GCC Welcomes Joint Saudi-US Initiative on Sudan Preliminary Talks

Sudanese Army soldiers walk near tanks stationed on a street in southern Khartoum, on May 6, 2023, amid ongoing fighting against the Rapid Support Forces. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese Army soldiers walk near tanks stationed on a street in southern Khartoum, on May 6, 2023, amid ongoing fighting against the Rapid Support Forces. (Photo by AFP)
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GCC Welcomes Joint Saudi-US Initiative on Sudan Preliminary Talks

Sudanese Army soldiers walk near tanks stationed on a street in southern Khartoum, on May 6, 2023, amid ongoing fighting against the Rapid Support Forces. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese Army soldiers walk near tanks stationed on a street in southern Khartoum, on May 6, 2023, amid ongoing fighting against the Rapid Support Forces. (Photo by AFP)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Saturday the joint initiative of Saudi Arabia and the United States to start preliminary talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and members of the Rapid Support Forces held in Jeddah.

The talks aimed to pave the way for dialogue and reduce the level of tension in a way that guarantees the security and stability of Sudan and its people, and contribute to facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Secretary General expressed hope that the initial talks would contribute to reaching a comprehensive peaceful solution that would protect Sudan’s unity and institutions and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, peace, political stability and development.

The Secretary General affirmed that GCC members are countries that support peace and always seek, through their well-established and extended diplomatic relations, to maintain regional and global peace and security.



Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
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Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed on Wednesday the regional escalations and their impact on regional and global security during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders addressed the implications of rising tensions, including their impact on global markets, international maritime security, the world economy, and supply chains. They exchanged views on the broader consequences of the current escalation.

The two sides also addressed the ongoing Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates and several countries in the region, including strikes on civilians, critical facilities, and infrastructure. They stressed that such actions represent a breach of national sovereignty and international law and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability.

On Wednesday, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran on its territories.

It added that a total of 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2,012 drones have been intercepted since the start of these attacks on February 28.

The attacks killed two armed forces personnel and 10 civilians of various nationalities, and injured 190 others. The ministry said it remains on high alert and ready to respond decisively to any threats to national security, sovereignty, and stability.


Saudi Foreign Minister, UN Secretary-General Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, UN Secretary-General Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, received a phone call on Wednesday from Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, where discussions focused on the latest developments in the region and the ongoing international efforts to address the situation.

Iran continues to carry out hostile attacks against Gulf countries and the wider region since February 28, in response to US and Israeli strikes. These actions have drawn widespread international condemnation along with expressions of solidarity with the affected countries.

On March 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution strongly condemning Iran’s continued attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan, describing them as violations of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.

Security Council Resolution No. 2817, which was approved by 136 countries, affirmed the right of affected states to individual or collective self-defense, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and called on Tehran to immediately cease all attacks.


Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
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Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.