Saudi Arabia, Italy call for Gaza ceasefire, protection of maritime routes
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
ROME, July 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for preserving the ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid and protecting freedom of navigation across key regional waterways during talks in Rome.
The ministers met on the sidelines of meetings held on July 28 and 29 involving working-group co-chairs of the New York conference and members of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
They welcomed the outcome of the alliance meetings and reaffirmed their support for U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803 and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.
The ministers called for the demilitarisation of Gaza, the start of early recovery efforts and support for reforms by the Palestinian Authority. They condemned escalating settler violence in the West Bank and opposed any partial, full or de facto annexation of the territory and the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Prince Faisal and Tajani stressed the need to uphold international and humanitarian law and safeguard maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden and international shipping lanes.
They acknowledged the role of the European Union’s EUNAVFOR Aspides operation, including Italy’s contribution, in protecting commercial shipping.
On Yemen, the ministers urged the parties to engage in a political process aimed at reaching a lasting settlement. They condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian infrastructure and critical facilities, as well as threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
The ministers also opposed unilateral measures that could restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed their commitment to the Rome Coalition on Fertilizer Access and Food Security in Hormuz.
Prince Faisal and Tajani reviewed the Saudi-Italian strategic partnership and discussed cooperation linked to the next Salone del Mobile.Milano event in Riyadh. They agreed to maintain coordination on regional peace, security and implementation of the two-state solution.
