Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Saudi Arabia and the United States are nearing the completion of a bilateral security agreement. This came during their participation at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on Monday,
While emphasizing the Saudi position for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Prince Faisal called for a “comprehensive solution to the Palestinian situation” that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Blinken urged Hamas to “quickly decide on a generous Israeli offer on the table,” stating, “To advance normalization between Israel and the regional states, we must end the crisis in Gaza and establish a path towards creating a Palestinian state.”
In a panel discussion at the Riyadh-based forum, Prince Faisal underscored the international community’s need to establish a “credible and irreversible” course towards the creation of a Palestinian state. He highlighted the United Nations’ estimation that rebuilding Gaza could take up to 30 years, stressing that “the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank cannot be ignored.”
Prince Faisal revealed that the impending bilateral agreements between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are expected to be formalized “in the near future.” He noted, “We are indeed close to finalizing the bilateral agreements with the United States. Most of the work has already been done. We have outlined what we believe should happen on the Palestinian front,” emphasizing the necessity of a clear, credible path to Palestinian statehood.
Discussing Iran’s involvement in the regional conflict, Prince Faisal said that the proper course of action is to support Palestinian rights and their right to self-determination. He suggested that resolving this conflict would enhance the region’s autonomy, providing an opportunity for Iran to engage in promoting peace and cooperation.
“I believe that Iran and other countries will seriously consider this path and join it,” he added. “Iran has long advocated for a region that relies on itself for security, and this represents an opportunity for them to fulfill this pursuit.”
Echoing his Saudi counterpart, Secretary Blinken remarked that the U.S. is on the verge of completing a security agreement with Saudi Arabia. He highlighted a substantial Israeli proposal to cease hostilities in Gaza and release hostages, pointing out that Hamas is the only obstacle preventing Gazans from achieving a truce.
Blinken called on Hamas to “make a decision swiftly regarding the Israeli offer,” noting that such a decision would “change the dynamics of the situation.” He assured that the U.S. would not support any major Israeli military operation in Rafah that harms civilians, noting the absence of a reliable plan to effectively protect civilians.
In terms of efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Blinken spoke of intense ongoing efforts paralleled by initiatives to resolve the Gaza crisis and establish a path for a Palestinian state. He warned of the significant global challenges that no single country can manage alone, emphasizing the importance of revitalized alliances and partnerships worldwide.
“In moments like these, the decisions we make will have implications for decades to come, which is why we are at a turning point,” Blinken said, highlighting the U.S. commitment to leading global challenges cooperatively.
Blinken also expressed gratitude towards Qatar and Egypt for their crucial roles in achieving a truce and facilitating hostage releases, acknowledging their substantial efforts over the past two months. “Israel has made a very generous proposal, and at this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a truce is Hamas. I hope they will make the right decision, which will change the dynamics of the situation,” he concluded.
This announcement of an imminent U.S.-Saudi security agreement and the concerted diplomatic efforts towards Palestinian statehood and regional stability mark a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
