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Saudi FM Calls for Palestinian Unity | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal confirmed Tuesday that Riyadh’s ambassador to Washington, Prince Turki Al Faisal, has resigned, saying it was for personal reasons.

At a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry in Riyadh today, Al Faisal said ‘It is true that he presented his resignation, and it was accepted’, It was a purely personal decision, he added.

Prince Faisal also denied media reports that the kingdom may back Sunni Muslims in their fight against Shiites if the United States withdraws from Iraq.

“Since the start of the crisis in Iraq … the kingdom has said it will stand at an equal distance from all Iraqi groups and does not describe itself as the guardian of any group or sect,” al-Faisal said.

“We cooperate with all those who want a united, independent and sovereign Iraq. And we hope all Iraqi citizens receive equal rights and duties under the law,” he added.

Regarding the escalating internal conflict between Hamas and the Fatah movement, Prince Saud urged Palestinians to overcome their differences to curb a slide into more violence.

“We follow with intense concern the dangerous escalation witnessed on the Palestinian stage,” said al-Faisal.

“We call on the brothers in Palestine to come together to… to end the Israeli occupation, the suffering of the Palestinian people and achieve their legitimate ambition for an independent state … not slide into internal conflicts.” he added.