UAE’s Gargash Says Israel Statements on Longer Term Presence in Gaza Worrying

Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 18, 2023. (Reuters)
Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 18, 2023. (Reuters)
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UAE’s Gargash Says Israel Statements on Longer Term Presence in Gaza Worrying

Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 18, 2023. (Reuters)
Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 18, 2023. (Reuters)

A top foreign policy adviser to the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Saturday that statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a longer term presence in Gaza were worrying.

"We hear now from the Israeli prime minister and indeed the Israeli president about the sort of longer term Israeli connection to Gaza. They are very worrying," Dr. Anwar Gargash said at the IISS Manama Security summit in Bahrain.

"This indicates that perhaps the lesson that we as the majority of people in region are taking away from the Gaza crisis which is the need to go back to the two-state solution, we need to go back to an Israeli and Palestinian state living side by side. That lesson has perhaps not been the same."



Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support for Efforts to Achieve Global Peace and Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support for Efforts to Achieve Global Peace and Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s firm stance on regional developments and its continued support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing the foundations of global peace and stability.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the message received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh covering bilateral relations.

He informed the ministers of his consultations and discussions with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Czech PM Andrej Babis and Bangladesh’s PM Tarique Rahman.

The Crown Prince expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for their efforts during the GCC Consultative Summit that was held in Jeddah earlier on Tuesday, saying it reflected the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening communication, consultation, and joint action to achieve regional security and stability.

The Cabinet reviewed the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in the region and their security and economic repercussions.

It discussed several reports related to domestic affairs and the various achievements realized under Saudi Vision 2030. The achievements support the development process and establish a more diversified and resilient economic model by increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors, expanding the production and investment base, launching specialized national programs and strategies to utilize resources and wealth, and enhancing the ability to adapt to global changes.

The Cabinet commended the achievements of Vision 2030 across its first and second phases as it nears its objectives in reaching its overarching goals. The percentage of indicators that achieved their annual targets reached 93% of the key performance indicators, driven by structural, economic, financial, and legislative reforms that contributed to empowering sectors, attracting investments, improving the quality of life, and consolidating the Kingdom's global standing and competitiveness.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to sustain this impact in the third phase, accelerating the pace of work, and ensuring continued progress and prosperity.

It commended government entities for their remarkable progress in the 2026 Emerging Technologies Adoption Readiness Index, highlighting their continued provision of innovative services that enhanced digital integration, increased productivity, and expedited completion while maintaining leadership in international rankings and indicators.


Saudi Crown Prince Chairs GCC Consultative Summit on Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Chairs GCC Consultative Summit on Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired on Tuesday the extraordinary GCC Consultative Summit in Jeddah, bringing together leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. 

The summit addressed regional and international developments and ways to coordinate efforts in this regard. 

The gatherers discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts, starting with the Pakistani mediation between the US and Iran, aimed at containing the regional crisis and paving the way for negotiations that would restore calm and avert more escalation. 

They underlined the importance of unifying Gulf stances and bolstering joint coordination between Gulf countries to support collective security and protect their economies. 

The meeting was attended by Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other Gulf leaders and officials. 


Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected the readiness of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, reviewing the level of services provided to pilgrims at their residences, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The tour included hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations across Makkah. He assessed operational procedures, facility preparedness, and the services offered to pilgrims. This contributes to boosting service quality within accommodation facilities.

During the tour, Al-Khateeb met with trained tourism personnel serving pilgrims and reviewed their readiness and role in delivering services. This reflects the impact of the ministry’s training and qualification programs aimed at empowering national talent in the tourism sector.

He visited the Ministry of Tourism branch in the Makkah Region. The branch supports the ministry’s year-round field presence, brings services closer to investors and operators, and strengthens monitoring and oversight of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during the Hajj season.

At the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, Al-Khateeb met with investors and operators of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations. They discussed the sector’s readiness for the Hajj, explored ways to improve service quality for pilgrims, and enhanced coordination and integration across all aspects of pilgrim accommodation services.

He stressed to investors and operators the importance of providing a hospitality experience that enriches pilgrims' journey to the Grand Mosque. He underlined the need to fulfill the national responsibility of caring for pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals in comfort and peace.

The minister announced the achievement of the target to increase bed capacity in Makkah’s hospitality sector.

He underscored the success of the ministry’s initiatives, including the launch of the “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service for pilgrims and expanded hospitality capacity in Makkah.

This year, the Ministry of Tourism assumed full responsibility for overseeing the pilgrim accommodation sector in Makkah. The “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service contributed to adding more than 566,000 beds to the pilgrim hospitality sector in Makkah through a structured framework and clear standards that enhance service quality and diversify accommodation options for pilgrims.