Kuwait Sends Official Invitations to Gulf Summit

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
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Kuwait Sends Official Invitations to Gulf Summit

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May joins other leaders for a family photo at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Manama, Bahrain December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Kuwait on Thursday raised expectations for the planned 38th GCC summit after officially inviting Qatar and Oman to attend the summit scheduled for December 5-6.

Kuwaiti sources, organizing the Gulf summit, said official directives had asked them to work on completing all the procedures, on the basis that the summit would be held on December 5 and 6.

The sources noted that the acceleration of efforts to hold the summit suggested Doha’s acceptance of the conditions imposed by the Arab Anti-Terrorism Quartet, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

They also stressed that Kuwait would not have progressed on this step had it not received positive signals to end the Gulf crisis.

The same sources pointed to the visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al Sabah to Riyadh, where he delivered a message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, and which came two days after the Emir of Kuwait received the Qatari Emir’s brothers, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad, who conveyed a verbal message from Sheikh Tamim to the Emir of Kuwait.

On Thursday, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar Hafez Al-Ajmi delivered an official invitation to Sheikh Tamim to attend the summit.

The Kuwaiti news agency reported that Al-Ajmi handed the Emir of Qatar a written message from the Emir of Kuwait, inviting him to participate in the Gulf Summit, which will be held in Kuwait City next week.

Kuwait also announced that Oman’s Sultan Qaboos has received an official invitation to attend the summit.

It is noteworthy that the last Gulf Summit (37th) was held south of the Bahraini capital, Manama, in the presence of British Prime Minister Theresa Mai, who announced a project of strategic partnership between the UK and the Gulf, at the economic, political, defense and security levels.



Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.