RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Sunday dwelt upon various issues, including terrorism, Yemen and reforms in the UN, while hailing the Kingdom’s strong ties with South Africa.
The king was speaking during a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma, who is on a state visit to the capital.
He described South Africa as one of the major trading partners of the Kingdom.
The king hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting president and his accompanying delegation at Al-Yamamah Palace.
King Salman appreciated the concerns shown by South Africa to regional issues, particularly its stand toward the Palestinian cause.
“We stressed the importance of continued cooperation and consultation on international and regional issues, particularly UN reforms and the fight against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
“We hope international efforts will help resolve the Syrian crisis in accordance with Geneva I decisions,” said the king.
“In Yemen, we hope that peace and security are achieved, and that Yemeni-Yemeni consultations sponsored by the UN will find a political solution based on UN Security Council resolution No. 2216,” added the king.
Among those present at the palace to meet Zuma were Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar.
Besides according a guard of honor to the visiting president, King Salman decorated Zuma with the King Abdulaziz Medal.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations between the Kingdom and South Africa was signed during the talks.
Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir and Maite Nkoana Mashabane, South African minister of international relations and cooperation, signed the MoU.
Addressing local businessmen, Zuma called for greater and expanded economic cooperation between his country and the Kingdom.
Acknowledging South Africa’s political relations with Saudi Arabia as strong, Zuma stressed that economic and trade ties should be reviewed and revitalized. “Opportunities for mutual partnerships between our two countries are almost limitless,” he said.
Addressing a joint press conference with Mashabane, Jubeir said no country can individually face terror and that extremism is a challenge to humanity.
He urged the world community to stand against this menace unitedly.
Referring to Iran, he said it should change its attitude and approach to respect the sovereignty of other countries.
“If Iran wants to maintain good relations with Saudi Arabia, it should stop supporting terrorist cells and promoting sectarianism.”
Mashabane also met Royal Court Adviser Ahmed Al-Khatib, Saudi Development Fund Vice President Yousef Al-Bassam and Saudi Investment Fund Supervisor Yasser Al-Rumayyan.
Zuma, who arrived here on Saturday evening, was received by Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar at the King Khaled International Airport.
In the morning, Zuma met Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and also top Saudi businessmen.
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