Saudi king ‘optimistic’ on Afghan peace prospects

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AA) - Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday voiced optimism on the prospects of “turning a new page” in Afghanistan, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The king made the remarks on the second day of a Saudi-hosted conference on Afghanistan’s future sponsored by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“The Kingdom has provided humanitarian and economic assistance [to Afghanistan] and continues to exert efforts to eliminate differences between the Afghan people,” the king said, according to SPA.

These efforts, he added, would help end Afghanistan’s years-long conflict and achieve security and stability in the war-torn nation.

OIC Secretary-General Yusuf bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen, for his part, thanked King Salman for hosting the event.

Afghanistan continues to see frequent armed clashes between Afghan government forces and the Taliban militant group, which ruled the country for five years before the U.S. invaded and occupied the country in 2001.