ISTANBUL, Aug 20 — Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani arrived Wednesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh as part of a state visit and met with officials to discuss efforts for defusing regional tensions, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
Sheikh Mohammed met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss bilateral ties and the latest regional developments as well as “diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and enhance security and stability,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The two reaffirmed “their support for efforts to resolve disputes through diplomatic means,” the statement said.
They also called for the coordination of regional and international efforts to prioritise dialogue.
The two also stressed the need to safeguard maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, ensuring trade flows and regional stability, it added.
Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed – who also serves as Qatar’s foreign minister – was welcomed by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khereiji upon his arrival in Riyadh, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.
The statement did not provide any details regarding the visit’s duration.
The visit by the Qatari leader comes amid unprecedented regional tensions related to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, of which Saudi Arabia is a longstanding ally.
