Saudi foreign minister calls for accountability, adherence to international law
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan has highlighted the need for accountability and adherence to international law to restore global respect.
He criticized the lack of international action to stop Israel’s military escalation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza and Lebanon, citing it as evidence of the multilateral system’s shortcomings.
“The Kingdom believes that peace is the foundation that paves the way for cooperation and development, and is the protector of their sustainability,” Prince Faisal said during the “Leadership for Peace” open debate on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.
“These circumstances require us to evaluate the state of international multilateral action and the reasons for its decline in resolving crises and addressing common challenges,” he added.
He added that Saudi Arabia will continue to support and develop the multilateral system, enabling its purposes and restoring confidence in its institutions.
Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia “will continue to support the multilateral international system, seek to develop it, enable its purposes, and restore confidence in its institutions. It is also committed to strengthening collective action to achieve common security and development.”
Israeli attacks continued across Lebanon on Thursday amid talks of a 21-day ceasefire.
On Wednesday, 72 people were killed in the attack across Lebanon as the death toll from Israel’s bombings surpassed 620.
