Saudi Arabia rejects use of sea routes for pressure — Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, at a meeting in Riyadh, stated that the use of key sea routes for pressure, threats, or harm to the interests of states is unacceptable. The meeting was chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The government also stated the need to restore in the Strait of Hormuz the conditions that existed before February 28, without imposing fees or restrictions.

Navigation security

The Saudi Cabinet welcomed a statement by members of the UN Security Council condemning ongoing attacks attributed to the Houthi group against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels. The statement also referred to threats to navigation security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as well as the undermining of efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.

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According to Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Information Salman al-Dosari, the kingdom’s position on sea routes is based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Regional contacts

At the beginning of the meeting, Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Cabinet on telephone talks with the president of the aggressor state Russia, Vladimir Putin, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

He also reported on a meeting with the Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During these contacts, the parties discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and efforts to strengthen security and stability at the regional and international levels.