S Arabia hosts meeting to push for Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia has hosted the first meeting of the global alliance in Riyadh, aiming to push for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In his opening remarks, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah on Wednesday emphasized that the escalating violence in the region and the continued Israeli "aggression" on Palestine and Lebanon requires a firm response from the international community, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi minister called for intensified international efforts to push for the implementation of the two-state solution and restore security and stability in the region, reports Xinhua.

He stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, and the end of impunity through accountability mechanisms.

He also reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees' vital role in providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Meanwhile, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Palestinian presidency appreciated Saudi efforts in hosting the meeting and commended all friendly and allied nations participating.

Over the past year, the coalition has worked to gather international support for greater recognition of the State of Palestine, advocate for full UN membership, push for a ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid, and ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, it said.

The two-day meeting kicked off here on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia affirming that it is a step toward ending the Palestinian crisis, according to the official Al-Ekhbariya news channel.

In September, Saudi Arabia announced the launch of the global alliance to implement the two-state solution on behalf of Arab and Islamic states and European partners.