Saudi Arabia Awaits UN Probe Into Houthi Missiles

 Al-Mouallimi
Al-Mouallimi
TT

Saudi Arabia Awaits UN Probe Into Houthi Missiles

 Al-Mouallimi
Al-Mouallimi

Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdullah al-Mouallimi, told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that a committee tasked with following up on UN decisions was currently investigating the Iranian ballistic missiles in the framework of updating violations against UN Resolutions, adding that the Saudi side awaits the results of the probe.

Al-Mouallimi said that the Kingdom has already presented a letter to the Security Council concerning last Saturday’s ballistic missile fired from Yemen on King Khaled International Airport. Saudi defense forces intercepted the missile and brought it down near Riyadh airport without causing any casualties.

According to the Saudi diplomat, the Saudi letter shed lights on the attack and uncovered that the ballistic was an Iranian-made missile, which was sent to the Houthi militias in Yemen.

He also explained that the Saudi side had offered clarifications concerning the decision of temporarily closing all land, sea and airports in Yemen to stop Iranian weapons from reaching Houthi insurgents.

“We will soon deal differently with this issue. Those measures aim to respond to a certain situation. When the purpose of those measures ends, we will reopen those ports with introducing some needed amendments and reforms,” Al-Mouallimi said.

According to the Saudi diplomat, the Kingdom had also offered in its letter to the UN a clear condemnation of the Iranian violations to the UN Resolutions and asked the Security Council to take the needed measures facing those abuses.

Al-Mouallimi asserted that Saudi Arabia is not affected by any pressures or statements, and that it “does not rely on the media uproar that accompanies this or that event.”

He added: “Riyadh respects the official positions of the Security Council, which is still attached to Resolution 2216.”

On Thursday, member states at the Security Council strongly condemned the missile carried by Houthis on Riyadh and described the attack as provocative and as a violation to the related UN Security Council Resolution.



Mohamed bin Zayed, European Council President Discuss Strengthening Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
TT

Mohamed bin Zayed, European Council President Discuss Strengthening Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, have discussed ways to develop and expand relations to serve the common interests of all sides and foster growth and prosperity.

During Friday’s meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the deep ties between the UAE and the European Union, as well as the ongoing commitment to strengthening these relations to support their shared goals and promote peace and development at both the regional and global levels.

The meeting also touched upon the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-European Union summit scheduled for October in Brussels. The UAE President and Michel emphasized the significance of the summit in advancing relations, especially in economic and developmental areas, and setting the stage for further progress in the years ahead.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the European Council President also reviewed several regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly developments in the Middle East. They underscored the importance of reaching an urgent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip to allow for adequate humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of its residents. They also stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to push for a permanent and stable peace process based on the two-state solution.

Both sides emphasized the seriousness of escalating tensions in the region and the critical need for international efforts to contain and prevent the expansion of conflicts, which pose a threat to regional security and stability.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s support for all efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza and fostering stability and peace in the region. He also highlighted the UAE's commitment to cooperating with the European Union and other concerned parties to enhance the humanitarian response to the worsening situation in Gaza and support regional stability.

Charles Michel praised the UAE's position in support of Gulf-European cooperation and its influential humanitarian role in Gaza. He also commended the UAE’s contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East.