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Saudi Ambassador reiterates Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian People and their Right to Self-Determination
Foreign Affairs,UN

Saudi Ambassador reiterates Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian People and their Right to Self-Determination

H.E. Mr Abdulrahman Alahmed, Saudi Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission to the EU, spoke on behalf of the Kingdom at the the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Coordination of Development Assistance for the Palestinian Authority on 4 May in Brussels. The full text of his speech is given below.

In the name of God the Most Graceful the Most Merciful

 

Chairperson,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

At the outset, we welcome the convening of this meeting, wishing success in its work and deliberations.

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its firm support for the Palestinian people and its inalienable rights, foremost of which is the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian State, in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1964, including Jerusalem, in accordance with the Constitution of the United Nations, its relevant resolutions and International legal standards and principles.
Saudi Arabia also calls for the withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab-occupied territories and an end to the construction of settlements on the Palestinian territories, which are illegal and present a serious obstacle to peace.

 

In 2002, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented its historic Peace Initiative, which has been adopted by the Beirut Arab Summit and became an Arab initiative for peace that was equally adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It represented an important and historic turning point in the peace process, and set in motion a new phase to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, in addition to laying the foundation for a comprehensive and just peace, where Palestinians, Israelis and all people of the region live in harmony, security and prosperity.

 

The Amman Declaration, issued by the last Arab Countries’ Summit in March, reaffirms this initiative, strengthens the commitment of the Arab side, and calls on the Israeli side to initiate a response for peace.

 

The Palestinian issue is at the centre of the conflict in the Middle East, and is the focal point of all conflicts in the region. One of the most dangerous aspects of the conflict in Palestine are Israel’s plans to make the city of Jerusalem exclusively Jewish; to change its demographic structure, distort its Arab-Islamic identity and tamper with its Islamic holy sites.

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any violation of Jerusalem and any attempt to circumvent the historical and religious status of 1.5 billion Muslims. The Kingdom firmly denounces any attempt to change its legal status, admit it as the capital of Israel, or transfer any embassy to it. We call on all States to abide by international resolutions in this regard.

 

Since the inception of the Palestinian cause, Saudi Arabia has committed itself to providing material and moral support to the Palestinian Authority. This support, both bilateral or through International Organizations, underpins the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people at all political, economic and humanitarian levels, either as humanitarian aid relief or as a support for reconstruction programs, in various sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and many more. In this respect, the Government of Saudi Arabia paid its full share up to March 2017, which brings the total amount paid to support the Palestinian budget, to more than 2.3 billion US dollars since 2002.

 

In this regard, we emphasize on how to improve the regularity of financial resources provided to the Palestinian Authority. In addition, the most pressing step to be made in this endeavour is to regulate and maintain the monthly transfers of tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The International Community should work to achieve that goal, as donors cannot step in each time Israel stops paying tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority.

 

The time has come to give the people of Palestine a peaceful and secure life. We call on all donor countries to fulfil their commitments. The international community must act to open the crossings as soon as possible, to ensure that they remain open so that donors can implement their plans and programs for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, taking into consideration that the financial support alone is not the sole solution to the problem of the Palestinians. Political support, especially from the international community, is required now: to resolve the Palestinian issue; to achieve real, lasting justice; to improve the economic, social and development conditions of the Palestinian people; and to seek lasting peace in Palestine and in the broader region.

Thank you.

 

His Excellency Mr Abdulrahman Bin Sulaiman Alahmed
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Head of the Mission to the European Union

Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen Calls on the U.N. to Protect Humanitarian Shipments  
Foreign Affairs,Yemen

Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen Calls on the U.N. to Protect Humanitarian Shipments  

 

The Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen called on the United Nations to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments through the Port of Hodeidah. Badly needed food and medical supplies are not reaching people who need them, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.  The coalition also asserted that Houthi rebels are seizing and selling humanitarian supplies that pass through the port.

The following is the full statement:

“The Coalition is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Yemeni population receives the food and medicines it needs.

“Hodeidah port is an important entry point for humanitarian supplies. But it is currently in the hands of the Houthi rebels, who use it to smuggle arms and people. Houthi rebels also finance their ongoing violent campaign to overthrow the legitimate government by seizing humanitarian supplies and selling them for exorbitant sums.

“We have called on the United Nations to exercise oversight of Hodeidah port to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments. Other ports including Aden, Mukalla and other airports are open as routes for humanitarian supplies.”

Saudi Arabia stands alongside the UN and EU to forge a peaceful solution for Syria’s future  
Foreign Affairs,Humanitarian Relief,Syria

Saudi Arabia stands alongside the UN and EU to forge a peaceful solution for Syria’s future  

The Saudi ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and the head of the Mission to the EU, H.E. Mr Abdulrahman S. Alahmed, today represented the Kingdom at the international conference for the future of Syria and the surrounding region.

Hoping for a productive exchange, Ambassador Alahmed reasserted the Kingdom’s position that the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, its security and military institutions must be preserved.

“The government of my country has, since the beginning of the conflict, sought to forge the peaceful solutions necessary for Syria’s future, and has cooperated with other partners and allies to avoid the human tragedy we are currently witnessing.”

Mr Alahmed recalled the success of the 2015 conference in Riyadh where the Syrian Supreme Commission of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces – the representative body entrusted with negotiating in the name of the Syrian Opposition – was established. The body, welcomed both regionally and internationally “has since served as a negotiation reference in all rounds held since that date. The body still participates in negotiations, and has demonstrated genuine efforts to be cooperative and flexible, as witnessed by all parties-“ This is in spite of the intransigence of the Assad regime and its allies, who have exploited the negotiations in order to carry out further crimes against the Syrian people.

The Ambassador underlined the Kingdom’s support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the United Nations General Secretary Mr Staffan De Mistura and his efforts to find a political and peaceful solution that excludes Bashar al Assad. “The Kingdom supports his efforts to advance the negotiation process between the Syrian parties in Geneva and progress towards solutions based upon the first Geneva Convention, UN resolution 2254 and the other international resolutions.” He called on all parties to abide by international law and agreement on respecting ceasefires, delivering humanitarian aid and releasing detainees and abductees held by the regime and its militias.

Mr Alahmed renewed Saudi Arabia’s calls on the international community to stand firmly against the interference of Iranian militia and their efforts to impose demographic change, sectarianism and ethnic cleansing in Syria, including the forced displacement of people in the pursuit of such in some areas of the country.

Saudi Arabia, he said “affirms the importance of imposing sanctions on the perpetrators of war crimes in Syria, and in this regard, praises the UN General Assembly’s resolution 2332 issued on 22 December 2016, calling for the establishment of a retribution mechanism for war crimes in Syria, which should be activated promptly.”

The Saudi Ambassador referred to the Kingdom’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Syrians both through substantial humanitarian aid and relief, as well as welcoming 2.5 million Syrian refugees as Saudi citizens with access to medical and educational services and the ability to take up jobs.

“Substantial humanitarian aid and relief were offered either through donor’s conferences, or by national campaign programs to support our brothers in Syria, or through the “King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.” Many of these programs are still active both in Syria and in the neighbouring countries (Turkey – Jordan – Lebanon). The total value of Saudi humanitarian aid and relief has reached over 780 million US Dollars in addition to the commitments taken through donors’ conferences.”

Ambassador Alahmed

H.E. the Ambassador concluded that “It is wrong to downplay the Syrian crisis in terms of its human suffering. The extent of pain, grief and tragedy is unprecedented. Yet, perhaps the ugliest aspect of the war is the survival of the Syrian regime and its persistence in its criminal approach. Indeed, only hours ago, the news circulated that the regime was using Sarin gas in the countryside of Idlib in a new criminal move showing the indifference of this regime to international decisions and demands.”

Houthi rebels continue to recruit child soldiers in Yemen
Saudi News,Yemen

Houthi rebels continue to recruit child soldiers in Yemen

The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Ravina Shamdasani, spoke this week about the numerous reports received on the recruitment of children in Yemen in the armed conflict, mostly by the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthi rebels. According to the spokesperson, “between 26 March 2015 and 31 January 2017, the UN has verified the recruitment of 1,476 children, all boys. However the numbers are likely to be much higher as most families are not willing to talk about the recruitment of their children, for fear of reprisals.”

Miss Shamdasani added, “just last week, we received new reports of children who were recruited without the knowledge of their families. Children under the age of 18 often join the fighting after either being misled or attracted by promises of financial rewards or social status. Many are then quickly sent to the front lines of the conflict or tasked with manning checkpoints.”

The UN has urged the party concerned to immediately release such children and reminded that the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is strictly forbidden by international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and when concerning cases of recruitment of children under fifteen may amount to a war crime.

Houthi militias continue to violate international norms and conventions
Humanitarian Relief,International Law

Houthi militias continue to violate international norms and conventions

The Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Cairo issued a statement on Sunday, 1 January 2017 addressing the Houthi militias’ violation of international norms and conventions. The statement pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to the United Nations Resolution 2216 a cease-fire in Yemen and allowing humanitarian aid to areas under siege and lifting the siege.

The statement stated that on 20 October 2016, that Saudi Foreign Minister  H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir confirmed the Kingdom’s support of the Yemeni government, “We support the Yemeni government’s call for an end to the violence and so the coalition will abide by it. But again I want to emphasize that we have the right to defend ourselves.”

Despite a truce lasting from 20 April 2016 until 13 July 2016, “12,704” cases of violation were recorded. 75,382 gross violations against civilians and public and private property were committed by the Houthi and Saleh-supporting militia during the first half of 2016, including cases of murder, injury, kidnapping, arrest and arbitrary attacks on public and private property, not to mention  the undermining of local authorities, the recruitment of children and the administration of collective punishment.
During the period from 2014 to 2015 there were 257 cases of violation against media institutions and 86 against websites, 91 cases of academics being kidnapped. In addition 262 arrests of military personnel were recorded along with 1,302 cases of individuals being for their political affiliation, as well as 2706 enforced disappearance and 32 individual under house arrest in Sanaa.

Find can find further details in a factsheet here.

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Houthi aggression and disregard for ceasefire conditions puts paid to Saudi peace efforts
Defence,Foreign Affairs,Humanitarian Relief,Saudi News

Houthi aggression and disregard for ceasefire conditions puts paid to Saudi peace efforts

It was on 19 November 2016 that the command of the Saudi-led Arab alliance in Yemen gave its support to a 48-hour UN-backed ceasefire. The hope was that this respite from the bloodshed would allow for the delivery of sorely needed humanitarian aid across the country. It was also very clear that cessation of hostilities could be extended if the Iran-allied Houthi militia abided by the terms of truce. Importantly, this included allowing the entry of aid to the besieged areas of the war-torn country, particularly Taiz City, Yemen’s third largest city. What was formally the country’s vibrant cultural capital is now almost completely surrounded by the Houthis and their allies. The suffering of the city’s inhabitants is immeasurable.

Ultimately, the aim of the ceasefire was to bring about a permanent and lasting end to the conflict through the reopening of diplomatic channels. Alas, the Pacification Committee of the Yemeni army recorded in excess of 70 breaches of the truce by Houthi forces  its allies in Taiz province, only moments after the ceasefire came into effect. These infringements included shelling with heavy and medium weapons and sniping that wounded two civilians. Militia fired artillery and mortar shells at people’s homes in Al-Salow District and bombed the Al-Tabadud Valley area. Mortar rounds and rockets rained down indiscriminately across the different areas of Taiz City. In total, the ceasefire was broken 563 times in Yemen and 163 times on the Saudi border, a coalition official confirmed.

Beyond the flagrant contravention of the ceasefire terms, Houthi forces have frequently launched missiles into Saudi Arabian territory. On one occasion, the Houthis even went as far as to target the Holy City of Makkah, the holiest site of the Muslim world. When such atrocities are regularly attempted by the Houthis, there can be no foundation of trust on which to base a ceasefire. Saudi Arabia necessarily reserves the right to act with the utmost caution in brokering such ceasefires with the Houthis, bearing in mind that the protection of our own citizens must be our priority.

In a latest development, Houthis and General People’s Congress have unilaterally announced the formation of a new government that had legitimacy or support from the internationally recognised Yemeni government. These actions have been condemned by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh, who said, the move “represents a new and concerning obstacle to the peace process and does not serve the interests of the people of Yemen in these difficult times.” Equally, the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher said that Houthis and their allies are “certainly aware that they are undermining U.N. peace efforts when announcing a new government.”

We join Mr Ould Cheikh in his plea to the Houthis and the General People’s Congress to “re-think their approach & demonstrate their commitment to the peace process with concrete actions,” rather than illegitimate and damaging posturing. To end the conflict there must be a withdrawal from occupied cities, and a handing over arms to make way for a much-needed political process and reconstruction of the country.

Now Online: November Edition Of Saudi Arabia In Focus Newsletter
Climate Change,Foreign Affairs,Newsletter,UN

Now Online: November Edition Of Saudi Arabia In Focus Newsletter

november

 

KSA Mission Newsletter November 2016

This issue covers, amongst other things, the recent visit to Brussels of Dr Al-Rabeeah of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, our commitment to implementing the Paris Climate Agreement, the Saudi view on Iranian aggression and the controversial US JASTA bill, and our support of the UN’s World Food Program.

 

 

 

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