Aoun: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Foreign Visit, Reflecting its Historic Support to Lebanon

 Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
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Aoun: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Foreign Visit, Reflecting its Historic Support to Lebanon

 Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, congratulating him on his election on Thursday.

He conveyed the congratulations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and wished Aoun and the brotherly people of Lebanon further progress.

Crown Prince Mohammed also invited Aoun to visit the Kingdom.

For his part, the president expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s support to Lebanon and its people.

Aoun confirmed that Saudi Arabia will be the destination of his first official foreign visit, saying it “reflects his belief in the Kingdom’s historic role in supporting and standing by Lebanon.”

“Ties with the Kingdom are also the foundation of Lebanon’s ties with the region,” he added.



GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Officials' Statements on Member States' Sovereignty

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Officials' Statements on Member States' Sovereignty

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed the GCC states’ denunciation of the media statements made by Iranian officials regarding the GCC states.

"These statements contained fallacies, false claims, and rejected allegations that contradict the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and good neighborliness—principles which Iran violated through its aggression against the sovereignty and independence of the State of Qatar," Albudaiwi stated.

Furthermore, he noted that these statements contradict the GCC states' continuous efforts to enhance relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran at all levels, SPA reported.

"The GCC states have consistently reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the foundations and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law, including the principles of good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or threat of force," Albudaiwi emphasized.

He added that the GCC states have consistently demonstrated goodwill towards Iran, stressing their keenness on Iran's security and stability to preserve the interests of the Iranian people and to spare the region the repercussions of tension and escalation.

"This commitment was underlined during the joint meetings between the GCC foreign ministers and Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The council member states have also underscored the significance of continuing bilateral communication between the GCC and Iran to enhance shared interests and maintain regional security and stability," he pointed out.

Moreover, Albudaiwi affirmed the GCC states' commitment to peace, coexistence, and pursuing dialogue and diplomatic solutions in international relations. He called on Iran to cease spreading false claims that undermine trust and hinder communication and understanding, at a time when the countries of the region need rapprochement and cooperation to safeguard their interests and achieve their peoples' aspirations for security, stability, growth, and prosperity.


Saudi Crown Prince Receives Emir of Qatar in Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Emir of Qatar in Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Riyadh on Monday to chair the eighth meeting of the Saudi-Qatari coordination council.

He was welcomed upon his arrival in the Kingdom by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

They will chair the meeting in Riyadh on Monday.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have held a series of talks in preparation for the meeting.

In recent days, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks in Riyadh with his Qatari counterpart and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The officials discussed bilateral relations and aspects of cooperation between their countries and means to develop them.

Sheikh Mohammed and other senior officials are accompanying Sheikh Tamim on his visit to Riyadh.


Saudi Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Developments 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Developments 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Monday a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.

They discussed regional and international developments and ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability.

They reviewed bilateral relations and the existing cooperation between their two countries in a number of fields, in addition to discussing several issues of common interest.