In a decisive move, Saudi Arabia announced its decision to host an extraordinary joint Islamic-Arab summit in Riyadh on Saturday, replacing the previously scheduled separate summits of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League. The joint summit aims to address the critical and pressing circumstances in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, fostering unified efforts and a collective position among participating countries.
The Saudi foreign ministry released a statement, noting that the decision was made in consultation with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The summit’s primary focus is to respond to the exceptional situation unfolding in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has resulted in a devastating toll on civilians, with at least 11,000 reported casualties, including a significant number of children, due to relentless Israeli attacks.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived in Riyadh to represent Pakistan at this emergency meeting. The prime minister’s three-day official visit will include participation in discussions at the summit, addressing the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The urgency and gravity of the situation have prompted the consolidation of efforts within the joint summit, emphasizing the need for a collective stance to address the crisis. The decision to bring together Islamic and Arab leaders underscores the shared concern and commitment to finding a resolution to the Gaza conflict.