JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday reaffirmed its firm rejection of any attempts to impose parallel entities that undermine Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity, or sovereignty, stressing its support for the country’s legitimate state institutions and its commitment to preserving stability for the Somali people.
Representing Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji participated in an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states in Jeddah to discuss developments in Somalia, Saudi Gazette reported.
In his address, Al-Khuraiji reiterated the Kingdom’s full support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and its categorical rejection of the so-called mutual recognition between the Israeli occupation authorities and the Somaliland region.
He said such a move entrenches unilateral secessionist actions that violate international law, the UN Charter, and the OIC Charter.
He called on the OIC and its member states to adopt a firm collective Islamic stance rejecting any recognition of, or engagement with, separatist entities in Somalia, and to hold Israel fully responsible for any political or security consequences resulting from such actions.
Al-Khuraiji also urged coordinated action in international forums to reaffirm Somalia’s unity and prevent the creation of dangerous precedents that threaten the sovereignty of OIC member states, rejecting any measures or cooperation stemming from the alleged recognition.
He further reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s position on the centrality of the Palestinian cause, stressing the Kingdom’s support for all efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and establish an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
APP adds: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar inaugurated the new chancery building of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, Saudi dignitaries, Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Syed Mustafa Rabbani, prominent Pakistani citizens and officials of the Pakistan consulate, Jeddah.
During the ceremony, Pakistan’s flag was raised on the premises of new chancery building followed by tree plantation in the chancery lawn, ribbon cutting, unveiling of plaque and prayers for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
A brief video report highlighting the features of the project was displayed.
In his remarks, the deputy prime minister lauded the efforts of Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah and the support provided by the authorities of Saudi Arabia for making the project a reality.
He emphasised that the government is committed to facilitate overseas Pakistanis through provision of effective consular services.
After viewing the building and facilities, Ishaq Dar expressed satisfaction on the completion of the project and authorised the transfer of operations and consular services to the new chancery building at the earliest.
Western Region Saudi Arabia is home to about 1.8 million Pakistanis and the new chancery building and its facilities will go a long way to facilitate services for the community.
Senator Ishaq Dar Saturday arrived in Jeddah from Medina. He was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, the Saudi Royal Protocol, and Pakistan’s Deputy Consul General and officers in Jeddah. While in Jeddah, he was to attend the OIC Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
