Gulf Countries Mourn Passing of Emir of Kuwait

Kuwait's national flags are lowered to the half-mast position outside the landmark Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City on December 16, 2023, as the Gulf country mourns the death of its leader the late emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah. (AFP)
Kuwait's national flags are lowered to the half-mast position outside the landmark Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City on December 16, 2023, as the Gulf country mourns the death of its leader the late emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah. (AFP)
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Gulf Countries Mourn Passing of Emir of Kuwait

Kuwait's national flags are lowered to the half-mast position outside the landmark Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City on December 16, 2023, as the Gulf country mourns the death of its leader the late emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah. (AFP)
Kuwait's national flags are lowered to the half-mast position outside the landmark Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City on December 16, 2023, as the Gulf country mourns the death of its leader the late emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah. (AFP)

Gulf countries offered on Saturday their condolences to Kuwait over the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah.

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourned with great sadness and sorrow Sheikh Nawaf’s passing, reported the state news agency WAM.

At the directives of Sheikh Mohamed, the UAE will observe a three-day state mourning with the flag flown at half-mast at all official departments, embassies, and UAE's diplomatic missions outside the country, said a statement from the Presidential Court.

Qatar mourned Sheikh Nawaf’s passing with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani offering his condolences to Kuwait’s royal family and people.

In a statement, he said the Arab and Islamic nations “lost a wise leader, whose policies were dedicated to his country and people and consolidating Gulf relations.”

He also “championed issues vital to his Arab and Islamic nations and supported security stability and peace in the region and world,” he added.

Sheikh Tamim also ordered three days of state mourning in Qatar.



French President to Visit Saudi Arabia in December

France's President Emmanuel Macron holds the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise (Dictionary of the French Academy), which is the official dictionary of the French language during the solemn session of presentation, in Paris on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron holds the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise (Dictionary of the French Academy), which is the official dictionary of the French language during the solemn session of presentation, in Paris on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
TT

French President to Visit Saudi Arabia in December

France's President Emmanuel Macron holds the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise (Dictionary of the French Academy), which is the official dictionary of the French language during the solemn session of presentation, in Paris on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron holds the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise (Dictionary of the French Academy), which is the official dictionary of the French language during the solemn session of presentation, in Paris on November 14, 2024. (AFP)

The Elysee Palace announced on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron will carry out a state visit to Saudi Arabia in early December at the invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The visit, between December 2 and 4, will be an opportunity for both sides to bolster the partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, said the Elysee.

Crown Prince Mohammed and Macron held telephone talks on Thursday to discuss regional developments and efforts to restore security and stability.

They also discussed bilateral affairs and cooperation in several fields, said official sources.

A Saudi official delegation, including the ministers of foreign affairs, culture and investment, is currently in Paris to participate in the meeting of the joint Saudi-French committee to develop the AlUla province.

Advisor to the French President for the Middle East and North Africa Anne-Claire Legendre was in Riyadh this month for talks on the Middle East and bilateral relations.

Crown Prince Mohammed had visited France in June 2023 to bolster bilateral ties and to hold talks on “challenges to regional instability,” as well as international affairs, such as the war on Ukraine and its impact on the world.

Macron, for his part, has visited Saudi Arabia in 2017, 2018 and 2021.

French sources hailed the relations between France and the Kingdom, underscoring the latter’s role on regional, Arab and international levels, highlighting Riyadh's hosting this week of the Arab-Islamic summit.

They said Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon, regional tensions, and the security of the Gulf will be discussed by Crown Prince Mohammed and Macron.