Naif Alotaibi, a prominent Saudi writer and media adviser, has maintained that the world seeks Riyadh’s assistance in resolving major world conflicts not only due to its strong financial standing and political clout but also because there are several other deeper factors that make the kingdom a trusted mediator.
Alotaibi, currently serving as press attaché at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, expressed these views in a recent opinion piece published in Arab News.
He opined that Saudi Arabia possesses immense political influence, making it a trusted mediator in resolving international disputes.
However, this trust has not emerged from thin air; it is the result of decades of diplomatic efforts, during which Riyadh has demonstrated integrity, honesty and a sincere commitment to achieving peace and stability — regionally and globally — even at great cost, the Saudi writer said.
He said that the world trusts Riyadh because of its neutrality, fairness in handling various issues and its ability to provide sustainable and just solutions.
“This has earned it the respect of opposing parties and made it a focal point for global diplomacy, where world leaders meet, seek its counsel and rely on its contributions to resolving disputes and bridging differences.
“This, in turn, has made Riyadh an accepted and respected mediator by all conflicting sides,” according to write.
In the opinion piece, he also highlighted historical events that explained the reasons behind Riyadh’s standing as a trusted mediator.
For many years, he said Riyadh played a crucial role in ending international conflicts. It was instrumental in bringing an end to Lebanon’s 15-year civil war through the Taif Agreement in 1989, which laid the foundation for peace and security in Lebanon.
In 1990, Saudi Arabia stood firmly with Kuwait when it was invaded, helping to repel the Iraqi aggression, restore Kuwait’s sovereignty and mobilise vast international support for its liberation.
Similarly, Riyadh also played a key role in reconciling Morocco and Algeria after years of political tension during the 1980s, leading to the restoration of diplomatic ties, as per the Saudi writer.
The Saudi press attaché said these examples illustrate how Riyadh has leveraged its political influence, economic strength and status as a major energy producer to halt wars, resolve conflicts and defuse crises between nations.
