Bahrain, Qatar to Reconsider Maritime Bridge Project

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
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Bahrain, Qatar to Reconsider Maritime Bridge Project

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)
Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (BNA)

Bahrain’s monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, engaged in a phone call conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was received by King Hamad on the same day.

Concurrently, Bahrain announced that Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa discussed the ambitious Qatar-Bahrain Causeway project in his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

This visionary project, conceived since 2009, spans approximately 40 kilometers, connecting the Bahraini island to the Qatari peninsula.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Crown Prince Salman and Sheikh Mohammed “discussed the project and directed the relevant authorities of both countries to finalize plans and commence project implementation.”

On March 13, Bahrain and Qatar decided to resume diplomatic relations after a two-year reconciliation period in the Gulf.

The decision to reestablish diplomatic ties was made during a meeting of the bilateral follow-up committee at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh.

Both countries expressed that this step was taken “with the mutual desire to develop bilateral relations, enhance integration, and strengthen Gulf unity.”

During the phone call between Bahrain’s monarch and the Emir of Qatar on Friday, the leaders addressed “the fraternal relations between the two sisterly countries and ways to enhance and strengthen them in various fields, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection and brotherhood shared between the two nations.”

They also affirmed “determination to move forward in developing aspects of bilateral cooperation that meet the aspirations of both peoples.”

BNA also reported that King Hamad highlighted, during his phone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

He also emphasized the fruitful discussions between Bahrain’s Crown Prince and the Qatari Prime Minister, aiming to propel further collaborative efforts between the two nations across all domains.

The monarch expressed optimism about broadening the scope of interconnection and cooperation, foreseeing mutual prosperity and growth for both countries and their people.
 



Saudi FM Holds Separate Talks with Jordanian, Turkish Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi FM Holds Separate Talks with Jordanian, Turkish Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi.

They discussed developments in the region and efforts made in this regard, SPA reported.

The Saudi FM also received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan.

During the call, they exchanged views on the latest regional developments.


Saudi Permanent Representative to Arab League Meets with Somali Counterpart

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Permanent Representative to Arab League Meets with Somali Counterpart

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

Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar met with Somalia's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ali Abdi Awari at the delegation’s headquarters in Cairo.

The meeting focused on reaffirming Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of preserving its stability and rejecting any attempts to impose parallel entities that undermine national unity, SPA reported.

The two sides also discussed issues of mutual interest within the framework of the Arab League.


Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

The Saudi leadership extended condolences on Sunday to King of Thailand over the victims of a crane accident that fell onto a train in northeastern Thailand killing tens and injuring several.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sent a cable to King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, offering his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased, and the Thai people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, sent a similar cable to the Thai king.

He extended his deepest condolences to the king, the families of the deceased, and the Thai people.