At an Arab and Muslim leaders’ summit in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) called for an immediate ceasefire to end Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, condemning these actions as a “massacre” affecting Palestinian and Lebanese civilians.
Opening the summit on Monday, MBS expressed strong condemnation of Israel’s attacks, urging international recognition of Palestinian statehood and decisive measures to halt the violence. His call was backed by leaders from the Arab and Muslim world, all convened in Riyadh to address the escalating crisis.
“Israel’s actions constitute a massacre against the Palestinian and Lebanese people,” MBS asserted, pressing for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for civilian rights in both regions.
The summit, attended by regional leaders, reflected the urgency of the situation. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati joined the event, and League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit added his voice to condemn the conflict, emphasizing the severe plight of Palestinian civilians.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the summit’s priorities are halting the aggression, protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian aid, strengthening Arab and Muslim unity, and urging global intervention to end the violence.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the gathering, condemning Israel’s actions and pushing for stronger international pressure to end the conflict.
While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was unable to attend, a phone conversation with MBS confirmed that Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, would represent Iran at the summit.
