RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for urgent ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon during a joint summit of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh on Nov 11. The summit, attended by Arab and Muslim leaders, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for a Palestinian state amid ongoing regional conflicts.
In his address, Crown Prince Mohammed condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as “genocide” and urged the international community to “halt Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon.” Saudi Arabia, he said, remains committed to supporting Palestinians and Lebanese civilians affected by the hostilities.
A draft resolution discussed at the summit reaffirmed “firm support” for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and “an independent, sovereign state.” The meeting, coinciding with US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent election win, also highlighted regional leaders’ expectations for renewed US engagement focused on dialogue and de-escalation.
The conflict in Gaza, which began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has led to thousands of casualties. Cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have further intensified the situation. The summit provided an opportunity for leaders to communicate priorities to the incoming Trump administration while emphasizing the importance of addressing Palestinian statehood.