Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, along with rising regional tensions, took center stage at the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, which began on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia urged countries to back the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key step toward resolving the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the ACD summit and highlighted how continued violence in the region is disrupting international trade and fueling political tensions, which threaten investments and economic cooperation.
“The continuation of aggression and violations in the region hinder the movement of international trade and increase political tensions that threaten the flow of investments and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and the world,” he said.
He called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
“We thank Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries for their support for the two-state solution and their recognition of the State of Palestine, and we urge the rest of the world to follow suit,” Prince Faisal said, reminding that the situation has prompted the Kingdom to work with “brothers and allies in establishing a Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution.”
He stressed that the current unrest in Palestine and Lebanon is a major barrier to economic and commercial development in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for resistance groups.
“The Zionist enemy will be punished, and we will keep supporting the resistance until Palestine is liberated,” said Pezeshkian.
Also speaking at the ACD summit, he emphasized: “Those who violate human rights must know that resistance is strong and cannot be eliminated.”
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s backing for Palestinian resistance.
After meeting with a Hamas delegation in Doha, Pezeshkian warned that Israel’s ongoing actions had led Iran’s military to deliver a decisive response.
“Israel couldn’t commit these crimes without backing from the US and Europe. If Israel makes any mistake against Iran, it will face a much stronger retaliation than Tuesday’s attack,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and warned of the consequences of not holding Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the summit, Sheikh Tamim said: “Qatar has long warned about the dangers of not addressing Israel’s crimes.”
He pointed to the escalating violence in Gaza, noting that true security can only be achieved through a just peace, which includes creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
He stressed that Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights.
“Israel’s relentless attacks on civilians in Gaza and other occupied areas have killed over 41,000 innocent people. What’s happening is genocide, and Gaza is being made uninhabitable to force its residents out,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of using international inaction to expand settlements in the West Bank and prepare for annexation.
“We believe in de-escalating tensions and respecting nations’ sovereignty,” he added, stressing that Israel is taking advantage of global silence to push its agenda in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also called for urgent international intervention to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
He warned that Israel’s attacks have destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“Peace cannot coexist with occupation, genocide, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Abbas reaffirmed at the ACD summit.



Kuwait Sentence 3 to Death for Collaborating with Iran, Plotting to Assassinate Interior Minister

Sheikh Hussein Abdullah Al-Matouq and Hassan Abdulhadi Hajieh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Hussein Abdullah Al-Matouq and Hassan Abdulhadi Hajieh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait Sentence 3 to Death for Collaborating with Iran, Plotting to Assassinate Interior Minister

Sheikh Hussein Abdullah Al-Matouq and Hassan Abdulhadi Hajieh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Hussein Abdullah Al-Matouq and Hassan Abdulhadi Hajieh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Kuwaiti Criminal Court, represented by the State Security Circuit, sentenced on Monday three defendants to death and eight others to five years in prison, in a case involving espionage for Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah, and plotting to assassinate the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf, along with other state figures.

The court, presided over by Counselor Nasser Al-Badr, convicted Sheikh Hussein Abdullah Al-Matouq, Hassan Abdulhadi Hajieh and Abdulreza Haidar Dehqani, an Iranian national, with harming Kuwait's national interests, spying for foreign entities, and joining the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendants with committing acts that would undermine the independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the country, as well as seeking and communicating with Iran and Hezbollah to carry out hostile acts against Kuwait, which included plotting to assassinate the Minister of Interior and other leading figures.

Case documents revealed that remaining defendants held meetings to plan the assassination and assigned roles among themselves. An eleventh defendant was tasked with providing the necessary equipment to execute the plot, acting under instructions from the first three defendants who received death sentences.

The court stressed that "national security is not the interest of an individual or a faction, but a right of society as a whole," adding that state sovereignty cannot be contested by a foreign power.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Chinese President over Earthquake Victims in Xizang

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Chinese President over Earthquake Victims in Xizang

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo

Saudi Arabia’s leadership sent cables of condolence to China following the earthquake that struck Baqen County in the Xizang Autonomous Region, expressing sympathy over the loss of lives.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing his deepest sympathies to the president, the families of the victims, and the Chinese people over the deaths, injuries, and missing persons resulting from the earthquake. He also wished for the safe return of those missing and a speedy recovery for the injured.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also sent a cable to President Xi Jinping, conveying his heartfelt condolences and wishing for the safe return of those missing and a swift recovery for the injured.


Saudi FM, Brazilian Counterpart Discuss Regional and Int'l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM, Brazilian Counterpart Discuss Regional and Int'l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields. They also discussed regional and international developments and several issues of mutual interest.