Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday engaged in discussions focusing on bilateral relations and the evolving dynamics in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement noting that Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from Marco Rubio. During this call, the diplomats deliberated on 'bilateral relations, developments in regional and international situations, and the efforts being exerted in this regard.' The conversation underscored Washington's dedication to the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as stated by the US State Department.

Tommy Pigott, the principal deputy spokesperson, highlighted that the discussions also addressed efforts to secure the return of hostages from Gaza and the pressing humanitarian needs in the enclave. Additional topics included the situations in Syria and Sudan. This diplomatic exchange occurred in the context of significant international developments, particularly the official recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK, Canada, and Australia on the same day. This recognition is seen as part of a broader diplomatic initiative aimed at advancing the two-state solution to the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Furthermore, several other countries, such as Belgium, France, and Portugal, are anticipated to formalize their recognition of the Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly session this week. An international conference of high-level importance, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled for Monday to further discussions on implementing the two-state solution.

In a related development, UN investigators have recently concluded that Israel is engaged in acts of genocide in Gaza, where the conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 65,300 people since October 2023.