Saudi Foreign Minister discusses de-escalation with Oman, Egypt, and Turkey
In a diplomatic move reflecting the magnitude of the challenges facing the region, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Foreign Minister, conducted a series of intensive telephone calls with a number of his counterparts in key regional countries to discuss the latest developments on the regional scene and coordinate joint efforts to contain tensions.
These consultations included telephone calls with the Omani Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Expatriate Affairs, Badr Abdel-Aty, and the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. According to official statements, the discussions focused on reviewing the latest developments in the region and the efforts being made to address them in a way that serves the security and stability of its peoples.
A tense regional context
These Saudi diplomatic moves come at a critical time for the Middle East, where the war in the Gaza Strip dominates the regional landscape, with its catastrophic humanitarian consequences and serious fears of a wider conflict. In addition, the region is witnessing other equally significant tensions, most notably the attacks in the Red Sea that have affected international shipping, and the intermittent clashes on the Lebanese-Israeli border, all of which place the entire region on the brink of a dangerous escalation.
The importance of the Saudi move and its expected impact
These contacts reflect the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a regional stabilizing force, and its tireless efforts to unify positions and coordinate efforts to de-escalate tensions. Leveraging its political and economic weight, the Kingdom is working to build bridges of communication with all relevant actors to ensure that the region does not descend into wider conflicts that could have dire consequences for international peace and security.
The selection of these countries is particularly significant. Oman is historically known for its role as a neutral mediator in numerous regional crises, while Egypt is a key player in the Palestinian issue and Arab regional security. Turkey, a major regional power with its own interests and influence on several issues, represents an important step in the recent rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. These consultations are expected to contribute to developing a shared vision for addressing current crises and to push for political and diplomatic solutions rather than military options, thereby enhancing the prospects for achieving lasting stability in the Middle East.
