Faisal, the Foreign Minister, highlighted the international conflicts, crises and tensions which their consequences are an ongoing threat to international peace and security and impede achieving growth and well-being. "The long Arab-Israeli conflict comes at the top of global problems list as a result of the inability of the international community so far to seriously move to find a solution to this conflict, ensuring the response to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and guaranteeing the establishment of independent and viable Palestinian state", Prince Saud said. "It is clear that Israel, which has so far thwarted all efforts of peace and which its new government is showing serious negative trends, will not automatically change its position. This in turn requires an international firm and solid stance, especially by the United States, to compel Israel to change its policies that are inconsistent with international legitimacy and peace requirements", Prince Saud added. "The failure to put an end to this chronic conflict was behind the emergence of many dangerous phenomena such as terrorism, extremism and violence", Prince Saud said. Prince Saud expressed desire to seize the opportunity of holding this Forum to exchange of opinion and consultation with the British Secretary of State and to discuss this very important issue and other political issues of common interest. In conclusion, Prince Saud praised all sincere efforts being made to the success of this Forum, in particular the leading role played by Prince Turki Al-Faisal and Baroness Simons to convert this forum from an idea into reality. He also thanked Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as the British Ambassador to the Kingdom for their efforts to make this Forum successful, wishing the participants all success. --More
