Kuwait Joins UN Security Council in 2018

The United Nations Security Council. (Reuters)
The United Nations Security Council. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Joins UN Security Council in 2018

The United Nations Security Council. (Reuters)
The United Nations Security Council. (Reuters)

Kuwait will join the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member in January.

The Gulf state will also chair the council in February.

Kuwait won its place at the council after a vote. It now replaces Egypt as the only Arab member at the council.

Kuwait will be joined by the Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Peru and Poland, succeeding Japan, Egypt, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay after their two-year temporary membership expired.

The Security Council is made up of 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms and five permanent powers: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The elected countries -- all of which were put forward by their regional grouping -- will begin their term on January 1.

Kuwait first joined the UN in 1963 and was granted membership at the Security Council in 1978 and 1979.

While pursuing a seat at the council, Kuwait vowed to follow up on the implementation of resolutions related to the region. It will persuade the other members to avert conflict and rely instead on diplomacy.



Qatar Says Cargo Vessel Coming from Abu Dhabi Attacked in its Waters

 Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 8, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 8, 2026. (Reuters)
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Qatar Says Cargo Vessel Coming from Abu Dhabi Attacked in its Waters

 Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 8, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 8, 2026. (Reuters)

A cargo vessel was attacked by a drone on Sunday in Qatari waters northeast of Mesaieed port as the ship travelled from Abu Dhabi, causing a limited fire that was contained, the Qatari Defense Ministry said.

No injuries were reported and the vessel continued its journey towards ‌the port.

The UK Maritime Trade ‌Operations (UKMTO) ⁠said earlier a bulk ⁠carrier had reported being struck by an unknown projectile while sailing 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Authorities are investigating the source of the projectile, UKMTO ⁠said.

Vessels in the area have been ‌advised to transit with caution.

Ships in the Gulf have been attacked by Iran since the US and Israel launched air ‌strikes on Iran on February 28.

The Strait of Hormuz, ⁠the ⁠vital energy-trade chokepoint that connects Gulf oil producers to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, has been virtually closed since.

Separately, a Qatari tanker crossed the Strait towards Pakistan on Sunday, while Washington continued to wait for Tehran's response to its latest proposals to begin peace talks.


Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

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 FM Receives Phone Call from Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

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 Saturday from Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The two officials discussed regional developments and ongoing efforts made by both countries to maintain security and stability.


Saudi Crown Prince Says Looking Forward to Working with Iraq’s Zaidi on Consolidating Ties

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Says Looking Forward to Working with Iraq’s Zaidi on Consolidating Ties

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent on Saturday a cable of congratulations to Ali al-Zaidi on his appointment as Iraq’s prime minister-designate. 

In the cable, he said he was looking forward to working with al-Zaidi on consolidating the fraternal relations between their countries and peoples and bolstering them in all fields. 

He wished him success in serving Iraq and its people. 

Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed sent a cable to Péter Magyar to congratulate him on his election as Prime Minister of Hungary.

He also congratulated him on the formation of a new government, its gaining the confidence of the National Assembly, and taking the constitutional oath.

The Crown Prince expressed his congratulations for success and prosperity to Magyar, and for continued progress and prosperity to the people of Hungary.