Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
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Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq will kick off on Sunday an official two-day visit to Iran, his first since ascending the throne in 2020.

He is set to meet with President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of senior officials.

The Sultan is traveling at the head of a large delegation that includes the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, economy and investment.

The visit is taking place amid a wave of regional reconciliations, the most recent of which was the reinstatement of Syria’s membership in the Arab League and the announcement in March that Saudi Arabia and Iran were reestablishing diplomatic ties.

Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the region is embarking on a new positive phase in regional relations.

Cooperation and consultations must be deepened in several files and issues to consolidate the new phase, which will no doubt be at the heart of discussions between the leaders, he remarked.

He noted that Oman and Iran enjoy historic fraternal relations based on firm principles of trust and mutual respect. The visit stems from the importance the leaderships of both countries place on cooperation and consultations on various regional and international issues.

“In Oman, we are hoping that this historic visit will reflect positively on the stability and security of the region and on relations between the region’s neighbors,” the FM stressed.

“We will work on ensuring that its outcomes will be felt on the regional and international levels,” he went on to say.



President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
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President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi issued a presidential decree on Tuesday nullifying the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the decision on the transfer of power, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the powers granted to it under the constitution, according to the Yemen News Agency (Saba).

Article Two of the decree mandates that all UAE forces and personnel withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, according to SPA.

Article Three instructs the Homeland Shield forces to assume control of all military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.


Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability.

The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas, SPA reported.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council.

It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."


Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Tuesday a written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin on bilateral ties between their countries.

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The officials reviewed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts exerted to address them.