UPDATE – Saudi Arabia-Iran relations to strengthen regional solidarity, China’s president tells Saudi crown prince

UPDATES WITH DETAILS

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The improved bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will “strengthen regional solidarity,” China’s President Xi Jinping told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) on Tuesday.

“The recent successful dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing helped improve bilateral relations between the two countries, which will strengthen regional solidarity and ease the tensions in the region. China will further support the process,” Xi told MbS, who is also the kingdom’s prime minister, in a phone call.

China, Xi told MbS, “is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to advance the China-Arab community with shared future,” Chinese daily Global Times reported.

The Saudi crown prince, for his part, hailed China’s support for good-neighborly relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

According to state news agency SPA, the two leaders discussed efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Riyadh and Tehran announced early this month the restoration of diplomatic ties during talks hosted by Beijing, a deal called a diplomatic coup by China.

The two sides are expected to open embassies in each other’s capitals within two months since the deal was signed on March 10.

Top diplomats of Saudi Arabia and Iran have since held two phone calls and are expected to meet during the ongoing Ramadan, the holy fasting month of Muslims.

“Saudi Arabia sincerely appreciates the support from China in improving Saudi Arabia-Iran relations, which underscores China’s role as a responsible major country,” MbS told Xi.

*Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report