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Saudi Arabia Hosts Islamic Military Coalition, Announces $26.6 Mn to Support Initiatives

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Hosts Islamic Military Coalition, Announces $26.6 Mn to Support Initiatives

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will contribute $26.6 million to support initiatives financing the fund of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), announced Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Saturday.
Prince Khalid, who also serves as chairman of the coalition’s Council of Defense Ministers, also declared that the Kingdom would support 46 training programs as part of the Coalition's four ideological domains, including its media, military, and anti-terrorism financing fields.
The announcement came within the Minister's address at the second meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the IMCTC member states in Riyadh under the theme "Combating Terrorism: A Shared Responsibility."
The Minister inaugurated the second meeting of the Council, stressing that the presence of the defense ministers of the Islamic Alliance is only an extension of the first meeting that was held earlier.
He reiterated the role of the message of Islamic religion in combating extremism and terrorism to achieve global security and peace.
Prince Khalid pointed out that the aspirations of the IMCTC require concerted efforts, in addition to integration, cooperation, and partnership between member states, various countries of the world, and international bodies.
- Condemning the Israeli aggression
Prince Khalid stressed that the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people requires a unified stance by the member states of the Coalition to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
He asserted the need to stop this aggression immediately following the decisions of the extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023.
During the meeting, IMCTC Sec-Gen Major General Pilot Staff Mohammed al-Moghedi gave a briefing on the methodology of the Coalition, followed by a presentation of the initiatives of donor countries and supporting countries.
Moghedi announced the final statement, in which the member states expressed their support for the emphasis conveyed in the speech of the Saudi Defense Minister on the importance of a unified stance among member states in condemning the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The defense ministers emphasized their countries' determination to enhance cooperation, coordinate efforts, and unite them to avert terrorism risks.
They stressed the importance of joint collective action to confront all forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism.
They also expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved in the Coalition's journey, confirming their commitment to fight terrorism and eliminate it through organized collective action and comprehensive planning.
- Multiple initiatives
The defense ministers reviewed the alliance's 2023 annual report and its operational and financial performance report.
Saudi Arabia's operational expenses of the Coalition exceeded more than $266 million.
The defense ministers were briefed on the Coalition's methodology and the initiatives it encompasses, designed based on the needs of the member states.
The final statement recognized the importance of activating the initiatives aimed at combating terrorism in its various aspects.
The attendees agreed to launch a fund for financing the Coalition's initiatives, which is dedicated to receiving financial contributions from the member states, supporting countries, and international bodies and organizations.
They also welcomed countries desiring to join the Coalition in the future.
Coalition Advisor Major General Abdullah al-Qahtani confirmed that the meeting is crucial, whether at the level of its representation or outcomes.
Qahtani reiterated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the most essential element is the Coalition's determination to combat terrorism worldwide.
- Bilateral meetings
On the sidelines of the conference, the Saudi Defense Minister held bilateral meetings with several defense ministers from Islamic countries.
Prince Khalid received Kuwait's Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah, and the accompanying delegation.
He also met with Libya's Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibe.
The Saudi Minister also held bilateral meetings with Djibouti's Minister of Defense in charge of relations with Parliament Hassan Omar Mohamed Burhan, Sudan's Minister of Defense Major General Yassin Ibrahim Abdel-Hadi, and Mauritania's Minister of Defense Hanana Ould Sidi,
They reviewed the meeting's agenda topics, defense and military cooperation, and several issues of common interest.

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Gulf

GCC Sec-Gen, Egyptian FM Reaffirm Strength of GCC-Egyptian Relations

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC Sec-Gen, Egyptian FM Reaffirm Strength of GCC-Egyptian Relations

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty in the city of El Alamein, Egypt.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics of mutual concern and explored ways to strengthen relations between the GCC states and Egypt across various fields, serving desired goals and shared interests.

Both sides reviewed the latest developments regarding the Joint Action Plan between the GCC and Egypt for the period (2024–2028), as well as the outcomes of the inaugural edition of the GCC-Egyptian Investment Forum held recently, SPA reported.

Moreover, the officials also explored several proposals to further bolster GCC-Egyptian ties for the benefit of both peoples.

The two officials underscored the importance of backing all regional and international efforts aimed at cementing security and stability, stressing that all outstanding disputes must be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means, as well as constructive dialogue among all parties involved.

Albudaiwi reiterated his thanks and appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt for its support to the GCC states against Iranian attacks.

The Egyptian minister reaffirmed Egypt's solidarity with the GCC states and its rejection of any aggression against their territories, emphasizing that the security of the GCC states is an integral part of Egyptian national security.

Gulf

Bahrain Issues Prison Sentences for 8 Convicted of Terrorism Charges

The Public Prosecution stressed its continued efforts to pursue crimes linked to terrorist groups and to take all necessary legal measures against anyone proven to have been involved in joining them. (Bahrain's Public Prosecution)
The Public Prosecution stressed its continued efforts to pursue crimes linked to terrorist groups and to take all necessary legal measures against anyone proven to have been involved in joining them. (Bahrain's Public Prosecution)
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Bahrain Issues Prison Sentences for 8 Convicted of Terrorism Charges

The Public Prosecution stressed its continued efforts to pursue crimes linked to terrorist groups and to take all necessary legal measures against anyone proven to have been involved in joining them. (Bahrain's Public Prosecution)
The Public Prosecution stressed its continued efforts to pursue crimes linked to terrorist groups and to take all necessary legal measures against anyone proven to have been involved in joining them. (Bahrain's Public Prosecution)

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court issued on Tuesday rulings in two separate cases, convicting three defendants of joining a terrorist group and working for it to carry out hostile and terrorist acts against the kingdom and harm its interests.

The court sentenced all three defendants to 15 years in prison, fined two of them BD2,000 each, and ordered the confiscation of the seized items, a statement by the Deputy Chief Prosecutor for Terrorism Crimes said according to Bahrain’s state news agency BNA.

An investigations established that the defendants had joined a terrorist group seeking to carry out plans targeting Bahrain with the aim of disrupting public order and undermining national security and safety by committing acts intended to harm individuals, spread fear among them, and prevent state institutions and public authorities from carrying out their duties.

The investigations revealed that the defendants had been assigned to carry out various terrorist tasks within Bahrain, as well as to transfer, receive and deliver funds designated to support and finance terrorist elements affiliated with the group.

The defendants admitted to the charges brought against them.

The Public Prosecution stressed its continued efforts to pursue crimes linked to terrorist groups and to take all necessary legal measures against anyone proven to have been involved in joining them.

In another case, the High Criminal Court issued rulings in three separate cases involving individuals who supported and endorsed Iranian terrorist attacks against Bahrain.

The court sentenced three defendants to prison terms of up to 10 years, fined some of them up to BD5,000, and ordered the confiscation of the seized items.

The cases arose from reports received by the Public Prosecution from the relevant security authorities concerning the monitoring of social media accounts containing content supporting and endorsing Iranian terrorist attacks targeting Bahrain, in addition to the publication of information and images of vital sites where photography and filming are prohibited.

Investigations led to the identification of those operating the accounts. The Public Prosecution subsequently conducted its investigations, confirming that the defendants had committed the offences with which they were charged.

The Public Prosecution stressed that cyberspace, and the content published or circulated through it, is subject to the law and regulations established to protect community security and interests.

It urged users of platforms to exercise responsibility when publishing or circulating content and to refrain from contributing to the dissemination or circulation of prohibited materials and information that could harm the kingdom's security or community safety.

In a third case, the High Criminal Court convicted two defendants of spying for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated as a terrorist organization, and persons acting on its behalf, in order to assist in its hostile and terrorist activities against Bahrain and harm its interests.

The court sentenced both defendants to life imprisonment and ordered the confiscation of the seized items.

The Public Prosecution had received a report from the Anti-Cybercrime Directorate concerning the monitoring of a social media account containing statements supporting and endorsing Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the kingdom.

Investigations led to the identification and arrest of the person operating the account, who admitted to managing it and communicating with a defendant who had fled the country, providing him with coordinates and locations within Bahrain.

The Public Prosecution immediately opened an investigation into the report, questioning the defendant present in Bahrain, who admitted to the charges brought against him.

It said that safeguarding the kingdom's security and national interests requires confronting all forms of unlawful cooperation or communication with hostile entities. It stressed that it will continue to exercise its legal mandate in pursuing those who commit such crimes, ensuring the application of the law and accountability for anyone proven to have committed acts that could undermine Bahrain’s security or harm its interests.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Discuss De-Escalation Efforts, Security of Waterways

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Discuss De-Escalation Efforts, Security of Waterways

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Tuesday with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on regional developments.

They discussed cooperation between their countries, as well as diplomatic efforts aimed at easing the escalation in the region that ensures the security and freedom of navigation in waterways in the Gulf and Red Sea.