OIC Welcomes Belgium's Intention to Recognize State of Palestine

Ertzaintza police force members secure the perimeter as members of the Gernika Palestine initiative a protest against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team and in support of Palestinians, during the 11th stage of the La Vuelta a Espana cycling race over 157.4km from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, 03 September 2025. (EPA)
Ertzaintza police force members secure the perimeter as members of the Gernika Palestine initiative a protest against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team and in support of Palestinians, during the 11th stage of the La Vuelta a Espana cycling race over 157.4km from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, 03 September 2025. (EPA)
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OIC Welcomes Belgium's Intention to Recognize State of Palestine

Ertzaintza police force members secure the perimeter as members of the Gernika Palestine initiative a protest against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team and in support of Palestinians, during the 11th stage of the La Vuelta a Espana cycling race over 157.4km from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, 03 September 2025. (EPA)
Ertzaintza police force members secure the perimeter as members of the Gernika Palestine initiative a protest against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team and in support of Palestinians, during the 11th stage of the La Vuelta a Espana cycling race over 157.4km from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, 03 September 2025. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat welcomed on Wednesday Belgium's announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine and impose sanctions on the Israeli occupation government.

It described the move as an important step reflecting Belgium's firm commitment to international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly those underscoring the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital.

The OIC urged other countries to follow Belgium's decision to impose sanctions on Israel, in line with their obligations under the orders of the International Court of Justice, to achieve justice, ensure accountability, and end the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

It also reiterated its call to all states that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to take this step and to support Palestine's application for full United Nations membership, as part of international efforts to achieve peace and implement the two-state solution based on relevant UN resolutions.



2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Two people were killed and three were wounded by falling debris after air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the government media office said on Thursday.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X.


Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a phone call on Wednesday from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Iran’s continued assaults against Saudi Arabia.

Starmer expressed his country’s strong condemnation of Iran’s attacks highlighting their threat to security and stability, during the phone call with the Crown Prince.

The two leaders discussed regional security amid the ongoing military escalation, its impact on regional and global stability, and the associated risks to international maritime security and the global economy.


UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
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UN Rights Council Slams ‘Egregious’ Iran Strikes on Gulf, Demands Reparation

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo)

The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Iran's "egregious attacks" on Gulf countries and demanded full "reparation" for all victims of its strikes.

The 47-member council backed a resolution brought by the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan demanding Iran immediately "cease all unprovoked attacks.”

The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution "condemns in the strongest terms the egregious attacks" by Iran, condemns Tehran's actions aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz and voices "grave concerns at the Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure.”

It demands Iran "immediately and unconditionally cease all unprovoked attacks" against the GCC states and Jordan and "provide full, effective and prompt reparation to all victims for the damage and injury caused by its attacks.”

Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of the resolution, which reflects the international community’s rejection of Iranian attacks and its condemnation of these brutal acts as grave violations of human rights.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and other countries in the region “constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and a clear breach of international conventions and international law.”

“Targeting countries that are not party to the conflict is a blatant act of aggression that cannot be justified or accepted,” it added.