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Saudi, Palestinian FMs Sign Several Memoranda of Understanding 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet at the headquarters of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet at the headquarters of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Palestinian FMs Sign Several Memoranda of Understanding 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet at the headquarters of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet at the headquarters of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa at the headquarters of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution at the ministerial level, chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.

Prince Faisal and Mustafa discussed bilateral relations, developments regarding the situation in Palestine, and ways to boost joint action and coordinate positions on the international stage in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Following the meeting, three memoranda of understanding were signed, reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, the Palestinian people, and the reform program launched by the Palestinian government in various fields.

The first MoU covered human capital development, training, and advancement between the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and Palestinian General Personnel Council.

It was signed by Saudi General Manager of Human Capital Growth and Development Engineer Ibrahim Bahammam, and Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Estephan Anton Salameh, representing the General Personnel Council.

The second MoU focused on curriculum development, aimed at leveraging the Kingdom’s experience, between the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the State of Palestine.

It was signed by CEO of the Saudi National Curriculum Center Dr. Abdulrahman bin Makmi Al-Ruwaili and by Salameh on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The third MoU covered communications, information technology, digital transformation, and expertise transfer between the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Palestinian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

It was signed by Saudi Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Partnerships Engineer Mansour Saleh Al-Qurashi and Salameh on behalf of the Palestinian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

These MoUs underscore the Kingdom’s belief in the vital role of education and human resource development in building and empowering Palestinian society, particularly its youth, to lead and realize their independent state.

They also aim to prepare the infrastructure for communications and digital services to provide essential services to the Palestinian people, strengthening their resilience amidst the difficult and unprecedented circumstances they are experiencing. This step also reflects the depth of fraternal relations between the two leaderships and peoples.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud; Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic and Development Affairs Abdullah bin Zarah; the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil; Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Alyahya, and Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Manal Radwan.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Affirms Its Full Right to Take all Necessary Measures to Protect its Security, Territorial Integrity

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Affirms Its Full Right to Take all Necessary Measures to Protect its Security, Territorial Integrity

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired a Cabinet session held on Tuesday via video conference.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the content of recent phone calls with the leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, within the framework of ongoing consultations on the latest developments in the region and their repercussions on regional and international security and stability.

The Cabinet strongly condemned the heinous Iranian attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and a number of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, the insistence on threatening security and stability, and the blatant violation of international conventions and international law by attacking civilian targets, airports, and oil facilities.

The Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to deter aggression. It commended the capabilities of the Saudi air defenses in intercepting and destroying hostile missiles and drones that attempted to target sites and facilities within the Kingdom.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated to the SPA, following the session that the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing role, stemming from its approach of supporting solidarity, cooperation, and coordination with its Gulf and Arab neighbors in addressing current regional challenges.

The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the statements issued by the GCC-European Union ministerial meeting and the League of Arab States ministerial meeting, which both condemned the blatant Iranian attacks.

The Cabinet then discussed several reports on domestic affairs, noting the recommendations from the 33rd annual meeting of the governors of the regions, which focused on supporting development opportunities, enhancing the capabilities of various sectors, and continuing to improve development services.

The Cabinet also addressed the state's keen interest in strengthening the charitable sector, consolidating the values of giving, and presenting a model to be emulated in philanthropy and solidarity. It commended the success of the sixth edition of the National Campaign for Charitable Work (Ehsan), building upon the successes achieved in previous years.

The Cabinet considered the celebration of Flag Day, which falls on March 11, as a reaffirmation of pride in its significance and symbolism in the history of the Saudi state, its founding, unification, and development, and in its embodiment of the Kingdom's established principles and national identity.

Gulf

Qatar Says Iran Must Halt Attacks before Any Talks

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari. (Qatari Foreign Ministry)
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari. (Qatari Foreign Ministry)
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Qatar Says Iran Must Halt Attacks before Any Talks

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari. (Qatari Foreign Ministry)
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari. (Qatari Foreign Ministry)

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stressed on Tuesday that Iran needed to halt its attacks before any talks can be held.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, he said Qatar is being attacked daily by Iran, “so we cannot speak of any talks with it before it ceases its assaults.”

Contacts are ongoing with all parties to ensure an end to the conflict, he added, while accusing Iran of attacking civilian infrastructure in Qatar.

Moreover, he described as a “dangerous precedent” Iran’s attacks on energy facilities, saying they will cause economic losses in the region and have global consequences.

“The best solution lies in ending attacks on our energy facilities,” al-Ansari said in response to whether escorting ships in the Hormuz Strait was a viable option.

He revealed that since the eruption of the war, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had held only one telephone call with Iran’s foreign minister.

However, channels of contact with Tehran have not been completely severed, al-Ansari said. Doha is now focusing on de-escalation and ending the attacks.

Furthermore, he hoped that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s apology to Gulf countries over the attacks would have actually meant that they would end.

Instead, the attacks continued, rendering the apology meaningless, al-Ansari stressed.

“Any attack on Qatar will be handled in the appropriate manner,” he went on to say. “Confronting the Iranian aggression has become a priority given its impact on Qatar’s and the global economy.”

Al-Ansari said the armed forces have succeeded in defending the nation and repelling rocket and drone attacks that have targeted vital and civilian installations.

Qatar still believes in diplomacy and welcomes any role that can end the war, he continued. “Attacks against Qatar and its people are unacceptable. Leaders are working tirelessly to stop the assaults.”

Earlier, the Defense Ministry said the armed forces repelled a rocket attack.

On Monday, Doha confronted 17 ballistic missile and six drone attacks.

Gulf

King of Bahrain: We Are Keen on Bolstering Ties with Our Surroundings

King Hamad hailed the dedicated and valuable efforts of the RBAF servicemen. (BNA)
King Hamad hailed the dedicated and valuable efforts of the RBAF servicemen. (BNA)
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King of Bahrain: We Are Keen on Bolstering Ties with Our Surroundings

King Hamad hailed the dedicated and valuable efforts of the RBAF servicemen. (BNA)
King Hamad hailed the dedicated and valuable efforts of the RBAF servicemen. (BNA)

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) on Monday to review operational readiness and capabilities.

He inspected combat aircraft operated by the Bahrain Defense Force, which are among the most advanced of their kind in the world, reported the kingdom’s state news agency BNA.

King Hamad hailed the dedicated and valuable efforts of the RBAF servicemen, commending their combat readiness and high level of skill as they stand united in joint operations with their counterparts in air defense and various units of the Bahrain Defense Force in carrying out their national duty to defend the kingdom, safeguard the security of its citizens, and protect its development process.

Bahrain will remain steadfast in its approach grounded in wisdom, moderation, and the promotion of peace and cooperation, continuing with confidence to fulfill its national and humanitarian responsibilities while strengthening its relations with its Arab, regional, and international partners in ways that support the security and stability of the region, he stressed.

He also praised the professionalism, discipline, and strong sense of responsibility demonstrated by Bahrain Defense Force servicemen across their various posts, emphasizing that the Bahrain Defense Force will remain committed to its role in safeguarding security, stability, and development of the kingdom.