Arab, Muslim Leaders Stress Need for Comprehensive Plan for Gaza Reconstruction

Trump and the Arab and Muslim leaders during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, US, September 23, 2025. (Reuters)
Trump and the Arab and Muslim leaders during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, US, September 23, 2025. (Reuters)
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Arab, Muslim Leaders Stress Need for Comprehensive Plan for Gaza Reconstruction

Trump and the Arab and Muslim leaders during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, US, September 23, 2025. (Reuters)
Trump and the Arab and Muslim leaders during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, US, September 23, 2025. (Reuters)

The United States, Arab and Islamic leaders stressed the need to end the war on Gaza and achieve an immediate ceasefire that would ensure the release of hostages and the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid as the first step toward a just and lasting peace.

US President Donald Trump and eight Arab states and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened at United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting was convened at Trump’s initiative and co-hosted by Trump and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and joined by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, President Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Egypt Moustafa Kamal Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

The leaders of Arab and OIC states highlighted the “unbearable situation in the Gaza Strip, including the humanitarian catastrophe and high human toll, as well as its serious consequences for the region and impact on the Muslim world as a whole,” said a statement on Wednesday.

“They reiterated the common position rejecting forced-displacement and the need to allow the return of those who left,” it added.

“They reiterated their commitment to cooperate with Trump, and stressed the importance of his leadership to end the war and open horizons for a just and lasting peace,” it said.

“They emphasized the need to work out details of a plan for stabilization, while ensuring stability in the West Bank and Jerusalem’s holy sites, and supported Palestinian Authority reform efforts.”

The participants underlined “the need to ensure a comprehensive plan for reconstruction in Gaza, based on the Arab and OIC plan, as well as security arrangements, with international assistance supporting the Palestinian leadership.”

They expressed commitment to work together to ensure the success of plans and to rebuild the lives of Palestinians in Gaza.

They stressed the importance of maintaining momentum to ensure that the meeting “is the beginning of a process on the right path to a future of peace and regional cooperation.”



Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah traveled to France on Wednesday to attend the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, taking place at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in the countryside outside Paris.

The meeting will address international issues and topics, including global governance reform, reconstruction challenges, maritime security, supply chains, and threats to peace and stability around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.


Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
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Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the attacks carried out by Iran-affiliated armed groups in Iraq against countries in the region and their facilities and infrastructure.

They said these assaults constitute a violation of international laws and conventions, and a flagrant breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which clearly demands that Iran immediately and unconditionally cease any attacks or threats against neighboring states, including those carried out through proxy groups.

In the statement, the six countries strongly condemned what they dubbed Iranian aggression, whether carried out directly or through proxy armed groups, saying it violates their sovereignty and breaches international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

They urged Iraq to immediately stop attacks from armed groups within its territory to maintain relations and prevent escalation.

The statement affirmed the six countries’ inherent right to self-defense and to take necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and security under the UN Charter.

The statement also condemned the destabilizing activities carried out by Iran-aligned sleeper cells and terrorist groups linked to Hezbollah. It praised the armed forces and security agencies for confronting these threats, protecting national security, and successfully uncovering and dismantling hostile networks.


Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held telephone talks on Wednesday on regional developments and the implications of the ongoing military escalation on regional and global security and stability.

Shehbaz Sharif stresses his country’s full support to Saudi Arabia, saying it will always firmly stand by its side amid the Iranian attacks against its security and sovereignty.

In a post on X, he said Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with the Kingdom, saying it enjoys its absolute support.

He underscored his country’s firm commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty, especially amid the current regional escalation.

He also condemned any attacks that target the Kingdom, hailing its restraint and urging de-escalation and an end to the hostilities.

He said he agreed with Crown Prince Mohammed to continue close coordination.