European and Arab foreign ministers have met in the Saudi capital to discuss how to join forces on advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, AFP reports.

“If we want to move this two-state solution forward it will not happen from the parties. I do not believe that Israel is ready to negotiate at this point, and I do not think that the US is ready to take the necessary leadership,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, one of the organisers of the meeting, told reporters after it concluded.

“So I think an Arab-European leadership is the best we can hope for,” Espen Barth Eide said.

“The continued rejection of the two-state solution will inevitably undermine the security and stability of the region,” Prince Faisal said at the start of the European-Arab meeting, which was also attended by Turkey’s foreign minister.