Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
TT

Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.



Mohammed bin Salman, Zelenskyy Meet in Jeddah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Jeddah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Jeddah on Friday. (SPA)
TT

Mohammed bin Salman, Zelenskyy Meet in Jeddah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Jeddah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Jeddah on Friday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Friday Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Zelenskyy had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Friday. He was welcomed by Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and other senior officials upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport. 

Separately, Crown Prince Mohammed received a written message from Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis on bilateral ties between their countries. 


Kuwait Announces New Attack Launched from Iraq

File photo of smoke rising from a building in Kuwait following recent Iranian attacks (AFP)
File photo of smoke rising from a building in Kuwait following recent Iranian attacks (AFP)
TT

Kuwait Announces New Attack Launched from Iraq

File photo of smoke rising from a building in Kuwait following recent Iranian attacks (AFP)
File photo of smoke rising from a building in Kuwait following recent Iranian attacks (AFP)

Kuwait said a new attack targeted its territory from Iraq, in a repeat of similar incidents reported in recent weeks during the Iran war.

The official spokesman of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, Colonel Staff Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, said in Statement No. 60 that two sites belonging to Kuwait’s northern land border posts were targeted this morning in a “criminal act of aggression involving two explosive-laden drones guided by fibre-optic cables, originating from the Republic of Iraq,” resulting in material damage without any human casualties.

The statement added that the Ministry of Defense confirms the competent authorities immediately began taking the necessary measures to deal with the incident.

No immediate Iraqi comment was issued regarding the Kuwaiti announcement, noting that Kuwait and several Gulf states have complained in recent weeks of attacks launched from Iraqi territory.

On April 14, the Saudi Cabinet stressed its categorical rejection of violations of state sovereignty and attempts to threaten regional security and stability, reiterating its strongest condemnation of blatant attacks targeting the country and Gulf states using drones launched from Iraqi territory, and underscoring the importance of the Iraqi government acting responsibly in addressing these threats.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Iraqi embassy in the country, Omar Al-Obaidi, handing him a strongly worded protest note expressing condemnation and denunciation of terrorist attacks launched from Iraqi territory targeting vital facilities in Gulf Cooperation Council states, despite the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

In the note, delivered by the Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the ministry, Ahmed Al-Marashda, the UAE affirmed its absolute rejection of these attacks, stating they were carried out by armed factions and groups loyal to Iran, constituting a violation of the sovereignty and airspace of the targeted states and a clear breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.


Foreign Ministers of Arab, Islamic Countries Condemn Israeli Violations in Jerusalem

FILED - 05 May 2022, ---, Jerusalem: Israeli security officers patrol in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
FILED - 05 May 2022, ---, Jerusalem: Israeli security officers patrol in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
TT

Foreign Ministers of Arab, Islamic Countries Condemn Israeli Violations in Jerusalem

FILED - 05 May 2022, ---, Jerusalem: Israeli security officers patrol in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
FILED - 05 May 2022, ---, Jerusalem: Israeli security officers patrol in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The foreign ministers of several Arab and Muslim countries have condemned the repeated Israeli violations of the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, particularly the continued incursions by settlers and extremist ministers into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under Israeli police protection, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye reiterated that these provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and represent an unacceptable provocation to Muslims around the world, and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the holy city.

They reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and stressed its preservation while recognizing the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard.

The ministers reiterated that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and to regulate entry thereto.

The ministers further condemned the accelerating illegal settlement activity, including Israel’s decision to approve over 30 new settlements, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

They also condemned the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including recent attacks on Palestinian schools and children, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

They emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The ministers stressed that such actions constitute a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and on the implementation of the two-state solution, increase tensions, undermine peace efforts, and hinder ongoing initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of stability.

They called on Israel to assume full responsibility, condemn these hostile acts, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The ministers reiterated their call for the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, and to put an end to its illegal practices.

They also called on the international community to intensify all efforts to advance a political solution that achieves a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

The ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and to establish a state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.