Saudi foreign policy favors peace over escalation: FM

Jeddah, Sept 30: Saudi foreign policy is based on consistent principles, including peacefully resolving disputes and preventing escalation, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. Countering Iran’s “subversive strategies” is an important part of solving the many conflicts plaguing the Middle East, he said.

“Our region has never been spared from the scourge of terrorist groups,” he added, outlining Tehran’s support for such groups. The Houthi militia in Yemen depends on Iran, which has provided ballistic missiles that have been fired at Saudi cities, Al-Jubeir said. Saudi Arabia will “continue to facilitate all humanitarian efforts to end the disaster plaguing the Yemeni people,” he said. “We have sought to support the Yemeni economy, including recently with the establishment of a $2 billion fund based at the Central Bank of Yemen.”

Terrorism and extremism are among the most important challenges facing the entire world, Al-Jubeir said.

“We renew our call… for intensifying international cooperation to eliminate all forms of terrorism and to drain its sources of funding, and to punish those who support it and feed its activities in any way,” he added.

The boycott of Qatar is necessary as the country supports terrorism, harbors extremists and allows hateful rhetoric through its media outlets, he said.

“Sovereignty is a red line,” he added, saying the Kingdom rejects interference in its internal affairs “from any country.”

“Saudi Arabia has taken care of the Syrian people, and fulfilled Syrians’ aspirations to live safely in their land and to reach a political solution in accordance with the principles of the Geneva Declaration,” Al-Jubeir added.

“The Kingdom has worked to unite the Syrian opposition so that it can negotiate with the regime to ensure the security and stability of Syria and its unity, and to prevent foreign interference,” he said.

Al-Jubeir reiterated the need to “resolve the Libyan crisis” and preserve the country’s “unity and territorial integrity.” He also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the efforts of the UN and its envoy to Libya. “The Kingdom is one of the largest donor countries in the humanitarian and development fields,” Al-Jubeir said.

Its assistance amounts to 3.7 percent of Saudi gross domestic product (GDP), “surpassing the UN-proposed rate of 0.7 percent of GDP,” he added.

Al-Jubeir highlighted the Kingdom’s “sincere partnership with the world to have a prosperous present and a bright future, and for future generations to live in security, stability and peace.” He wished the UN “more success in achieving its lofty goals.”