Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
TT

Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed on Friday his deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s efforts and honorable positions — under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister — that contributed to France’s historic commitment to recognize the State of Palestine.

Abbas welcomed the message from French President Emmanuel Macron that said France intends to recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He praised this bold step as a significant step towards achieving peace based on the two-state solution, in line with international resolutions and international law.

This move is a victory for the Palestinian cause and reflects France’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate, inalienable rights to their homeland, added Abbas.

He urged other countries to take similar actions by recognizing the State of Palestine based on the internationally recognized two-state solution and in line with relevant international resolutions.



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

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).
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.


Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
TT

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah arrived Wednesday in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

He was received by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at King Khalid International Airport.


Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
TT

Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)

Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters.

"Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the ministry added.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over the past month in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted hydrocarbon infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations as well as shipping, effectively closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil usually passes.

QatarEnergy said in a statement the Aqua 1, a fuel oil tanker, had been "the subject of a missile attack in the northern territorial waters of the State of Qatar in the early morning hours of Wednesday".

It confirmed no crew members had been injured and there was "no impact on the environment as a result of this incident".