and a renewed commitment to achieving lasting peace.

The cabinet also stressed the importance of coordinated support for Lebanon, as articulated at the "International Conference in Support of the People and Sovereignty of Lebanon."

Saudi Arabia emphasized the need for collective assistance to help Lebanon navigate its current crisis, alleviate humanitarian impacts, and strengthen state institutions to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities and extend full sovereignty across all territories.

The cabinet also expressed gratitude for international pledges supporting displaced people and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts.

It welcomed participants at the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, hosted under the patronage of King Salman, aiming to drive economic stability, development, and climate action.

The cabinet highlighted significant agreements at the Energy Localization Forum, with deals worth SR104 billion ($27.6 billion) to boost Saudi energy localization and workforce development.

It praised outcomes of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF), focusing on industrial policy's role in global supply chains and technology adoption.

The cabinet also commended SR55 billion in investments launched at Riyadh's Global Health Exhibition to enhance healthcare technologies and partnerships. It also valued the inaugural Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum, promoting sustainable social development in Saudi Arabia.

The cabinet approved various agreements, including a political consultation MoU with San Marino and authorized discussions with Bahrain, Qatar, and Estonia on cooperation to develop the small and medium enterprises sector, startups, and entrepreneurship.


Saudi Cabinet condemns ‘blatant’ Iranian aggression; affirms Kingdom’s right to respond to threats

Updated 04 March 2026
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Saudi Cabinet condemns ‘blatant’ Iranian aggression; affirms Kingdom’s right to respond to threats

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has warned it reserves the “full right” to respond to Iranian aggression following a series of “blatant and cowardly” strikes targeting the capital and the Eastern Province.

The warning came during a late-night Cabinet session on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

During the session, the Cabinet “reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full solidarity with the brotherly countries whose territories were subjected to blatant Iranian aggression”, signaling a united front against regional threats.

The session followed a dramatic escalation of hostilities, including a direct drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh. 

Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, confirmed that while air defenses intercepted multiple threats, the embassy compound sustained a “limited fire and minor material damage.”

General Al-Malki further announced that Saudi forces successfully intercepted and destroyed eight additional drones targeting the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj early Tuesday morning.

In a sharp rebuke of the embassy strike, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) cited a flagrant violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

“The repetition of this flagrant Iranian behavior... will push the region toward further escalation,” the Ministry stated, underscoring that these provocations occurred despite Riyadh’s explicit policy of not allowing its airspace or territory to be used as a launchpad for strikes against Iran.

Global condemnation and solidarity

The Cabinet expressed deep appreciation for the wave of international support as world leaders condemned Tehran’s “indiscriminate” behavior.

In a joint show of force, the US and GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) along with Jordan stood united, labeling the strikes a “dangerous escalation” and reaffirming a collective right to self-defense.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and India. — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi — voiced strong solidarity with the Kingdom. The UK government confirmed its forces are engaged in “defensive actions” to maintain regional stability.

Amid the heightened military tension, the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s hospitality efforts for GCC citizens currently stranded at Saudi airports due to regional airspace closures. The crown prince reaffirmed that the state would mobilize all capabilities to support brotherly nations in any measures they take to restore regional peace and stability.