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BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

Saudi Arabia: Dialogue with Damascus 'inevitable'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen Net
  • 11 Mar 2023 14:15
4 Min Read

The Saudi Foreign Minister says Lebanon must engage in local efforts to elect a president and not rely on foreign interventions.

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    Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Lebanon must observe its own interests when choosing its president, stressing that the country requires joint Lebanese-only efforts to elect a president, not an "Iranian-Saudi rapprochement".

On the other hand, Bin Farhan revealed an Arab effort to formulate a dialogue that will "inevitably" take place with Damascus, in consultation with the international community.

He continued, "We must find a way to overcome the challenges posed by this status quo with regard to refugees and the humanitarian situation inside Syria."

Read more: Countries, leaders hail Saudi-Iran restoration of diplomatic ties

This is the second time that the Saudi Foreign Minister has addressed Syria's return to the Arab world in the last few days, as he stated on March 8 that "there is a dialogue for Syria's return to the Arab world, but it is too early to talk about that."

In another context, Bin Farhan said the recent developments in the Palestinian territories are "very disturbing", referring to the recent Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities.

He expressed fear of an "unstoppable cycle of escalation" and said that "it is the responsibility of the Israeli side to stop these successive measures and calm down."

Read more: Assad receives UAE Foreign Minister, accompanying delegation

Related News

Russia in talks over military bases in Syria with new government

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

The Saudi Minister said the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran "came as a result of talks that lasted for two years, at the end of which we reached understandings based on good neighborly relations and respect for the sovereignty of states, with the Kingdom's conviction that dialogue is the most effective method."

He added, "We look optimistically to the future, and we are working to consolidate the relationship and protect the security of the region."

China scores international achievement

After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies after a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China, under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

According to the joint statement, "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months of talks."

The two countries also said they "thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the talks held between the two sides in 2021 and 2022, as well as the leaders and government of the People's Republic of China for hosting and supporting the talks held in that country." 

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia will meet to implement this agreement and make the necessary arrangements for the exchange of ambassadors soon.

Several Arab countries reflected their views on the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia most notably the UAE, Egypt, and Qatar. The countries touched on the subject by expressing hope for the future.

Some background

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia deteriorated following the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr in January 2016.

Sheikh Al-Nimr was a vocal critic of the Saudi government who raised constantly called out Riyadh's corruption and political injustice inflicted on marginalized groups that constitute minorities in different regions of the Kingdom, notably Al-Qatif. 

Also, Iran continuously expressed support for Sanaa in its self-defense against the Saudi-led coalition aggression against the country, which resulted in further drift between Tehran and Riyadh during the past year.

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