Saudi Arabia has been playing an important role in promoting world peace and stability, said Abdullah Al-Moallemi, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he also stressed the importance of the interfaith dialogue initiative launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

He said the Kingdom is seeking a fair settlement of the Syrian crisis. “Any such settlement must begin with the departure of those who were responsible for the bloodshed of the Syrian people. Their hands have been tainted because of their war crimes and crimes against humanity. It would be an injustice to have these people play any role in shaping the future of the new Syria.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia has been a pioneer in settling many regional conflicts, including those in Yemen, Lebanon and Somalia, by reaching consensus among belligerents.”

The Taif conference helped in ending the civil war in Lebanon, while the Gulf initiative assisted Yemen to establish peace in the country. The conference of Somali elders in Jeddah was the starting point in resolving the Somali crisis.

Al-Moallemi referred to the establishment of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in cooperation with the governments of Spain and Austria.

One of the center’s main achievements is the establishment of a network of global policy dialogue with a number of experts and key governmental, political and religious figures. The Saudi official highlighted Riyadh’s efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East.