NEOM — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a phone call on Monday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

During the phone call, both leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields.

They also vowed to support the efforts being exerted to ensure the success of the G20 Summit to be hosted this month by Saudi Arabia.

The two sides agreed on the need to confront all forms of extremism and terrorism.

King Salman affirmed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist operations committed recently in France and Austria.

He also stressed the Kingdom's condemnation of the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), adding that freedom of expression is a moral value that promotes respect and coexistence among people, 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.