RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Saturday, during which he affirmed Kingdom's categorical rejection of calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza. During the meeting, the Saudi foreign minister also expressed his condemnation of targeting civilians in any way. Prince Faisal stressed Saudi Arabia's demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and its surroundings, and to lift the siege on the Strip in line with international law. This, he added, is in addition to work to ensure the entry of urgent humanitarian aid, including food and medicine. The priority now is to work to prevent more innocent civilians from being affected as a result of the ongoing spiral of violence, the Saudi foreign minister said. He called for the need to make a rapid collective effort to stop this spiral, and all forms of military escalation against civilians to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. "Israel must abide by international humanitarian law," he emphasized. "Any actions that contradict international law and international humanitarian law will deepen the current crisis and increase the suffering in that region." Prince Faisal stressed that dialogue is the only way to finding a just and comprehensive political solution to the conflict. He noted that the international community must assume its responsibility to stop the violence and advance the peace process in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly, and the Arab Peace Initiative. The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema Bint Bandar and the Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati.
