Qatar PM: Challenges to Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal are 'Just Logistical'

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
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Qatar PM: Challenges to Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal are 'Just Logistical'

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA

Qatar's prime minister said on Sunday the main sticking points blocking a deal for the release of dozens of hostages taken by Palestinian group Hamas in their Oct. 7 attack on Israel were now "very minor" and mainly practical and logistical issues.
"The challenges facing the agreement are just practical and logistical," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said at a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Doha.
"The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks. But I think that you know I'm now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal that can bring the people safely back to their home."
Borrell said the UN security Council resolution on humanitarian pauses in Gaza must be implemented.

"The decisions of the Security Council are not just words ... They have to be implemented," Borrell said at the joint press conference.



Saudi FM Meets with Singaporean Counterpart, Signs MoU to Establish Strategic Partnership Council

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
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Saudi FM Meets with Singaporean Counterpart, Signs MoU to Establish Strategic Partnership Council

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday with Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.

The two officials reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance them in various fields to achieve the aspirations of the two leaderships and their peoples.

Following the meeting, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Strategic Partnership Council between the two countries. This reflects the commitment of both the Kingdom and Singapore to advance their relations across multiple domains, and aims to increase the volume of trade exchange, which reached $1 billion in 2024, thereby opening new horizons for cooperation between the two nations.

The meeting concluded with a press briefing delivered by Prince Faisal, during which he highlighted that the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Council represents a valuable opportunity to enhance cooperation and partnership across various sectors, particularly within the framework of initiatives linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Prince Faisal also emphasized that Singapore is one of the world’s most important financial hubs and that the Kingdom looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Singapore to achieve broader economic benefits.