Saudi foreign minister calls for ‘firm’ stance against state sponsors of extremism


Joyce Karam
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday urged the international community to take a firm position against states that sponsor extremism and terrorism in the Middle East.

In his address to the 77th UN General Assembly, Prince Faisal called for more serious action against extremism in the region.

“We must continue to work relentlessly to address this scourge that is affecting our region, and call on the international community to show itself firm with states that support terrorism and extremism, and that use that extremist ideology to expand and destroy,” he said.

Prince Faisal reaffirmed the Saudi position in calling for a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis along 1967 lines and with East Jerusalem as capital for the Arab state.

On Syria, he said Saudi Arabia wanted to restore stability in the war-torn country.

“My country insists that Security Council resolutions must be respected for the unity and stability and the Arab nature of Syria,” he said.

Similarly on Yemen, Prince Faisal expressed support for renewing the truce in the conflict and upholding UN Security Council resolutions.

He also warned of Afghanistan becoming a breeding ground for terrorism as it was in the 1990s.

“Afghanistan must not become a basis for terrorist operations or a breeding ground for terrorists,” Prince Faisal said.

He said Riyadh would welcome a negotiated solution for the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“We welcome all efforts that can bring about a political solution to put an end to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis in order to stop the fighting and preserve international and regional peace and security,” Prince Faisal said.

The top Saudi diplomat did not mention Iran by name, but called for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.

“We call upon the international community to intensify efforts to counter proliferation of weapons and to make [sure the] Middle East is exempt from these weapons, an area free of these weapons,” he said.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan calls for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons. Reuters.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan calls for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons. Reuters.

Prince Faisal called on the International Atomic Energy Agency “to adopt serious measures to build confidence with our neighbours and the international community".

On Friday he told France 24 that the kingdom was looking for results in its dialogue with Iran, not mere optics.

Prince Faisal made the comments when asked if he was willing to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Baghdad.

Iraq has hosted four sessions of dialogue between Saudi and Iran.

But Prince Faisal appeared to be sceptical about Iran's intent.

“Reconciliation is definitely within reach, but it's within reach if there is the true intent on both sides," he said.

"We certainly have the intent to build positive relationships with our neighbors in Iran. We hope that they have the same."

He told The National on Friday that he held no meetings with Iranian officials in New York.

If you go

 

  • The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
  • The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
  • The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as  Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi  

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi 

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi

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6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
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8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
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9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

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Disability on screen

Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues

24: Legacy — PTSD;

Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound

Taken and This Is Us — cancer

Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)

Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg

Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety

Switched at Birth — deafness

One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy

Dragons — double amputee

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Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Company Profile

Company name: Big Farm Brothers

Started: September 2020

Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur

Based: Dubai Investment Park 1

Industry: food and agriculture

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Updated: September 24, 2022, 10:58 PM`