Government | Thursday 22 September, 2016 5:39 am |

A cross section of the Saudi society has expressed optimism regarding the trip of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif to New York to attend and address the 71st General Assembly meeting of the United Nations. 
“I hope that his address at the UN General Assembly and talks with world leaders on crucial issues in the region will bear positive results,” said Ibrahim M. Al-Alim, Estefaa Agricultural Group president. The crown prince addressed the UN General Assembly meeting Wednesday, outlining the the Kingdom's views on various developments in the region such as the Yemeni issue, the Syrian conflict and the exodus of Syrian refugees. Al-Alim added that he was hoping corresponding action on issues pertaining to the region would be taken as a result of the crown prince’s trip to New York.“We keep our fingers crossed that positive action would be taken to end the Yemeni conflict, the carnage in Syria and the exodus of Syrian refugees, whose number has passed more than 4 million,” he said.
He noted that “the Saudi crown prince met with world leaders such as US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande, who could take decisive actions to find solutions to problems gripping the region.”
Saleh Al-Sultan, a former university economics professor who heads his own consulting firm, also expressed hope that Prince Mohammed’s trip would result in solutions to problems in the region.
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif’s trip could not have come at a more opportune time. Raging conflicts beset the region and solutions are expected on the heels of his trip to New York,” he said. Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan, a well-known TV host and Islamic scholar, added that ”I’m keeping my fingers crossed regarding the results of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif’s trip to New York. “He doesn’t talk much but when he does, it’s with substance. That’s why he commands respect. If he seeks solutions to problems, he’s listened to. That’s why I’m upbeat about his trip,” he said. He added that in going to New York for the UN General Assembly meeting and to hold talks with world leaders, “he has brought with him the good reputation and wisdom of his father, the late Prince Naif,” he said.