During His Majesty the King’s visit to Lebanon, the dispute between Syria and Turkey—arising from Turkish troop concentrations along Syria’s northern border—had reached its peak. The political situation had become so strained that it threatened the gravest consequences. In the face of this, His Majesty—ever committed to spreading peace and fostering trust and reassurance among nations—found it necessary to offer his good offices and undertake mediation between the two neighboring states, in order to remove the causes of disagreement and clear the international atmosphere so that matters might return to normal.
Thus, His Majesty graciously offered his mediation to the two disputing states, and an official statement was issued upon his return from Lebanon to Dammam. His purpose in undertaking this mediation was, above all, to serve the interests of Syria, of Arab unity, and of peace for the benefit of the entire world. The following are the statements issued regarding this noble mediation:
Statement by the General Directorate of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication
Out of a desire to unify ranks, spread confidence and reassurance, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and neighborliness between Syria and Turkey, His Majesty the King offered his mediation between the two sister and neighboring states to clear the atmosphere and remove the anxiety and doubts affecting their relations of friendship and fraternity. Both governments accepted this mediation, and it was decided that within the next two days an official Turkish delegation headed by the Minister of Information, and a Syrian delegation, would arrive in Dammam to meet with His Majesty the King for this purpose.
The General Directorate of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication, in conveying this happy news to all Arabs and Muslims across the world, hopes that the sincere and commendable efforts undertaken by His Majesty the King to bring the two sister nations closer together will be crowned with success, and will contribute to establishing peace, calm, and stability in this important part of the world.
Second Statement by the General Directorate of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication
Some Arab radio stations broadcast the following yesterday:
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement denying what the BBC had reported—that Syria had informed King Saud of its approval of his mediation in the dispute with Turkey.
This is what some Arab stations broadcast today regarding the Syrian communiqué. The General Directorate expresses its astonishment at these reports, and affirms that the response of the President of Syria to the memorandum delivered to him by His Majesty’s ambassador in Damascus—conveying the King’s offer to mediate between Syria and Turkey to remove misunderstandings—ended with the following clear and explicit words from His Majesty:
“If you believe that I can undertake any action that would spare the Arab nation this catastrophe, I am fully prepared to do all that I can in this regard.”
The Syrian reply stated verbatim:
“While we are confident that matters will ultimately proceed in the direction of right and justice, we have received with great satisfaction your efforts to persuade Turkey to avoid actions that may lead to disasters whose extent only God knows.”
Following receipt of this Syrian memorandum, His Majesty’s ambassador in Damascus telegraphed that he had also been informed verbally that the Syrian Cabinet had convened to select the head of the Syrian delegation for this mission. Based on all this, the General Directorate issued its earlier statement. Yet today, radio stations broadcast the Syrian Foreign Ministry’s denial of everything mentioned in that statement.
The General Directorate, after clarifying these details, notes that if the Syrian government has now reversed its earlier written acceptance of His Majesty’s mediation, that is its own decision. As for the Turkish government, it has already appointed its official delegation headed by the Minister of Information. The Saudi government therefore considers that His Majesty the King has fulfilled all that friendship and brotherhood require in seeking to promote goodwill, trust, and good neighborliness between the two sides in this unfortunate dispute. Whoever accepts this mediation will find His Majesty sincere and earnest in his efforts; whoever chooses otherwise is free to do so. Success is only from God.
Joint Statement Broadcast Yesterday Evening
At dawn today, Wednesday 29/3/1377 AH (23 October 1957), a Turkish delegation headed by His Excellency Mr. Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, Minister of State, arrived at Dhahran Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in response to an invitation from His Majesty King Saud to conduct mediation talks regarding Turkish–Syrian relations.
The delegation was received with appropriate honor by a group including His Excellency Jamal al‑Husseini, Adviser to His Majesty; Mr. Saud bin Dughaythir, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair, Secretary to His Majesty and Director‑General of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication; Major General Ali Jamil, Chief of Royal Protocol; Colonel Muhammad al‑Mutlaq, Commander of the Dhahran Garrison; and senior airport officials.
After resting at the airport hotel, the delegation proceeded at 8:30 a.m. (GMT) to Dammam, where they were received by His Majesty King Saud, who welcomed them warmly. After refreshments, they moved to the meeting hall, where a session lasting three and a half hours was held. In addition to the delegation, His Excellency Jamal al‑Husseini attended.
The talks proceeded in an atmosphere filled with cordiality, brotherhood, and optimism. As His Majesty had a prior engagement—a dinner hosted by the Arabian American Oil Company in Dhahran—a luncheon was held for the Turkish delegation at the palace, attended by princes, ministers, and senior officials present in Dammam. His Majesty will hold another session with the Turkish delegation tomorrow morning. May God grant success to all.
Second Joint Statement
At exactly 9:00 a.m. (GMT) on Thursday 1/4/77 AH (24 October 1957), His Excellency Mr. Fatin Rüştü Zorlu appeared before His Majesty King Saud for the second time. His Majesty held an extended discussion with the Turkish minister, attended by His Excellency Jamal al‑Husseini and the Turkish Minister Plenipotentiary (Karahisar).
The talks addressed the crisis between Turkey and Syria and Turkey’s acceptance of His Majesty’s mediation. Mr. Zorlu, speaking on behalf of his government, reaffirmed what had been stated in the Turkish Prime Minister’s declaration of 24 September 1957—that Turkey harbors sincere goodwill and a firm desire to preserve Syria’s independence, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty. He stressed that Turkey has no intention whatsoever of pursuing an aggressive policy toward any of its neighbors, especially Syria.
Although Turkey had expressed concern over recent developments, it accepted His Majesty’s mediation out of recognition of the goodwill that motivated him. This Turkish initiative was warmly appreciated by King Saud. Mr. Zorlu declared that Turkey was ready to cooperate fully with His Majesty’s efforts to resolve the issue between the two neighboring states.
His Majesty affirmed that during his mediation he would remain in constant contact with the President and Prime Minister of Turkey, and expressed his hope that the doubts and fears between the two sides would be dispelled through his good offices and through cooperation with both governments.
The talks took place in an atmosphere of sincere desire to resolve the issue in a manner that preserves the interests and dignity of both parties. God grants success.
Official Comment on Al‑Ahram’s Article: “The Real Secrets Behind King Saud’s Mediation”
A government spokesman commented on the article published by Al‑Ahram under the title “The Real Secrets Behind King Saud’s Mediation” and on why Syria rejected the King’s mediation:
The article contained false and baseless claims that clearly revealed ill intent. It alleged that His Majesty summoned President al‑Quwatli to meet him in Beirut and that he summoned King Hussein from Amman—both claims are entirely fabricated. It also claimed that King Saud extended his stay in Beirut for this reason—another falsehood.
The article further asserted that the idea of mediation between Turkey and Syria originated from a request by the U.S. State Department. This is a slander that cannot go unanswered. His Majesty’s policy has always stemmed from purely Arab interests, uninfluenced by any foreign party. His Majesty formulates his political decisions based on the interests of the Arab world in general and his own country in particular, and does not accept suggestions or interference from anyone other than the Arab parties concerned.
His Majesty undertook the mediation only after observing the gravity of the situation and after consulting the Syrian government regarding sending a representative to Dammam. Some Syrian officials even suggested that the acting Foreign Minister himself should attend. Later, however, they issued their well‑known statement rejecting the mediation while accepting only “good offices.”
Al‑Ahram’s description of this noble mediation—welcomed by much of the world as a means of averting grave dangers—as a conspiracy or plot with ulterior motives is itself evidence of the malicious intent of those who wrote it, seeking to sow discord among Arab states and push the disputing parties toward despair and confrontation, the consequences of which only God knows.
Departure of the Turkish Delegation
At 2:30 a.m. Dhahran time yesterday, Friday, the Turkish delegation headed by His Excellency Mr. Fatin Rüştü Zorlu departed Dhahran Airport for their homeland, receiving the same warm farewell with which they had been welcomed.
His Majesty Remains Committed to His Mediation
The General Directorate of Broadcasting, Press, and Publication announced:
Conflicting reports have circulated regarding His Majesty’s position on his blessed efforts between Syria and Turkey. His Majesty remains steadfast in his commitment to mediation, which continues as accepted by both parties, in pursuit of general peace in the Middle East.
Source: Adwa’ ‘ala al‑Mamlakah al‑‘Arabiyyah al‑Sa‘udiyyah (1377 AH), by Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair