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Kuwaiti Cabinet Fiercely Condemns Failed Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh

Tribesmen loyal to the Houthi movement hold up their rifles as they shout slogans during a pro-Houthi tribal gathering in a rural area near Sanaa. (File photo: Reuters)
Tribesmen loyal to the Houthi movement hold up their rifles as they shout slogans during a pro-Houthi tribal gathering in a rural area near Sanaa. (File photo: Reuters)
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Kuwaiti Cabinet Fiercely Condemns Failed Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh

Tribesmen loyal to the Houthi movement hold up their rifles as they shout slogans during a pro-Houthi tribal gathering in a rural area near Sanaa. (File photo: Reuters)
Tribesmen loyal to the Houthi movement hold up their rifles as they shout slogans during a pro-Houthi tribal gathering in a rural area near Sanaa. (File photo: Reuters)

The Kuwaiti Cabinet fiercely condemned the recently thwarted ballistic missile attack on Riyadh carried out by the Houthis, saying the incident shows the group is "not serious" about peace.

Following the Cabinet's session held on Monday, Kuwaiti Acting First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of the State for the Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said: "this sinful assault by the Houthis, which targeted the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, proves that this group is not serious in responding to international efforts which aim to put an end to the conflict in Yemen."

According to a statement, the Kuwaiti Cabinet expressed Kuwait's support and backing of the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to maintain its security and stability under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

On the other hand Saudi Arabia's National Cabinet also pointed out to the Kingdom's strong condemnation over the report made by a UN committee that the United Nations has presented $ 14 million to the so-called Yemeni Ministry of Education that is an affiliate of Houthi militias that are responsible for planting thousands of mines inside Yemen and on Saudi borders.

The Kingdom requested the reconsideration of the report submitted to the Committee to reflect the facts that had been ignored and the commitment of all United Nations organs to the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2216, stressing that United Nations support for Houthi coup militias was unjustifiable or unacceptable.

The Saudi Cabinet also expressed its condemnation of truck-ramming accident in New York, the suicide bombing in Kabul and the two suicide attacks in Kirkuk, Iraq, which resulted in a number of victims and injuries, expressing its condolences to the families of the victims, the US administration and people in addition to the governments and peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq.

It reiterated Saudi Arabia's firm stance rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the importance of international efforts for counterterrorism.

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Gulf

Saudi, Spanish FMs Discuss Gaza Conflict 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah talks to journalists during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart at the foreign ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, 16 April 2024. (EPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah talks to journalists during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart at the foreign ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, 16 April 2024. (EPA)
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Saudi, Spanish FMs Discuss Gaza Conflict 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah talks to journalists during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart at the foreign ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, 16 April 2024. (EPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah talks to journalists during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart at the foreign ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, 16 April 2024. (EPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a telephone call on Thursday with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares.

They discussed the latest developments in the region, primarily focusing on the situation in and around the Gaza Strip and the efforts to address it.

Gulf

King Salman Receives Written Message from King of Bahrain 

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa in Riyadh. (SPA)
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa in Riyadh. (SPA)
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King Salman Receives Written Message from King of Bahrain 

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa in Riyadh. (SPA)
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa in Riyadh. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud received on Thursday a written message from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa concerning relations between the two countries.

The message was received by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi during a meeting with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Riyadh Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.

The officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to boost them in various fields.

They also discussed issues of common interest.

Gulf

Saudi, Belgian FMs Discuss Gaza Situation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi, Belgian FMs Discuss Gaza Situation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Friday from Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions Hadja Lahbib.

The two ministers discussed the latest regional developments, focusing on the situation in and around the Gaza Strip and related diplomatic efforts.

Gulf

Bahrain, Jordan Stress Need to Reduce Regional Tension, Military Escalation

Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during their meeting on Wednesday in Amman (Petra News Agency).
Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during their meeting on Wednesday in Amman (Petra News Agency).
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Bahrain, Jordan Stress Need to Reduce Regional Tension, Military Escalation

Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during their meeting on Wednesday in Amman (Petra News Agency).
Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during their meeting on Wednesday in Amman (Petra News Agency).

The kings of Jordan and Bahrain underlined the importance of reducing tensions in the Middle East and avoiding military escalation.
During a meeting in Amman on Wednesday, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Jordanian monarch, Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, discussed the political and security situation in the Middle East, and stressed the need for the international community, especially the Security Council, to immediately implement ceasefire resolutions in Gaza.
The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported that the two monarchs “discussed means to strengthen bilateral cooperation and economic integration and reviewed current regional and international issues.”

They also stressed the importance of protecting civilians in the Gaza Strip, ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and preventing further escalation of the crisis, expressing their rejection of ground attacks on Rafah and the displacement of Palestinians from their lands.
The two sides reiterated the need to respect the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, and to stop Israeli attacks on religious places. They also condemned the construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories as a violation of international law.
The two leaders called for coordinating Arab and international efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region, support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution.
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stressed the importance of Jordanian custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, praising the ongoing diplomatic efforts made by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah II in supporting the Palestinian cause and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, in addition to the humanitarian programs to support the Palestinian people.
The Bahraini king left Jordan after a short visit.

 

 

 

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, EU Discuss the Escalation in the Region

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia, EU Discuss the Escalation in the Region

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has received a phone call from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
During the call on Wednesday, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, as well as the recent escalation in the region.

They emphasized the importance of joint coordination and efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Gulf

Saudi Ministers Hold Separate Meetings with Armenian FM

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, at the headquarters of the Saudi foreign ministry in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, at the headquarters of the Saudi foreign ministry in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Ministers Hold Separate Meetings with Armenian FM

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, at the headquarters of the Saudi foreign ministry in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, at the headquarters of the Saudi foreign ministry in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, on Wednesday in Riyadh where discussion focused on the latest international and regional developments.
The two officials also discussed bilateral relations and ways to promote them on various levels.
Earlier, the Saudi Minister had received Mirzoyan and the accompanying delegation wishing them a pleasant stay in the Kingdom.
The meeting was held in the presence of Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati, and Adviser to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Yahya.
Separately, the Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, also met with Mirzoyan. They discussed the mutual relations and explored opportunities for strengthening cooperation between their respective countries in various sectors. They also reviewed issues of mutual concern.

Gulf

OIC Urges Intensified Efforts to Stop War Crimes against Palestinians in Israeli Prisons

Members of the Israel Border Police patrol the alleys of Jerusalem's old city ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, in Jerusalem, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
Members of the Israel Border Police patrol the alleys of Jerusalem's old city ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, in Jerusalem, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
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OIC Urges Intensified Efforts to Stop War Crimes against Palestinians in Israeli Prisons

Members of the Israel Border Police patrol the alleys of Jerusalem's old city ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, in Jerusalem, 09 April 2024. (EPA)
Members of the Israel Border Police patrol the alleys of Jerusalem's old city ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, in Jerusalem, 09 April 2024. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed on Wednesday its concern over the intensification of arbitrary detention campaigns carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians.

On the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner’s Day, it said the number of prisoners held by Israel has increased to more than 9,500, including 80 female prisoners and more than 200 children.

More than 3,600 are administrative detainees without charge or trial, and about 600 prisoners are serving life sentences.

The OIC renewed its condemnation of the Israeli practices that have led to the death of 16 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons since October 7. Twenty-seven prisoners from Gaza have died from torture and medical negligence.

The OIC stressed that the plight of the Palestinian prisoners represents the loss of justice and stolen rights.

The prisoners have no one to bring them justice against “the most heinous, systematic inhuman practices committed against them,” it added, noting that they have been deprived of the most basic human rights and accusing Israeli authorities of practicing collective punishment, abuse, persecution, neglect, and isolation.

They have also been subjected to physical and psychological torture in flagrant violation of all standards and rules stipulated in international humanitarian law, the Charter of Human Rights, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and other relevant international treaties.

The OIC called on the international community and competent human rights institutions to assume their responsibilities and work to make the Israeli authorities to deal with Palestinian prisoners in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, international humanitarian law, and all provisions of relevant international conventions.

It also called for an investigation into all crimes committed by Israeli authorities against prisoners, reiterating its solidarity and support for the rights of Palestinian prisoners and commitment to work to convey their message and suffering to the international community so that they can be freed, and justice can be achieved.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Congratulates Syrian President on Evacuation Day

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. (SPA)
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. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates Syrian President on Evacuation Day

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. (SPA)
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. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud sent on Wednesday a cable of congratulations to Syrian Bashar al-Assad on his country's Evacuation Day.

King Salman wished Assad continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Syria steady progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent the Syrian leader a similar cable on the occasion.

Gulf

Qatar Says Gaza Ceasefire Talks at ‘Delicate Phase' 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 17, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 17, 2024. (Reuters)
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Qatar Says Gaza Ceasefire Talks at ‘Delicate Phase' 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 17, 2024. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 17, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday talks on a Gaza ceasefire and a release of hostages are at a "delicate phase".

"We are trying as much as possible to address this stumbling block," he added, without giving further details.

Qatar's premier condemned what he described as the policy of "collective punishment" still followed by Israel in its war against the enclave's ruling Palestinian group Hamas and the latest escalation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The ceasefire discussions, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, are continuing as a humanitarian crisis devastates Palestinians in Gaza with severe shortages of food, medicine and hospital care.

The war was triggered when Hamas burst into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages into the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by pounding Gaza in an air and ground offensive which has killed almost 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

Gulf

Storm Dumps Heaviest Rain Ever Recorded in UAE, Flooding Roads and Dubai Airport 

A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Storm Dumps Heaviest Rain Ever Recorded in UAE, Flooding Roads and Dubai Airport 

A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)
A taxi drives through a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai early on April 17, 2024. (AFP)

Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and Dubai's international airport.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” That's before the discovery of crude oil in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

At the airport, standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. The airport ended up halting arrivals Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews couldn't reach the airfield.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X. “We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through these challenges.”

Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets of Dubai. Lightning flashed Tuesday across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The city's driverless Metro saw disruptions and flooded stations as well.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

In Ras al-Khaimah, the country's northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Fujairah, an emirate on the UAE's eastern coast, saw the heaviest rainfall Tuesday with 145 millimeters (5.7 inches) falling there.

Authorities cancelled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In neighboring Oman at least 18 people had been killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Tuesday from the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, which saw condolences come into the country from rulers across the region.