RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji stressed the need for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza and the protection of civilians on Monday. Speaking at the 19th meeting of the foreign ministers of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Tehran, Al-Khuraiji said it was necessary to secure the arrival of humanitarian aid and to intensify efforts to bring about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also spoke of the importance of deepening cooperation to face various challenges, including food and energy security, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Khuraiji said the Kingdom believes in the importance of strengthening cooperation in emerging fields and challenges, including the climate change crisis. Increasing cooperation in the field of global governance of artificial intelligence and new technologies and collective action to calm tensions and promote dialogue and joint action were also necessary, Al-Khuraiji told the meeting.