Saudi FM Says Hopeful Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi FM Says Hopeful Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said on Wednesday that it was a “responsibility of all of us in the region” to keep the ceasefire in Gaza on track.

“I am hopeful Gaza ceasefire will hold,” he said from the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to Reuters.

On Tuesday, the Saudi government hoped on that the ceasefire would end the “barbaric Israeli war” and help address the root cause of the conflict by allowing the Palestinian people to achieve their rights, starting with the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect on Sunday following 15 months of a brutal war that left the Gaza Strip in ruins.

The first phase of the truce, lasting 42 days, will include Hamas’ release of 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel will release 1,904 Palestinian detainees.

Negotiations over the second phase of the deal will take place on February 3.



UAE, Syrian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
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UAE, Syrian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday.

The officials discussed strengthening the long-standing relations between their countries and peoples, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest.

The discussions covered the situation in Syria, along with the latest regional developments.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE’s firm stance in supporting Syria’s independence and sovereignty over its entire territories, standing by the Syrian people, and backing all efforts aimed at fulfilling their aspirations for lasting security, stability and a dignified life.

He emphasized the importance of advancing the path of reconstruction and development in Syria, and ensuring all necessary factors for security and stability to secure a promising future filled with opportunities for prosperity and well-being for its people.

The officials also discussed a range of issues related to the WGS 2025 and explored ways to leverage the event for strengthened international cooperation and support of the Sustainable Development Goals.