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Gulf

Crown Prince Meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Sheikh al-Azhar in Cairo. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks in Cairo on Monday with Sheikh al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Tayeb.

The talks were held at the al-Azhar headquarters in Cairo, where the Crown Prince was received by a number of scholars.

Prince Mohammed and Sheikh Tayeb discussed cooperation between al-Azhar and Saudi Arabia in a number of issues of common interest.

The Crown Prince hailed the role of al-Azhar in spreading Islamic teachings and serving the Muslim nation.

The two officials stressed the importance of joint coordination in tackling challenges facing the Arab and Muslim worlds in order to preserve religious values, promote Islamic culture and highlight the principles of tolerance.

Sources from al-Azhar said: “The visit reflects the special ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the constant coordination between them on all issues that concern the Islamic and Arab countries.”

“The ongoing coordination between Cairo and Riyadh supports efforts to counter terrorism and extremism,” they told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Azhar announced that Prince Mohammed and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will inaugurate on Tuesday the renovation work at the al-Azhar mosque in Cairo.

Saudi Arabia had in 2014 issued a royal decree to renovate the mosque.

Al-Azhar said on Monday that the renovation was possible through a grant by late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and sponsorship of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

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Gulf

Fourth Bahraini Serviceman Succumbs to Wounds After Houthi Drone Attack

Fourth Bahraini Serviceman Succumbs to Wounds After Houthi Drone Attack
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Fourth Bahraini Serviceman Succumbs to Wounds After Houthi Drone Attack

Fourth Bahraini Serviceman Succumbs to Wounds After Houthi Drone Attack

The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) announced Friday the death of a fourth serviceman who succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a Houthi drone attack against forces stationed at Saudi Arabia's southern border.

In an official statement, the BDF identified the serviceman as First-Lieutenant Hamad Khalifa al-Kubaisi, who succumbed to the injuries while performing his sacred patriotic duties defending the southern borders of Saudi Arabia.

Kubaisi was a member of the BDF task force participating in the Arab Coalitions to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, actively participating in Operation Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope.

BDF General Command extended sincere condolences to the family of the fallen serviceman and wished a speedy recovery for those wounded due to the act of aggression.

Earlier, the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the attack, saying it constituted "a serious threat to the peace process and regional stability, including in Yemen."

The Council on the Houthis to end all attacks, reiterating concern at targeting civilian infrastructure in cities at the southern border of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement from Riyadh, the Coalition mourned those killed and claimed there had been attacks targeting an electrical distribution site and a police station on its southern border by "some Houthi elements."

Coalition spokesman Brig-Gen Turki al-Maliki said the leadership of the joint forces mourns the "heroic martyrs loyal to their religion and nation."

The leadership of the joint forces of the Coalition condemned the treacherous attack near the Saudi-Yemen border by some Houthi elements, Malki said.

He warned that last month's hostilities, including an attack on an electrical power distribution station and a police station in the border region, were "unacceptable" and "provocative."

"In line with the positive efforts being made to seek to end the crisis and reach a comprehensive political solution, the leadership of the joint forces of the coalition affirms its rejection of repeated provocations and reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place," Maliki said in a statement.

Gulf

UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attack on Southern Saudi Arabia

Houthis took advantage of the ceasefire to enhance their military capabilities, with Iran's support (Reuters)
Houthis took advantage of the ceasefire to enhance their military capabilities, with Iran's support (Reuters)
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UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attack on Southern Saudi Arabia

Houthis took advantage of the ceasefire to enhance their military capabilities, with Iran's support (Reuters)
Houthis took advantage of the ceasefire to enhance their military capabilities, with Iran's support (Reuters)

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the recent Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's southern border that left four Bahraini servicemen from the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen dead.

The Council warned in a statement Friday that the attack constituted a "serious threat to the peace process and regional stability."

It urged the Houthis to cease their "terrorist attacks" and expressed concern over the targeting of infrastructure in cities near the Saudi border.

The Council's members reiterated their apprehension about the impact of these actions on the broader area.

The statement urged all parties to honor their international and humanitarian law commitments.

The 15-member Council emphasized the importance of taking decisive steps towards a permanent ceasefire.

They expressed their support for efforts to achieve a political solution in Yemen that would alleviate suffering, endorsing the endeavors of the UN Envoy to Yemen to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the country.

Saudi Arabia and Oman are leading initiatives to persuade the Houthis to agree to a renewed truce in Yemen, expanding the ceasefire to include humanitarian issues and concluding with a roadmap to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced Thursday new sanctions against entities providing Iran with engines used to manufacture drones.

The sanctions included a Chinese company that supplied servomotors worth more than a hundred thousand dollars to the Houthis in Yemen.

Yemeni political and military observers believe the Houthis are not genuinely committed to reaching a peace agreement that would end the war, as they seem to be preparing for another round of conflict after receiving more weapons.

During a meeting in Riyadh, Yemen Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Sagheer bin Aziz asserted to the US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, that Iran continues to supply its Houthi militias with advanced weaponry.

During the discussions, bin Aziz highlighted the Houthi threats to the security of Yemen, the region, and international navigation.

According to Saba news agency, he further touched upon the implications these groups have on counter-terrorism efforts.

The official noted that Yemen's experiences with peace talks with the Houthi militia have been bitter at various stages, indicating that the militia adheres to a doctrine of violence and racial discrimination and consistently violates agreements.

The Armed Forces Chief accused the Houthis of persisting with hostile operations against cities, public facilities, military positions, and resistance forces despite the UN-sponsored ceasefire.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of “cowardly terrorist attacks” that took place on Friday in several provinces in Pakistan, killing and injuring dozens of people.

The Ministry reiterated Saudi Arabia’s firm stance on renouncing violence and terrorism, expressing full solidarity with Pakistan and its people.

The Ministry also expressed the Kingdom’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the Pakistani government and people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Gulf

Gulf Cooperation Council, Pakistan Sign Free Trade Agreement

GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
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Gulf Cooperation Council, Pakistan Sign Free Trade Agreement

GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Pakistan initialized a free trade agreement, the GCC said on messaging platform X on Thursday.

The agreement was signed by GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi and Pakistani trade minister Gohar Ejaz.

Al-Budaiwi stated that the preliminary free trade agreement (FTA) between the GCC and Pakistan comes in recognition of the importance of strengthening trade relations and economic cooperation with countries and international blocs, SPA reported.

The statement came during the signing ceremony of the preliminary FTA between the council and Pakistan, with the agreement being signed by both the GCC Secretary General and Pakistani Commerce Minister, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, on Thursday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

The GCC Secretary General also noted that this historic economic agreement represents an important turning point in cooperation and would contribute to growth and prosperity in a way that serves the common interests of both sides, as it emphasizes the vital importance of close cooperation between countries to strengthen economic relations.

Al-Budaiwi stressed that the GCC countries are proceeding with free-trade negotiations with other countries, aiming to open and enhance the prospects for trade and economic cooperation for the council member states regionally and internationally.

He also voiced his thanks and appreciation to the GCC negotiating teams and the General Secretariat for their efforts and dedication during the negotiation process.

Gulf

Political Committee of Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council Concludes Meeting

SPA
SPA
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Political Committee of Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council Concludes Meeting

SPA
SPA

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, chaired the second meeting of the Political Coordination Committee of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council in Manama on Thursday.
At the meeting's onset, the two parties evaluated their bilateral relations and deliberated on diverse methods to enhance and develop them bilaterally and multilaterally in the international arena.

The discussions were conducted within the Political Coordination Committee's framework. The parties examined numerous initiatives to deepen and strengthen cooperation between them, leading to more extensive horizons and fulfilling the leaders of both countries' aspirations and their peoples' interests, SPA reported.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Dr. Al-Zayani chaired the first meeting of the preparatory committee for the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council.

The progress made by the council and its committees in the past period was reviewed, and the latest developments and preparations for the third council meeting were discussed.
At the meeting, the committee evaluated the advancements achieved by the sub-committees and deliberated on the proposals presented during the council's second meeting in Manama on November 9th, 2021.

Additionally, they scrutinized a roster of upcoming initiatives projected to be launched at the third meeting of the council, along with a list of draft agreements and memoranda of understanding that will be signed between the parties during the meeting.

The two sides praised the cooperation and coordination between the sub-committees and working groups of the Coordinating Council, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this pace to achieve common goals.

At the end of the meeting, the minutes of the second Political Coordination Committee meeting and the first preparatory committee meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council were signed.

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from President of Chad

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from President of Chad

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Thursday written message from President of Chad Lieutenant General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The message tackled bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Chad and ways to bolster them in all fields.

The message was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji during a meeting with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi at the ministry in Riyadh.

The officials reviewed aspects of bilateral relations between their countries and discussed issues of common interest.

Gulf

Bahraini Crown Prince Receives Saudi Foreign Minister

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
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Bahraini Crown Prince Receives Saudi Foreign Minister

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa received Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Al Zaher Palace in Manama on Thursday.

The officials discussed bilateral relations, ways to strengthen and develop cooperation and coordination in various fields, and the latest regional and international events and topics of common interest.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain held a luncheon honoring the Saudi minister and his accompanying delegation.

Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati, Director General of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Office Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, and Chargé d'Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Bahrain Saleh Al-Otaibi attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Friday.

He was received at the airport by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani. They later held talks on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop cooperation and coordination in various fields.

Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia’s sincere condolences to Bahrain’s leadership and people over the martyrdom of military personnel participating in the “Operation Restore Hope” on the southern Saudi border, and extended the Kingdom's wish for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent on Wednesday a cable of condolences to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid over victims of a fire that broke out in a wedding hall in Nineveh.

He extended his deepest condolences and sincerest sympathy to the Iraqi president, families of the deceased, and the brotherly people of Iraq, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Rashid a similar cable.

A fire ripped through a packed wedding hall in northern Iraq late on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people.

Fire fighters searched the charred remains of the building in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, through Wednesday morning and bereaved relatives gathered outside a morgue in the nearby city of Mosul.

Gulf

Saudi Embassy in Tehran Celebrates 93rd National Day

Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
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Saudi Embassy in Tehran Celebrates 93rd National Day

Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)

Saudi Ambassador to Iran Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi hosted a reception on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The event, held under the theme “We dream and realize”, was attended by Iranian Minister of Oil Javad Owji and several ambassadors in Tehran.

Al-Anzi extended his congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the occasion.

National Day is a source of immense pride for the homeland, tracing its roots back to the unification efforts led by late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, he added.

He acknowledged the tremendous efforts to build a robust nation, guided by the principles of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed. This commitment has allowed Saudi Arabia to make significant progress towards a brighter future for its people, the Islamic nation, and all of humanity.

Gulf

Saudi FM Meets French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Meets French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Wednesday French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The officials discussed the latest Lebanese, regional and international developments.

They also tackled bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and France and means to bolster coordination in several fields.

Earlier on Thursday, Prince Faisal met with President of the Republic of Nauru, Russ Kun.

They reviewed the bilateral relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields.

The Saudi FM also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Vince Henderson.

The Riyadh talks focused on bilateral relations and ways to develop them in various sectors. They also discussed the latest developments in the regional and international arenas and the efforts exerted towards them.