RIYADH: The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, joined leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council member states, as well as Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkiye and Armenia, in a teleconference to discuss the escalation of the conflict in the region.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on the spread of attacks in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes against Iran that began on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated by launching missile and drones against targets in several countries in the region.

The leaders condemned the “cowardly attacks” that have affected several countries, including the targeting of civilians, vital facilities and diplomatic missions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Other participants in the meeting included Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who expressed full solidarity with affected countries.

The leaders also discussed joint actions to enhance regional and international security, protect civilians and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.

Several representatives from the Saudi Foreign Ministry also took part in the meeting, including Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, the undersecretary for multilateral international affairs; Nasser Al-Ghannoum, director general of the ministry’s General Department of Asian Affairs; and Talal Al-Enezi, director of the European Union department.