Yemen’s Islah Party Says Riyadh Meeting Aids in Freeing Country from Iranian Militias

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (SPA)
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Yemen’s Islah Party Says Riyadh Meeting Aids in Freeing Country from Iranian Militias

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (SPA)

Mohammad al Yadoomi, head of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform, otherwise called al-Islah party, described his Wednesday meeting with Saudi and Abu Dhabi crown princes as exceptional and a step closer towards freeing Yemen from the influence of Iran-backed militias.

Yadoomi told Asharq Al-Awsat in a phone call interview that the visit served in erasing doubts had by the reformist party.

Thanking both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan for their countries’ efforts into reaching a solution in Yemen, Yadoomi said that the visit cleared up the overall picture.

When asked about his party’s role in the coming stage, Yadoomi stressed that it will carry on delivering the same message it always did.

"The party will stand with the people. It is also a major supporter of upholding legitimate authority led by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi,” he said.

"The situation in Sana’a is tragic for the civilians-- Houthi militias have subjected them to isolation, abuse and criminal acts.”

In a statement issued by al-Islah, the party praised the historic role played by the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, in terms of backing the war-torn country’s security, unity and stability.

The statement also labeled Saudi Arabia and the UAE as integral parties to sustaining security and stability for the Arab region in general and Gulf states in particular.

The statement stressed the importance of the role of the Arab coalition in supporting political legitimacy and state institutions in Yemen, and efforts to countering Iranian expansionist ambitions.

For his part, Yadoomi personally showed gratitude towards efforts exerted by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.

The meeting between the crown princes and the head of the al-Islah party reflects Saudi keenness to unite all parties in Yemen with coalition countries to support legitimacy in Yemen.

Since Iran-backed militias overran the internationally-recognized government headed by Hadi, Saudi Arabia ensured playing a pivotal role in protecting the Yemeni people from crimes committed by Houthi militias.

Saudi Arabia has been quick to provide support and assistance to all Yemeni national sectors devastated by coup militias, which include "health, environment and economy."

Over the course of two years, Saudi Arabia has spent at least $8 billion in humanitarian relief, development and government assistance.

More so, Saudi aid programs have undertook the direct care and rehabilitation efforts of over 2,000 Yemeni children who were recruited by Houthi militias and dispatched to fight zones. 



Mohammed bin Salman Welcomes Egypt’s Sisi in Jeddah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman Welcomes Egypt’s Sisi in Jeddah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Jeddah on Monday.

Sisi kicked off a “fraternal” visit to Saudi Arabia as part of the two countries’ “keenness on bolstering the historic brotherly relations that bind them.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)

The visit aims to continue consultations and coordination over various regional and international issues of interest, said the Egyptian presidency.

Crown Prince Mohammed also held an iftar banquet in Sisi’s honor.


GCC Secretary-General Meets Lebanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary-General Meets Lebanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi met Lebanon's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ali Karanouh in Riyadh on Monday.

The two sides discussed several topics, reviewing relations between the GCC and Lebanon and ways to develop them to achieve mutual interests, SPA reported.

They also addressed the latest regional and international developments and conditions.

Albudaiwi noted that the GCC has accepted an invitation to attend the International Conference in Support of the Lebanese Army and Security Forces, scheduled to take place next month in Paris, the capital of France.

He added that this participation reaffirms the GCC’s steadfast support for the brotherly Lebanese Republic and its commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability.


Saudi Arabia Stresses importance of Iraq Respecting Kuwait’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity 

Saudi Arabia Stresses importance of Iraq Respecting Kuwait’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity 
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Saudi Arabia Stresses importance of Iraq Respecting Kuwait’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity 

Saudi Arabia Stresses importance of Iraq Respecting Kuwait’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity 

Saudi Arabia reiterated on Monday its “categorical rejections of any claims of rights by any other party in the divided submerged area within its designated boundaries with Kuwait.”

It underscored “the importance of Iraq respecting Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and honoring bilateral and international agreements,” said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.

It added that Saudi Arabia was monitoring with “deep concern the coordinate lists and a map filed by Iraq with the United Nations.”

“The submissions include encroachments that extend to large parts of the divided submerged area adjacent to the Saudi-Kuwaiti divided zone.,” it noted.

“The Kingdom shares with Kuwait ownership of natural resources in that area under agreements concluded and in force between them. Those agreements are based on the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” stressed the statement.

“The coordinates also violate the sovereignty of Kuwait over its maritime areas and its maritime elevations, including Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij,” it remarked.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry said Iraq's claim infringes on Kuwait’s sovereignty by placing Kuwaiti areas, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, in Iraqi territory.

Saudi Arabia called on Iraq to comply with all relevant United Nations resolutions, especially United Nations Security Council Resolution 833. The resolution demarcated the land and maritime boundary between Kuwait and Iraq.

The ministry called for “reason, wisdom and dialogue to prevail in resolving differences,” urging “serious and responsible engagement in line with the rules and principles of international law and good neighborliness.”

Qatar, the United Emirates and Oman have issued statements in solidarity with Kuwait.