Saudi Foreign Ministry issued unprecedented statement in support of President Trump's political plan • "Call on both sides to start direct negotiations" • King Salman spoke to PA chairman Abbas and told him:

• Saudi King Salman and President Trump // Photo: IPA

Saudi Arabia responded to US President Donald Trump's Centennial Plan and called on Israel and the Palestinians to open direct negotiations as soon as possible.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry, it states: "The kingdom sees the efforts of the administration and President Trump to develop a comprehensive peace plan between the Israeli and Palestinian indices and encourages the parties to begin direct negotiation with the United States."

"We urge the parties to resolve any disagreements on various aspects of the program and negotiate, in order to move forward in the peace process and reach an agreement that fulfills the aspirations and rights of the Palestinians," the statement said.

Meanwhile, he learned that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud was talking to Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen on the phone and assured him that Saudi Arabia would side with the Palestinians in safeguarding their rights.