GCC Welcomes UN Resolution Seeking ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Aid Obligations in Palestinian Territories

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Welcomes UN Resolution Seeking ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Aid Obligations in Palestinian Territories

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi expressed his appreciation for the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of a resolution introduced by the Kingdom of Norway, in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and several other nations. The resolution calls for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's legal obligations regarding the actions of the United Nations and other states in their support of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat on Saturday, Albudaiwi highlighted that the adoption of this resolution clearly underscores the international consensus in favor of supporting the Palestinian people as they confront the challenges they face. He emphasized that the resolution reaffirms global backing for the legitimate right of Palestinians to self-determination and to establish an independent state, ensuring the protection and respect of all their fundamental rights, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Albudaiwi also emphasized the final statement issued by the 45th GCC Supreme Council in December 2024, which reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and called for an end to the Israeli occupation. He reiterated the GCC's unwavering support for Palestinian sovereignty over all occupied territories and urged all nations to complete the procedures for recognizing the State of Palestine.
Additionally, Albudaiwi called for urgent collective action to secure a lasting solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.



Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Our Pilgrims Continue to Arrive in the Kingdom for Hajj

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
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Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Our Pilgrims Continue to Arrive in the Kingdom for Hajj

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)

The first batch of Iranian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj amid an integrated system of services offered by the Kingdom for pilgrims from all over the world.

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that the second batch of Iranian pilgrims will arrive on Tuesday.

“They are being generously welcomed by Saudi Arabia, as are all pilgrims and as have all Iranians over the years,” he stressed.

The first batch of arrivals were administrative and social staff that will accompany the Iranian pilgrims. They will be followed by the pilgrims on Tuesday after Iran reopened its airspace over the weekend.

Pilgrims first started arriving in the Kingdom on April 18.

The Kingdom is dedicating all of its means to serve them and allow them to perform the holy rituals with ease.

Enayati hoped the Iranians would perform the rituals with ease and return home safely, expressing his gratitude to Saudi and Iranian authorities for their services.

The Iranian embassy is ready to offer any assistance and is coordinating with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, he added.

He noted the recent telephone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that tackled regional developments and diplomatic efforts exerted towards them.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has been implementing the Makkah Road Initiative for eight years as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program. It is being carried out in 10 countries: Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Cote d'Ivoire, Maldives, Senegal and Brunei Darussalam.

Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has served over 1.2 million pilgrims. It aims to facilitate their journey through offering integrated services in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies.


Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Djibouti’s President

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama. SPA
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama. SPA
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Djibouti’s President

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama. SPA
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama. SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Sunday a written message from Djibouti’s President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, concerning bilateral relations between the two countries.

The message was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama.

During the meeting, the two officials reviewed ties between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, and discussed the latest developments in the region and the world.


Saudi Arabia Denounces Shooting Targeting Event Attended by US President

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Denounces Shooting Targeting Event Attended by US President

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its denunciation of the shooting that targeted an event attended by US President Donald Trump, SPA reported.

The Kingdom expressed its solidarity with the United States of America and affirms its rejection of all forms of violence.