UAE President: We Reject any Foreign Interference Undermining Security of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia

King Salman and President Sheikh Khalifa (Asharq al-Awsat)
King Salman and President Sheikh Khalifa (Asharq al-Awsat)
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UAE President: We Reject any Foreign Interference Undermining Security of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia

King Salman and President Sheikh Khalifa (Asharq al-Awsat)
King Salman and President Sheikh Khalifa (Asharq al-Awsat)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a cable of congratulations to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the occasion of UAE's 46th National Day.

King Salman expressed best felicitations to the president, government and people of the United Arab Emirates, wishing the president constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

The Custodian also lauded the fraternal ties binding the two countries and peoples, vowing to continue enhancing them in all fields.

In addition, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sent a cable of congratulations to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In his cable, the Crown Prince expressed best felicitations to the president, government and people of UAE, wishing the president constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa stated that the country's foreign policy has proven the soundness of the approach adopted since the establishment of the state, which is characterized by an active vibrancy and presence at regional and international scenes to serve the national interests.

The president renewed UAE's rejection of any "foreign interference undermining our security or security and the stability of our brethren in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or any other sisterly or friendly state.

He also reiterated that extremism and terrorism are fed by policies motivated by ambitions for hegemony and adventures for influence from states supporting and financing terrorist and extremist groups.

The president called upon: "Iranian government to sit at the negotiating table for dialogue or to accept international arbitration to resolve the issue of our three occupied islands as part of efforts to maintain security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region – a top priority in our policy."

According to the president, there can be no exit from this "dark tunnel" without a collective consensus that prevents any party whatsoever to disrupt regional and international efforts to realise stability. He also called for adopting joint measures to hold terrorism sponsors, financiers and supporters accountable.

"We in the United Arab Emirates are at the forefront of the efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in sisterly Yemen, at returning Egypt to its natural leading role in the Arab World, and at restoring security and stability to Syria, Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan and others. We are also among the countries that support efforts aimed at making the Middle East a region free from weapons of mass destruction," he declared.

Sheikh Khalifa stated that economic growth is not an end but rather a means to make life more balanced and moderate, reiterating that a development that does not integrate the cultural dimension is not sustainable.

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also spoke on the occasion of the 46th National Day, where he said that the 46th anniversary of the establishment of the Union comes at a time UAE has become more stable and powerful.

He attributed the country's stability to the noble legacy passed down through the years and shaped the vision of the founding fathers who instilled values of patriotism and love for the homeland.

"We have already embarked on the UAE Centennial 2071 Strategy, which is a unique, future-oriented, long-term government plan aimed at sustaining UAE’s development into its 100th anniversary, charting a path and laying a solid foundation for the future of the UAE. Our objective is for future generations in the UAE to lead happier lives in a thriving environment with abundant opportunities, more connectivity and global influence," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

He also noted that many people think that "we are just dreaming, but we remind these people of the fact that our Union started as a dream at the hands of visionary people," referring to the late Sheikh Zayed and his brother, late Sheikh Rashid.

The Sheikh also stated that Emirati people are the backbone of the country and the state’s most cherished asset.
Similarly, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, spoke on the National Day where he described the 2nd of December as a day that witnessed the establishment of a country that would become, within just a few decades, a model of successful state building and a fine example of a united and cohesive nation.

He reiterated that: "We will save no effort to foster and strengthen our unity and cohesiveness. As we renew this solemn pledge, we realize that our unity is the source of our strength in the face of adversities, and the point from which we move into building and growing our nation."

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that amid all the challenges facing nations around the world, maintaining stability is more pressing than ever.

"This is the path that our country will take so that it remains young and prosperous, so that its people enjoy a life of peace and prosperity, so that we keep our country in the vanguard of great nations," he concluded.



Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
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Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)

Libya’s Government of National Unity has called for strengthening partnerships with Saudi Arabia in development projects.

The appeal came during a meeting on Thursday between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Amiantit Group.

The group is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacturing of pipes and tanks, offering innovative solutions for water management and infrastructure.

The meeting was also attended by a representative of Technical Link Services for Communications (TLS), a subsidiary of Etihad Salam Telecommunications, which specializes in communications and information technology solutions.

Discussions centered on strengthening Libyan-Saudi cooperation to advance infrastructure projects, stimulate investment in the industrial and agricultural sectors, and expand prospects for collaboration.

The meeting followed agreements with Libya’s Ministry of Housing and Construction on water infrastructure, specialized factories, and advanced water treatment solutions.

The agreements also included deals that aim to upgrade Libya’s communications infrastructure and modernize its IT and telecom services.

In January, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dbeibah had outlined Libya’s vision to strengthen cooperation with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia to attract international investment across various economic and development sectors.

He discussed with several Saudi officials ways to reinforce bilateral partnerships in oil, gas, and renewable energy, highlighting Saudi Arabia as a key partner in developing Libya’s oil infrastructure.


Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
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Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)

A Saudi-Emirati team arrived in Yemen’s interim capital Aden on an urgent mission to put in place executive mechanisms for the withdrawal of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces from the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and returning them under the control of previous forces under the direct supervision of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

The team will discuss arrangements related to the handover of positions to the National Shield Forces to ensure that the situation returns to the way it was before the escalation.

The step is in line with Saudi Arabia’s intense efforts to end the escalation in eastern Yemen, in rejection of any unilateral measures taken by the STC in Hadhramaut, which the coalition viewed as an attempt to impose a new status quo or drag the province into internal strife that threatens peace and stability.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the arrival of the team consolidates Riyadh’s rejection of activities that may create mistrust or deepen the divisions inside Yemen’s legitimate institutions.


UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
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UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and his accompanying delegation visited on Friday Saudi Arabia’s Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh.

He met with DGA Governor Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan. Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil was also present during the visit.

The officials discussed issues of mutual interest, including digital government development, support for innovation, and the enhancement of sustainable digital transformation ecosystems. They reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in digital enablement to support the Sustainable Development Goals and improve government sector efficiency.

The meeting addressed avenues for cooperation between the DGA and UN organizations, particularly in knowledge exchange, the development of digital standards, the enablement of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, the enhancement of digital capabilities, and the building of partnerships to improve the quality of digital services internationally.

Guterres was briefed on the DGA Innovation Hub, which houses a range of specialized laboratories and facilities, such as the Digital Inclusion Lab, Service Design Lab, Learning Experience Lab, and AI and Emerging Technologies Lab, along with other resources supporting innovation and the development of government digital solutions.

The DGA team presented an overview of the Kingdom's digital government strategy and progress in UN e-government development indicators, reflecting the maturity of the national digital experience and the advancement of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure.

Guterres commended the Kingdom's qualitative progress in digital government, stressing that the level achieved represents a leading international model and reflects a clear commitment to developing innovative and effective government services.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to support initiatives that foster an advanced digital future in service of global development.