Occupation of Palestine land causing instability, says Saudi minister

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia said Israeli’s occupation of Palestinian territories is the core issue in the Middle East.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people the core issues, while the continuation of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is the major reason for instability in the region,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah said while addressing the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran on Thursday.
Prince Abdul Aziz represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at the summit. The prince renewed the Kingdom’s firm stance supporting the Palestinian cause and called upon NAM member countries that did not recognize it as such to do so.
So far 132 countries have recognized the Palestinian state.
“Based on the Kingdom’s conviction and desire to spread peace in the world, it calls on all member countries to resolve their differences through peaceful ways and bilateral negotiations, or through the International Court of Justice,” the prince said, reiterating the Kingdom’s firm support to the ideals of nonalignment.
The prince also reminded the summit about the efforts made by King Abdullah to promote world peace through the dialogues of different religions, cultures and civilizations.
He added that the Kingdom also urged other countries to support countries that faced economic, political and security challenges, stressing that "we all must provide support for any effort to achieve security, stability and prosperity in any member country, because the security and stability of one country is related to the security and stability of all."
The prince highlighted the Kingdom’s active role in the development of the world’s economy by guaranteeing fuel security with the steady supply of oil to overcome any oil shortfall in the world market.