Riyadh, 11 November 2023 (TDI): Saudi Arabia is set to host an extraordinary joint summit on Saturday, combining the scheduled Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit and the Arab League summit into a single event.
The decision to merge the two summits comes in response to the ongoing exceptional circumstances in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
In light of the unprecedented situation in Gaza, and following consultations between Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a decision has been reached to convene a “Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit” on November 11, in response to the urgent circumstances.
On Thursday, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Foreign Minister, chaired a preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh.
The aim of the meeting is to unify efforts and establish a collective position to address the pressing situation. The joint meeting has been organized following consultations with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as stated in the official ministry release.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar of Pakistan has arrived in Riyadh to represent his country at the emergency meeting of the OIC.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli ground operations in Gaza
The meeting is convened to address the recent events triggered by the October 7 raid on Israel by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
In the wake of this conflict, Israel has launched a brutal aerial campaign against Gaza, displaying a disregard for international law by targeting hospitals, mosques, civilian dwellings, and other structures.
The toll on civilians has been devastating, with at least 11,000 casualties reported, including a significant percentage of children.
Deputy Governor Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz welcomed Prime Minister Kakar upon his arrival at the King Khalid International Airport.
The three-day official visit will include the Prime Minister’s participation in the emergency meeting, where discussions will center on addressing and condemning the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
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