عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

UAE Says Mediation Efforts Led to Russia, Ukraine Swap of Prisoners

Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
TT
TT

UAE Says Mediation Efforts Led to Russia, Ukraine Swap of Prisoners

Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)

The United Arab Emirates said it succeeded in mediating the release of 100 Russian prisoners of war in exchange for 100 war prisoners from the Ukrainian side.
Russia's Defense Ministry, in a post on the Telegram messaging app, noted the UAE's "humanitarian mediation", as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian body overseeing exchanges of POWs.
The UAE's foreign ministry said it is the third mediation effort between Russia and Ukraine this year adding that it is calling for diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation, state news agency WAM reported.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Arabia: Operational Activities Halted at Several Energy Facilities Due to Recent Attacks

The continuation of such attacks leads to reduced supply and slows recovery, the official source at the Ministry of Energy said. (Saudi Aramco)
The continuation of such attacks leads to reduced supply and slows recovery, the official source at the Ministry of Energy said. (Saudi Aramco)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia: Operational Activities Halted at Several Energy Facilities Due to Recent Attacks

The continuation of such attacks leads to reduced supply and slows recovery, the official source at the Ministry of Energy said. (Saudi Aramco)
The continuation of such attacks leads to reduced supply and slows recovery, the official source at the Ministry of Energy said. (Saudi Aramco)

An official source at the Ministry of Energy stated that important energy facilities in the Kingdom have recently been subjected to multiple attacks, including oil and gas production, transportation, and refining facilities, as well as petrochemical facilities and the electricity sector in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City.

The attacks resulted in the death of one Saudi national from the industrial security personnel of the Saudi energy company, and the injury of seven other Saudis from the company’s personnel, in addition to the disruption of a number of operational activities at key facilities within the energy sector.

The attacks included one of the pumping stations on the East-West Pipeline, leading to a loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day in throughput. The pipeline is considered the main route for supplying global markets at this stage.

The Manifa production facility was also targeted, resulting in a reduction of approximately 300,000 barrels per day from its production capacity.

Additionally, the Khurais facility had previously been targeted, leading to a reduction of 300,000 barrels per day from its production capacity, bringing the total reduction in the Kingdom’s production capacity to approximately 600,000 barrels per day.

The attacks also extended to major refining facilities, including SATORP in Jubail, Ras Tanura refinery, SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, and Riyadh refinery, directly affecting exports of refined products to global markets.

Processing facilities in Ju’aymah were also affected by fires, impacting exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids.

The continuation of such attacks leads to reduced supply and slows recovery, affecting the security of supply for consuming countries and contributing to increased volatility in oil markets, the source said.

This has already negatively impacted the global economy, particularly with the depletion of a significant portion of operational and emergency inventories, which has affected the availability of supplies and limited the ability to respond to this supply shortfall, the source added.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with US, Spanish Counterparts

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 17, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 17, 2023. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with US, Spanish Counterparts

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 17, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 17, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Abdullah held separate phone talks on Thursday with his US and Spanish counterparts, focusing on the latest developments in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

During his call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the two officials discussed the latest regional developments in light of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, as well as recent developments in Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address them.

With his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, the Saudi minister reviewed regional developments and their impact on security and stability, along with ongoing efforts to address them.

Gulf

Qatar Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon, Offers Support

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (QNA).
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (QNA).
TT
TT

Qatar Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon, Offers Support

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (QNA).
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (QNA).

Qatar condemns the Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon, affirmed Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during which he expressed his rejection of any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

During the call, the emir and the Lebanese president reviewed developments in Lebanon, particularly in light of the current escalation and its impact on the country’s security and stability, as well as the wider region.

The Qatar News Agency said Sheikh Tamim “condemned the Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon, stressing his rejection of any violation of its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”

They also discussed regional and international efforts to contain the escalation. The emir reiterated Qatar’s firm support for Lebanon and its people, underscoring Doha’s readiness to provide assistance and contribute to efforts aimed at advancing de-escalation and stability.

Maritime Security

Separately, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, stressing the need to build on it urgently to prevent a broader escalation in the region.

In a phone call on Thursday with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, the Qatari prime minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of maritime routes and safeguarding freedom of navigation and international trade in accordance with international law, in a way that supports regional stability and global supply chains.

The two sides also reviewed the latest regional developments following the ceasefire announcement between the United States and Iran, along with a number of issues of mutual interest.