NEOM, November 9, 2020, SPA -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a phone call today from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. During the phone call, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields. They also discussed supporting the efforts being exerted to ensure the success of the G20 Summit to be hosted this month by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two sides agreed on the need to confront all forms of extremism and terrorism. The King affirmed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist operations committed recently in France and Austria. He also stressed the Kingdom's stance that strongly condemns the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, adding that freedom of expression is a moral value that promotes respect and coexistence among peoples, not a tool for spreading hate and cultural and civilizational clash. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques pointed out the importance of strengthening rapprochement between followers of religions and civilizations, spreading the values of tolerance and moderation, and rejecting all forms of practices that generate hate, violence and extremism. --SPA 00:05 LOCAL TIME 21:05 GMT 0027 www.spa.gov.sa/w1445017