Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a high-level meeting in NEOM on Thursday to strengthen bilateral ties and address the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in Palestine. The talks come amid intensified regional efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and counter growing instability across the Middle East.
The leaders convened for an expanded session followed by a private meeting at the NEOM Palace, where they reviewed strategic cooperation across political, economic, and security sectors. Discussions also focused on advancing coordination in light of escalating tensions in the region, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israeli actions in the West Bank.
Both Saudi Arabia and Egypt reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or reimpose Israeli military control over the Gaza Strip. They also condemned continued Israeli practices in the West Bank, warning that such measures undermine regional stability and violate international law. The two sides reiterated their longstanding support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi and Egyptian leaders call for accelerated Gaza aid
The talks highlighted the urgent need to facilitate the immediate and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The leaders also called for the release of all hostages and detainees, emphasizing the humanitarian toll of the conflict and the need for swift international action to protect civilian lives.
President El-Sisi underscored Egypt’s role in regional diplomacy, noting his country’s ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in coordination with multiple international actors. He also expressed Egypt’s full support for recent Saudi initiatives on the Palestinian issue, including outcomes from the international conference on the two-state solution hosted by the Kingdom.
Expanded cooperation to include development and energy
On the bilateral front, the meeting aimed to enhance economic collaboration and strategic alignment. Discussions included the activation of the Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council, a mechanism intended to boost joint investments, technology transfer, and development cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing. The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination amid rapidly changing regional dynamics.
They emphasized the importance of safeguarding the sovereignty of nations in the Middle East and preserving the integrity of national institutions in the face of ongoing security threats. Thursday’s meeting marks a continued deepening of the longstanding alliance between Riyadh and Cairo, as both countries position themselves to lead regional efforts on conflict resolution, economic integration, and strategic stability in the Arab world. – By Content Syndication Services.