Saudi FM denies talks on 'Middle East alliance' at Jeddah summit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has denied discussing military cooperation with Israel at the Jeddah Security and Development summit on Saturday - or ever before. 

The Saudi foreign minister was answering questions from journalists at a summit news conference in the coastal city. 

“Opening our airspace has nothing to do with changing diplomatic relations with Israel, nor is it a step towards doing so,” retorted bin Farhan to suggestions this was tantamount to diplomatic cooperation. 

Saudi Arabia had announced on Friday it was lifting restrictions on 'all carriers' using its airspace, an apparent gesture of openness towards Israel ahead of US President Joe Biden's arrival.

Earlier on Thursday, a US official told Reuters that Saudi Arabia will soon allow unfettered overflight to Israeli airlines and permit direct charter flights from Israel for Muslims participating in the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

“We hope that the Jeddah summit will have positive outcomes” said bin Farhan at the closing conference, pointing out that the diplomatic meeting primarily focussed on strengthening Saudi relationships with the US. 

He added that “Saudi Arabia maintains and protects its relationship with Iran,” clarifying that “the talks with Iran have been positive - though they are yet to bear fruit”. 

According to Farhan, the only way to work with Iran is through diplomatic means - which would be compromised by deepened relationships with Israel. 

“There was absolutely no talk of a defence alliance between the Gulf states and Israel,” stressed the foreign minister.

Instead, the summit focused on regional food security, global economic forecasting, oil production, and Saudi cooperation with neighbouring states on energy security, Farhan told journalists. 

Palestinians and their allies have strongly opposed normalisation deals given the continued systematic abuse faced by Palestinians in occupied territory.

Many Palestinians have criticised Biden's visit for concentrating on normalisation and thus, sweeping to one side their rights to self-determination as well as the continuation of illegal Israeli settlements.