Benfarhan: We are discussing with Iran about not spreading tensions in the region

“Faisal Bin Farhan”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, in an interview, described the level of civilian casualties and destruction following the attacks of the Zionist regime on Gaza as “unimaginable” and said that now A ceasefire is needed more than ever.

Ben Farhan, in a conversation with France 24 channel, the video of which has been published on the website of this channel, in response to a question about what, in his opinion, is the intention of the Zionist regime by planning an attack on the city of Rafah in the south of Gaza, which shelters a large number of refugees. is Gaza, what could it be and does this regime intend to cause the forced migration of Palestinians to Egypt, he said: I cannot say what Israel’s intention is, but what I am telling you is that even now with the events that have happened in Gaza, with We are facing a human disaster.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire

He pointed out that in Gaza, there is no access to food, medicine and humanitarian aid, he said that this issue worsens this humanitarian disaster.

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the attacks of the Zionist regime in which children and women are the main victims

Ben Farhan pointed to the necessity of establishing a ceasefire and said: Without this ceasefire, we have to deal with the issue of humanitarian access. It is not acceptable that less than 100 trucks enter Gaza every day. The UN tells us that at least 500 trucks should be able to enter Gaza. We have repeatedly said that Israel has committed to allow the necessary access for humanitarian aid, but this has not been achieved, and this will exacerbate this sad event and human suffering, and is in clear violation of international law.

In response to the fact that considering the numerous consultations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, why in his opinion the American government does not agree with the ceasefire in the Gaza war, he said: They have their own opinion, but I think they understand the importance of this situation. they do. I believe they should see this. We hope that the international community and the United States will adopt a clear position regarding the ceasefire and humanitarian access. We have cooperated with America to address this issue and will continue to do so.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia said in response to what role Hamas plays in the non-establishment of a ceasefire, that the current human suffering is the result of the continuation of conflicts. The conflict started on October 7th, but we can decide when it starts and ends. We must end this conflict now.

International recognition of the State of Palestine

In the continuation of this conversation, in response to whether Hamas should be part of the solution to this conflict or not, Bin Farhan said: The solution we are talking about now is the protection of Gaza civilians, which is the responsibility of the international community. It is up to Israel and us to create humanitarian access and stop the war. We should discuss what will happen next in Gaza with all parties, but the priority now should be to reduce human suffering and disaster.
About Saudi Arabia’s readiness to send its forces during the possible transition period to form a Palestinian state, he said: We and the Arab world in general have said that we only want to deal with this issue in the context of the broader Palestinian issue, and if we deal with it The issue of how to manage Gaza becomes easier. We have the Palestinian Authority, which with the support of the international community is able to control all the Palestinian territories, but this requires a real path towards the formation of a Palestinian state.

Ben Farhan: A ceasefire is needed in Gaza more than ever

Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, April 18, 2023, in Jeddah. Bin Farhan emphasized that the Palestinian Authority will protect itself in issues such as maintaining the security of the West Bank in The most difficult conditions have shown “powerful and reliable”.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said about the talks in the international community about the recognition of the Palestinian state: There is a Palestinian state and we recognize it right now. It exists, but it faces limitations due to not defining its borders with Israel, and this is an important point.

He emphasized: When we talk with our partners in the international community, they all agree that the only path towards stability in the region and Palestine and for the security of Israel is the state of Palestine.

Ben Farhan said: Many European and American countries are willing to discuss the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Normalization of relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv

In another part of the conversation with France 24, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister answered that despite the Zionist prime minister’s unwillingness to create a Palestinian state, is the process of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and the Zionist regime still ongoing, according to the United States? , said: We have clearly said in official statements and to our American friends that the path to recognition (of Israel) requires two things; Ending the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces and a path towards the formation of the Palestinian state. We wouldn’t even be able to review this without these two. This is something that everyone agrees on, and more than anything, it is in Israel’s interest to be willing to cooperate with its neighbors, and this is only possible through the formation of a Palestinian state.

In response to whether a political commitment from the Zionist regime to recognize the state of Palestine will be enough to normalize Saudi Arabia’s relations with it, Bin Farhan said: This is a precondition, but not enough, because it leads to a smooth path for We need the formation of a Palestinian state and it is not just a political commitment.

Expansion of conflicts in the region

In the final part of this conversation, in response to whether he is worried about the spread of conflicts in the region following the continuation of the Gaza war, he said: “Of course we are worried.” We want to avoid regional conflicts, and that is why we have been active in regional diplomacy, but of course, the longer the Gaza war goes on, the greater the risk of miscalculation and escalation of tensions, so we must avoid it at all costs.

Yemen army helicopter over the cargo ship “Galaxy Leader” related to a Zionist company in the Red Sea

Ben Farhan said about the consultation with Iran in this regard: We certainly also discuss this with our neighbor Iran, and our message is that the spread of tensions should be prevented in any case.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia said: I don’t think that Iran is looking for a wider war. I don’t feel like that.

Peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen

In response to another question about whether, considering the developments in the Red Sea, with the attacks of Yemen’s Ansarullah on ships related to the Zionist regime and its allies, including the United States and England, in response to their support for the war crimes of the Zionist regime And the counterattacks of the United States and England were accompanied, have the efforts to reach a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen stopped and the peace treaty has been abandoned, he said: This treaty has not been abandoned. We are absolutely committed to the road map set by the United Nations and we are ready to sign it at the earliest opportunity, and I think we have reached a point where we are close to completing it and we intend to continue on the road to peace in Yemen.

Source: ISNA