The Saudi-African summit stressed the need to stop Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the need to protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.

The statement issued at the conclusion of the summit, today, Friday, stated that the participants stressed the necessity of enabling international organizations to carry out their work in the Gaza Strip.

They also stressed the importance of the role that the international community must play in pressuring the Israeli side to stop Israeli attacks and the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international laws.

They stressed the need to enable international humanitarian organizations to carry out their role in providing humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinian people, including United Nations organizations, especially UNRWA, and to support their efforts in this regard.

The statement, which was published by the Saudi Press Agency and called the “Riyadh Declaration,” indicated the necessity of ending the real cause of the conflict represented by the “Israeli occupation,” and the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution.

The leaders also stressed respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and good neighborliness based on the principle of equality, mutual respect, and common interests between states in accordance with international law.

They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, coordinate efforts, and exchange experiences in a way that serves and achieves common interests and contributes to achieving security and peace in the world, and to take all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of terrorist crimes in close cooperation among their countries.

The statement also confirmed that the Saudi-African summit is a historic turning point in the path of joint relations, and the strengthening of relations with African countries in the economic, political, and security fields.

He added that the Kingdom emphasizes the role of African countries and supports the African Union joining the G20.

Under the title “Fruitful Partnership,” Riyadh hosted today the first Saudi-African summit, establishing strategic cooperation between the two sides in various fields: economic, political, cultural and tourism.

A number of African leaders and leaders came to Riyadh to participate in the summit, which aims to develop Saudi Arabia’s relations with the countries of the African continent.

At the opening of the summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for an end to the war in Gaza, and said, “We condemn the military aggression witnessed in the Gaza Strip, the targeting of civilians, and the Israeli occupation authority’s continued violations of international and humanitarian law.” He added, “We stress the need to stop this war and forced displacement.”

Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz’s development initiative in Africa, which includes launching development projects and programs in the countries of the continent worth more than one billion dollars over a period of 10 years.

At the conclusion of the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced the adoption of the draft “Riyadh Declaration Road Map for Saudi-African Relations.”