Saudi FM calls for ‘immediate halt to escalation’ and rejects ‘targeting of civilians’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a joint news conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 8, 2023. (Ahmed Yosri/Pool Photo via AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge a halt to the violence in and around Gaza.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement says the two discussed “the necessity of working toward an immediate halt to the escalation.”
Prince Faisal emphasizes “the kingdom’s rejection of the targeting of civilians and the need for all sides to respect international humanitarian law.”
The Saudis have been in talks with the White House over potentially forging diplomatic relations with Israel, efforts which have now been thrown into question.
