GCC Secretary General Meets US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs

Albudaiwi and Leaf met on the sidelines of 20th IISS Manama Dialogue. (SPA)

18:28-6 December 2024 AD ـ 04 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

18:27-6 December 2024 AD ـ 04 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

18:28-6 December 2024 AD ـ 04 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

18:27-6 December 2024 AD ـ 04 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

GCC Secretary General Meets US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs

Albudaiwi and Leaf met on the sidelines of 20th IISS Manama Dialogue. (SPA)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi held talks in Manama on Friday with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf.

They reviewed the cooperative relationship between the GCC countries and United States and explored means to strengthen and develop this strategic partnership for mutual benefit.

They also discussed issues of common interest and the latest regional and international developments.

Albudaiwi and Leaf met on the sidelines of 20th IISS Manama Dialogue, which is being organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in cooperation with the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year's theme of the Dialogue is "Middle East Leadership in Shaping Regional Prosperity and Security."

Albudaiwi also met with EU operation commander of EUNAVFOR Aspides Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis.

The GCC chief and the commander of the European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea discussed developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions.

The meeting also covered the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern.

Albudaiwi emphasized the concerns over the ongoing developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. He stressed the importance of de-escalation to maintain the security and stability of the region and respect for freedom of navigation in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.

Gulf

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

The UAE air defenses on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The agency said that, since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs.

A WAM statement said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the death of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as nine civilian fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.

A total of 190 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian and Indian.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that preserves its sovereignty and stability and protects its interests and national capabilities.