Top Egyptian and Saudi leaders focused on Palestine during a summit on Sunday between Arab and EU countries.
“AN INDEPENDENT STATE WITH EAST JERUSALEM AS ITS CAPITAL”
During his opening address, King Salman referred to the Palestinian issue as the “first concern” for Arab countries. “We reaffirm our firm position towards the restoration of all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.
King Salman frequently speaks to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for updates on the latest developments in Palestine. “The resolution of the Palestinian issue is important not only for the stability of the Middle East but to the stability of the world and Europe in particular, and in this regard we appreciate the European efforts to find a just solution to this issue,” he said during his speech.
The statement comes as White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was heading to the region to discuss the latest on the long-awaited US proposal for peace in Palestine. King Salman said his country “permanently stands by Palestine and its people’s right to an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital” reported the official Saudi Press Agency.
Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem — occupied by Israel since 1967 — might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
