GCC, OIC Condemn Suicide Bombing in Bajaur, Pakistan

Relatives gather inside a ward of bomb blast victims at a hospital in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
Relatives gather inside a ward of bomb blast victims at a hospital in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
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GCC, OIC Condemn Suicide Bombing in Bajaur, Pakistan

Relatives gather inside a ward of bomb blast victims at a hospital in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
Relatives gather inside a ward of bomb blast victims at a hospital in Bajaur district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the suicide bombing in Bajaur, northwest Pakistan, which killed more than 40 and injured over 100 people.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi said in a statement: "The GCC rejects all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability, and are inconsistent with human values and principles”, SPA said.
OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha also strongly condemned this "heinous crime" and reaffirmed the OIC’s stand in solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which works to combat extremism and terrorism.
Both offered condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished speedy recovery to the injured.



Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.