Syria's Sharaa in Qatar to Deepen Bilateral Relations

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
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Syria's Sharaa in Qatar to Deepen Bilateral Relations

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa in Doha on Tuesday, state media reported.

This is Sharaa’s first official visit to the Gulf state since he took power in Damascus after the fall of the former Syrian regime on December 8.

Sharaa and Sheikh Tamim discussed key regional and international developments and exchanged views on ways to enhance security and stability in the region, Qatar’s official news agency, QNA, said.

They tackled bilateral relations between their countries and ways to support and develop them, especially in the political and diplomatic fields.

Sheikh Tamim hoped Sharaa’s visit would help in advancing cooperation between their countries to broader horizons.

For his part, Sharaa emphasized his country’s keenness to develop bilateral ties and boost joint coordination to serve the interests of their countries and peoples.

The talks in Doha were attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.

On December 15, Qatar reopened its embassy in Syria after it was closed for more than 13 years due to the war and a week after Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power.

Days later, the first high-level Qatari delegation headed by Minister of State Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi arrived in Damascus.

On December 30, an airplane carrying humanitarian aid provided by Qatar Fund for Development Fund (QFFD) arrived at Damascus International Airport.

On January 30, Sheikh Tamim visited Damascus where he met with Sharaa. Sheikh Tamim's visit was the first by a head of state to the Syrian capital since Assad was toppled.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Gulf States, Measures to Protect Their Security

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Gulf States, Measures to Protect Their Security

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah - SPA

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the two messages he received from President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan.

Addressing regional developments, the Cabinet emphasized its condemnation of the treacherous attacks on the territories and territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait, and reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's support for the Gulf states and the measures they are taking to protect their security and stability.

In a statement to the SPA following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet discussed the latest developments in strengthening cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and various countries and international organizations.

It commended the outcomes of the third meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council, noting that it reflected a shared interest in consolidating bilateral relations and propelling them toward broader horizons in all fields to serve the interests of both countries and their peoples.

The Cabinet considered the selection of Riyadh to host a United Nations digital government center as confirmation of the Kingdom's leadership and its regional and global role in supporting multilateral international action, enabling innovation, and adopting artificial intelligence technologies to build a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

It also reviewed the quarterly report on the state's general budget performance for fiscal year 2026, noting indicators that reflect a firm commitment to enhancing spending on national priorities, including health, education, social development, and infrastructure projects in water and energy, as part of ongoing efforts to develop and improve services provided to citizens.

The Cabinet praised the growing developmental momentum in the industrial and mining sectors throughout 2025, highlighting achievements in consolidating local capabilities, attracting quality investments, and enhancing self-sufficiency in targeted sectors to diversify the production base and boost the global competitiveness of national exports.


Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Jordanian Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Jordanian Counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi, SPA reported.

During the call, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region, the efforts being made in this regard, and the continuation of bilateral coordination and consultations.


Kuwait Says Four People Affiliated with Iran’s IRGC Arrested Trying to Enter by Sea

An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
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Kuwait Says Four People Affiliated with Iran’s IRGC Arrested Trying to Enter by Sea

An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)

Kuwait's interior ministry said on Tuesday it had arrested four ‌infiltrators affiliated with ‌Iran's Revolutionary ‌Guards ⁠after they attempted ⁠to enter the Gulf state by ⁠sea, according ‌to ‌the state ‌news ‌agency KUNA.

The ministry added that one ‌member of Kuwait's armed ⁠forces was ⁠injured in clashes with the infiltrators.