CAIRO: Saudi Arabia told an Arab League meeting on Wednesday it supports all efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
But a statement released by the Saudi foreign ministry on remarks made by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud included no direct mention of a normalisation deal between Israel and the UAE.
Prince Faisal said Riyadh supported the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the borders before the 1967 Middle East war, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the statement.
“Surprise” accord
In comments about the UAE at the Arab League meeting in Cairo, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki referred to the accord as a “surprise”, “a normalisation” and an “earthquake” that hit Arab consensus.
He avoided strong words such as “betrayal” that were used by Palestinian leaders in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.
Al Maliki used tougher language against Israel, referring to “colonial and racist occupation” and accused the US of blackmail, pressure and assault against Palestinians and some Arab states.
He expressed dismay at the lack of Arab consensus that prevented an emergency Arab summit being held at the Palestinians’ request following the 13 August announcement.
He called for an immediate rejection of the accord before the signing ceremony planned at the White House next week.