Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent on Wednesday a cable of condolences to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid over victims of a fire that broke out in a wedding hall in Nineveh.

He extended his deepest condolences and sincerest sympathy to the Iraqi president, families of the deceased, and the brotherly people of Iraq, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Rashid a similar cable.

A fire ripped through a packed wedding hall in northern Iraq late on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people.

Fire fighters searched the charred remains of the building in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, through Wednesday morning and bereaved relatives gathered outside a morgue in the nearby city of Mosul.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.