Saudi Foreign Minister Minimizes the Potential for Iran-Israel Conflict During Gaza Strife
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud assures that the Trump administration is not escalating the threat of a regional conflict, as he discusses major Middle East matters at the World Economic Forum.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, stated that he does not view U.S. President Donald Trump's administration as heightening the risk of war between Israel and Iran, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.
While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of preventing conflict in the region, especially given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and its potential to expand into a wider confrontation.
The minister pointed out that President Trump has consistently preferred to avoid conflict, countering concerns raised after Hamas's deadly cross-border raid on Israel in October 2023. This attack prompted a severe military response from Israel, involving Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, followed by a ceasefire agreement reached more than a year later.
Prince Faisal also emphasized the necessity of international support to aid in rebuilding Syria, a nation devastated by years of conflict.
He called for the removal of sanctions imposed due to the previous Assad regime's actions to facilitate the reconstruction process.
Additionally, he expressed Saudi Arabia's renewed engagement with Lebanon, revealing plans to visit Beirut for the first time in over a decade, while underscoring that genuine reforms were crucial for deeper involvement.
Regarding the future governance of Gaza, both Prince Faisal and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who assisted in brokering the ceasefire, expressed hopes for a return to Palestinian Authority rule, though details on Gaza's governance were not specified in the ceasefire agreement.
While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of preventing conflict in the region, especially given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and its potential to expand into a wider confrontation.
The minister pointed out that President Trump has consistently preferred to avoid conflict, countering concerns raised after Hamas's deadly cross-border raid on Israel in October 2023. This attack prompted a severe military response from Israel, involving Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, followed by a ceasefire agreement reached more than a year later.
Prince Faisal also emphasized the necessity of international support to aid in rebuilding Syria, a nation devastated by years of conflict.
He called for the removal of sanctions imposed due to the previous Assad regime's actions to facilitate the reconstruction process.
Additionally, he expressed Saudi Arabia's renewed engagement with Lebanon, revealing plans to visit Beirut for the first time in over a decade, while underscoring that genuine reforms were crucial for deeper involvement.
Regarding the future governance of Gaza, both Prince Faisal and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who assisted in brokering the ceasefire, expressed hopes for a return to Palestinian Authority rule, though details on Gaza's governance were not specified in the ceasefire agreement.
