DEMARCHE: ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL MEETING ON GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001879

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018
TAGS: KPAL KWBG MOPS PHUM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL MEETING ON GAZA
SITUATION

REF: A. SECSTATE 134964

B. RIYADH 1871

Classified By: CDA David Rundell, reasons 1.4 b, d.


1. (C) In the absence of FM Saud Al-Faisal, currently in
Muscat with King Abdallah attending the GCC Summit, Charge
delivered reftel A points to the Saudi MFA's Ra'ed Krimly,
Director of Western Affairs. Krimly responded that Saudi
Arabia has strongly condemned what he termed "the Israeli
aggression" and called for an immediate cessation of
hostilities. Krimly was pleased to learn of USG support for
UNRWA and said Saudi Arabia would also continue to support
UNRWA.


2. (C) Krimly said that the King and Foreign Minister are
currently in Muscat coordinating a unified GCC position on
Gaza. This unified position will be announced later today
and will be presented at the Arab League Foreign Ministers
meeting tomorrow (December 31).


3. (C) Krimly took note of the US request that Arab League
statements be based UNSCR 1850, and promised to convey this
point to the Foreign Minister as soon as possible. Krimly
acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has not/not publicly condemned
Hamas.
RUNDELL