KSA Crown Prince plans on snubbing G7 summit
Date
6/23/2024 8:02:45 AM
(MENAFN) Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has decided not to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Italy, citing commitments related to overseeing the Hajj pilgrimage season in his country. The Saudi Press Agency reported that Bin Salman expressed his regrets to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and conveyed his apology for not being able to participate in the summit scheduled for June 13 in Puglia.
Bin Salman was part of a select group of Middle Eastern leaders invited to the G7 meeting, reflecting Italy's efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Gulf states. However, the Crown Prince emphasized the significance of his duties during the Hajj, which is set to commence on June 14 and is expected to attract approximately 1.5 million pilgrims to Mecca.
In a statement from the Saudi government, Bin Salman acknowledged the robust bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and Italy, wishing the Italian authorities success in hosting the summit. Previous reports had indicated Bin Salman's anticipated attendance at the G7, marking his first participation in such a gathering.
Italy has extended invitations to leaders from over a dozen countries and entities for this year's summit, including prominent figures from the Middle East and North Africa. Among those expected to attend are United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, underscoring the event's diverse international participation.
MENAFN23062024000045015687ID1108362280
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.