Ashraf Abo Arafe
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, said that the kingdom does not want war in the region, but stressed that it will not hesitate to deal with any threat to their people, sovereignty and vital interests.
* Saudi Arabia & reimposing US sanctions on Iran!
The Saudi Crown Prince said in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat that the kingdom supported the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran, in their belief that the international community should adopt a firm stance towards Iran. He hoped that the Iranian regime would choose to be a normal state and stop hostile approach.
*..To safeguard the stability of the world economy!
“The Kingdom has an important role in the international community in its efforts to secure the arrival of oil supplies through its vital corridors in order to safeguard the stability of the world economy.” The world saw how we dealt with the Iranian carrier in the Red Sea as dictated by us but the Iranian Regime and its proxies, who carried out acts of sabotage against four tankers near the port of Fujairah, including two Saudi carriers, confirming the approach adopted by this system in the region and the world at large for many years. “, said bin Salman.
* Oil tankers!
He pointed out that the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf and the targeting of oil installations in the Kingdom and Abha Airport “stresses the importance of our demands from the international community to take a firm stand against an expansionist regime that supports terrorism and spreads the killing and destruction over the past decades, not only in the region but throughout the world.” Tehran’s use of the economic benefits of the nuclear deal to “support its hostile actions in the region and support the machinery of chaos and destruction.”
*Peace & stability!
Bin Salman stressed that “the Kingdom’s hand is always extended to peace to achieve the security and stability of the region,” pointing out that “the Iranian regime did not respect the presence of the Japanese Prime Minister guest in Iran and while he was responding in practice to his efforts, the attack on two carriers, one for Japan, They also carried out their attack on Abha airport, which clearly shows the approach of the Iranian regime and its intentions that target security and stability of the region. “
Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, “Saudi Arabia sees great importance for strategic relations with the United States as a key factor in achieving security and stability of the region.” He expressed his confidence, “our strategic relations with the United States will not be affected by any media campaigns or positions from here and there,” pointing out that the Kingdom always seeks to clarify the facts and misconceptions of some parties in the United States and other countries, and listen to what is offered and take advantage of the logical and objective, but ultimately our priority is their national interests.
* Yemen!
“Saudi Arabia supported all efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, but unfortunately the Houthi militia is advancing Iran’s agenda on the interests of Yemen and its people.” “We can not accept in the Kingdom the existence of militias outside the state institutions on our borders”, said bin Salman. He pointed out that in pursuit of this ultimate objective, saudi Arabia will continue their operations and support to the Yemeni people in their quest to protect their independence and sovereignty, whatever the sacrifices and in the area of reconstruction of liberated areas, their goal is not only to liberate Yemen from the presence of Iranian militias, but to achieve prosperity and stability for all Yemenis.
* Sudan!
He pointed out that his country is very interested in the security and stability of Sudan, “not only for the strategic importance of its location and the seriousness of the collapse of state institutions, but also because of the bonds of close brotherhood between the two peoples. He promised to continue inn their position in support of their Sudanese brothers in various fields until Sudan reaches its prosperity and progress.”
* Syria!
Regarding the Syrian crisis, he said that Riyadh is working with friendly countries to achieve goals, including “defeating an oppressive organization, preventing the return of the control of terrorist organizations, dealing with the destabilizing Iranian influence in Syria, and using all available means to achieve the political transition in accordance with resolution 2254, Unity of Syria “.
* Khashoggi!
He described the killing of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi as “a very painful crime”. He said the kingdom was seeking “full justice and accountability” in the case, without paying attention to what is being issued by some for their internal reasons, which are not hidden from anyone.” He called on “any party seeking to exploit the issue politically,” to “stop this and provide evidence to the court in the Kingdom to contribute to the achievement of justice.”
The Crown Prince pledged to continue “without hesitation in firmly addressing all forms of extremism and sectarianism and policies supporting them,” stressing that Saudi Arabia “will not waste time in partial treatments of extremism, history proves useless.”
* Saudi Aramco!
On the economic aspect, the commitment stressed “the general offering of Saudi Aramco, in accordance with the appropriate circumstances and in a timely manner,” but considered that “the location of the proposal is premature.” He noted that several preliminary steps had been completed in preparation for the proposal.
He explained that “the vision of the Kingdom 2030 moved from the stage of planning and design to the stage of implementation at all levels, and we began to see results on the ground.” He stressed that “what is happening in the Kingdom is not only a set of financial and economic reforms to achieve specific figures, but is a comprehensive structural change of macroeconomic aims to make a shift in economic performance and development in the medium and long.”
* Kingdom of 2030!
Bin Salman pointed out that “the programs of the vision of the Kingdom of 2030 contribute effectively to the process of economic transformation ..adding, “We are now moving from a rural economy to a productive economy and global competitiveness.” He explained that “the vision of the Kingdom and 2030 programs emanating from them, like any strategic plans must be subject to modernization and adjustment according to circumstances and data that appear at the application, without prejudice to the pillars of vision and objectives.
He expressed his pride that “the Saudi citizen is driving change, while many fear that the vision will face resistance because of the volume of change it contains.”
“The achievement of aspirations of our people through the goals of the Kingdom 2030 economic and social reform requires a stable and stimulating environment within the Kingdom and in the region. The role of the Kingdom, whether in the Gulf, North Africa or the Horn of Africa and elsewhere, is supportive of stability and peace, an approach that the Kingdom has always sought to renounce discrimination, sectarianism and extremism, maintaining the unity and stability of the region and international peace. “, said bin Salman.
At the end of the dialogue, the Crown Prince stressed that “the Kingdom is the Muslim destination and the country of the Two Holy Mosques, God’s love of natural wealth, strategic location and wise leadership since the time of the founding King, may God bless him and his family, to the auspicious covenant of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Thankfully, our country enjoys security, stability and prosperity today, and it is not appropriate for this great country to be at the forefront in all areas, whatever the circumstances and challenges, we will not rest until we achieve this goal for our country first and then for our brothers in the region. “
