Saudi Cabinet: Welcomes Gaza peace and supports stability in Syria
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the Cabinet meeting held today in Riyadh, where the Council reviewed the overall political and economic situation, both domestically, regionally, and internationally. The Council began its session by reviewing the messages and communications exchanged between the Saudi leadership and several leaders of brotherly nations, including a message from His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and a telephone call with the Syrian President. This reflects the depth of diplomatic relations and the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to strengthen joint Arab coordination.
A new phase for peace in Gaza
In a significant development concerning the Palestinian issue, the Cabinet welcomed the launch of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan in the Gaza Strip and the commencement of the Palestinian National Committee's duties in managing the Strip. This step coincides with US President Donald Trump's announcement of the establishment of a "Peace Council," an initiative the Kingdom commended, appreciating the international efforts exerted.
This Saudi position is of paramount importance given the historical context of the conflict, as the Kingdom consistently emphasizes that temporary security solutions are insufficient and that a transition to sustainable political solutions is necessary. In this regard, the Council stressed the need to establish a permanent ceasefire and ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, paving the way for the Palestinian National Authority to resume its functions and ultimately end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions.
Supporting stability in Syria and Yemen
Regionally, the Kingdom reiterated its support for the unity and stability of Arab states. The Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Syria and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian state institutions, affirming Riyadh's full support for efforts to promote civil peace and preserve Syrian territorial integrity.
Regarding Yemen, the Council followed up on efforts to end the crisis, commending the outcomes of the Riyadh Conference on addressing the Southern issue. The Council affirmed that the launch of the Saudi development projects package in Yemen reflects the Kingdom's historical commitment to the Yemeni people, a commitment that culminated in the Kingdom ranking second globally and first in the Arab world in providing humanitarian aid to Yemen for 2025, thus solidifying its leadership in international relief work.
Economic leaps and international partnerships
Economically, the Cabinet praised the resounding success of the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference in Riyadh, which saw the signing of agreements worth over 100 billion riyals. This success reinforces the mining sector's position as the third pillar of Saudi industry within the framework of Vision 2030. The Cabinet also noted the remarkable growth in non-oil activities, which recorded growth rates ranging between 5% and 10% over the past five years, confirming the success of economic diversification policies.
Council decisions
The council concluded its session by issuing a number of resolutions and approvals, most notably:
- Approval of a memorandum of understanding for electrical interconnection with Pakistan.
- Approval of a security memorandum of understanding with Iraq to combat drugs.
- Approval of the national strategy for the insurance sector.
- Forming a permanent ministerial committee to serve patients with autism spectrum disorder.
- Approval of the final accounts of a number of government bodies and funds.
- Approval of a number of promotions to the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks in the Ministries of Education, Justice, National Guard, and Municipalities.
