Saudi-Kuwaiti Statement: Joint Emphasis on Red Sea Security, Stability

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
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Saudi-Kuwaiti Statement: Joint Emphasis on Red Sea Security, Stability

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad

Riyadh and Kuwait have stressed the need to preserve security and stability in the Red Sea region, respecting maritime navigation rights under international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Amid ongoing events in the region, both countries called for restraint and avoiding escalation.
In a joint statement following the Kuwaiti Emir’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two nations reiterated that the entire Dorra field belongs to Kuwait in its maritime areas.
They emphasized shared ownership exclusively between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for natural resources in the submerged area, rejecting any claims by other parties.
Both sides renewed calls for Iran to negotiate the eastern boundary of the submerged area with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait under international law.

They underlined Iraq’s commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and adherence to international agreements, especially UN Security Council Resolution 833 (1993), which outlined land and sea borders.
The importance of completing the maritime border demarcation beyond Milestone 162 was highlighted.
Additionally, both countries urged Iraq to adhere to the Maritime Navigation Regulation Agreement in Khawr Abdullah, signed in 2012.
They rejected Iraq’s unilateral cancellation of the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol and its map, part of the Joint Plan for navigation safety in Khawr Abdullah.
The joint statement also reiterated support for UN Security Council Resolution 2107 (2013), urging efforts to locate missing Kuwaitis and nationals of third countries.
It emphasized the importance of continuing the Security Council's monitoring of missing Kuwaiti properties and called for maximum efforts to reach a final resolution for all outstanding issues.
In regional discussions, both sides expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to Israeli attacks, impacting civilians and destroying vital facilities.
They called for an end to military operations in Palestinian territories, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians under international law.
Both sides urged the international community to stop Israeli violations and pressure Israel to cease aggression, preventing forced displacement of Palestinians.
They highlighted the need for international humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to Palestinians, including UN agencies.
The joint statement stressed intensified efforts for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, supporting a two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and relevant international resolutions.
In Yemen, both sides supported UN and regional efforts for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
Kuwait commended Saudi initiatives in promoting dialogue and delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen.
Regarding Sudan, both sides emphasized maintaining Sudan’s unity and independence, rejecting interference in its internal affairs.
They commended the Sudanese parties for commitment to end the conflict, welcoming outcomes from talks in Jeddah that facilitated increased humanitarian aid and paved the way for a permanent ceasefire.
In defense and security, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation, praising existing security collaboration.
They expressed a desire to strengthen joint efforts in combating crime, drug trafficking, ensuring border security, countering terrorism, and promoting a culture of moderation and tolerance for mutual security and stability.

 

 



Qatar PM Hopes Palestinian Authority Will Return to Gaza When War Ends

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
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Qatar PM Hopes Palestinian Authority Will Return to Gaza When War Ends

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)

Qatar's Prime Minister said in Davos on Tuesday he hoped the Palestinian Authority would return to play a governing role in Gaza once the war with Israel comes to an end.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland, two days after the ceasefire Qatar helped broker came into effect in Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani cautioned that Gazans -- and not any other country -- should dictate the way the enclave will be governed.

"We hope to see the PA back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that will really address the issues of the people over there. And there is a long way to go with Gaza and the destruction," he said.

How Gaza will be governed after the war was not directly addressed in the deal between Israel and Hamas movement that led to an immediate ceasefire and hostage releases after nearly 15 months of talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

Israel has rejected any governing role for Hamas, which ran Gaza before the war, but it has been almost equally opposed to rule by the Palestinian Authority, the body set up under the Oslo interim peace accords three decades ago that has limited governing power in the West Bank.

The PA, dominated by the Fatah faction created by former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, faces opposition from rival faction Hamas, which drove the PA out of Gaza in 2007 after a brief war.