Qatar Says Israel Is Responsible for Escalation, Oman, Bahrain Call for Restraint

Smoke rises from an area near a power plant outside Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP)
Smoke rises from an area near a power plant outside Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP)
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Qatar Says Israel Is Responsible for Escalation, Oman, Bahrain Call for Restraint

Smoke rises from an area near a power plant outside Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP)
Smoke rises from an area near a power plant outside Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP)

Qatar's foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday saying that Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people.

It said Qatar calls on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and calls on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as an excuse to launch a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.  

Oman called on Israel and the Palestinians to exercise maximum self-restraint, the state news agency reported quoting an official statement.

The statement asked the international community and international parties to "intervene immediately to stop the ongoing escalation and resort to the rules of international law".

Bahrain called for self-restraint in the Gaza Strip, saying that continued fighting had negative consequences on the region's peace and stability.

It stressed "the need for de-escalation among all parties to preserve the lives of people" in a statement from the foreign ministry.

"The continuation of violence will impede efforts aiming at achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," it said, adding that it called upon the international community to help end the armed conflict and to protect civilians. 



Saudi Defense Minister, State Secretary to Sweden’s PM Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister, State Secretary to Sweden’s PM Meet in Riyadh

The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense met Thursday in Riyadh with the State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Thursday in Riyadh with State Secretary to the Prime Minister of Sweden Johan Stuart.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance and develop cooperation between both countries and addressed issues of mutual interest.