Saudi-UAE Media Committee Discusses Mechanisms of Joint Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Information and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council met on Monday, September 16, 2019
Saudi Minister of Information and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council met on Monday, September 16, 2019
TT

Saudi-UAE Media Committee Discusses Mechanisms of Joint Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Information and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council met on Monday, September 16, 2019
Saudi Minister of Information and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council met on Monday, September 16, 2019

The Joint Committee for Media Cooperation of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council held Monday a meeting in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting aimed at developing and bolstering media strategies and activating joint programs, plans, and initiatives that meet the aspirations of the leadership and peoples of both countries.

It was held under the chairmanship of Saudi Minister of Media Turki al-Shabana and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan al-Jaber.

Parties discussed various joint media initiatives and programs that target uniting efforts to shed light on both countries’ positive image and developing and boosting media content, thus contributing to consolidating and enhancing joint action.

The Committee is part of the Saudi-UAE integration system in a number of developmental areas, activating the joint vision between the two countries and intensifying bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest.

It is one of seven joint integration committees that were established to implement a number of strategic and development initiatives and projects to achieve prosperity for both peoples.

The joint committees support uniting visions and ideas to create a better future for citizens in both countries and overcome obstacles in various areas to achieve common goals.

“We seek bolstering bonds of cooperation between us and supporting the media sector through a number of programs and projects that will contribute to the sector’s development,” Shabana said.

He added that the committee will also work on improving the quality of production between the two countries in a way that contributes to raising the level of audio-visual media work and the efficiency and competitiveness of social media.

“The presented initiatives provide us with a good vision towards the future of bilateral cooperation and help increase investment in the media sector,” the Minister explained.

Among the initiatives’ goals are stimulating the media market and understanding the habits of media behavior through the audience and developing it, he said.

Shabani noted that unifying the media message is of great importance and could be achieved through joint initiatives and events that strengthen the bonds between citizens of the two countries.



Arab, International Momentum to Support Lebanon Kicks Off with Macron’s Visit

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace (Reuters)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace (Reuters)
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Arab, International Momentum to Support Lebanon Kicks Off with Macron’s Visit

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace (Reuters)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace (Reuters)

The election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the designation of Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam to form the first government of the new presidential term have drawn unprecedented Arab and international attention. This growing interest is reflected in a series of high-level visits, starting with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Beirut on Friday.
While Spanish Foreign Minister and EU High Representative Josep Borrell visited Lebanese officials on Wednesday, coinciding with similar meetings held by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to arrive in Beirut on Saturday. Additionally, Arab and international officials are set to visit the Lebanese capital starting next week.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, former Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Antoine Chedid stated that Lebanon “is of great importance to the region and the world, and the changes happening in the country are part of broader regional transformations.”
“International interest in Lebanon didn’t begin today. It became evident during the recent Israeli war, when the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France played pivotal roles in achieving a ceasefire,” he remarked.
Chedid further noted that Macron’s visit will mark the start of a series of trips by international and Arab leaders expressing their firm support for Lebanon’s state institutions, including its president, government, army, and constitutional bodies.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented phase of international support for Lebanon’s presidency and state institutions,” he said. “What matters now is for Lebanon to embrace this support positively.”
Former minister Rashid Derbas highlighted that international attention to Lebanon “clearly indicates that the country has moved past its state of unrest and security disruptions and is no longer a platform for undermining regional stability.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Derbas said: “Macron’s visit, followed by the arrival of Arab and global leaders, restores confidence among Lebanese citizens. Electing a president and forming a government has reignited hope.”
He added: “This renewed openness paves the way for assisting Lebanon in investing in stability, development, and conflict resolution, steering the country away from chaos and disorder.”
Derbas stressed that certain factions, “particularly the Shiite duo, have failed to recognize regional changes and shifting power dynamics, clinging instead to rhetoric that clouds their judgment.”
He criticized their rejection of past opportunities, stating: “When the Shiite duo had strong leverage in choosing the president and forming the government, they dismissed all proposals, squandering opportunities until external forces imposed decisions on them.”
Derbas expressed hope for an end to the cycle of missed opportunities and constitutional violations, which he said have “isolated Lebanon from its allies under the pretext of sovereignty, while maintaining a rhetoric about liberating Palestine and weakening Israel.”
The decision by the Shiite duo (Amal Movement and Hezbollah) to boycott non-binding consultations has cast a shadow over the atmosphere as international and Arab officials prepare to visit Lebanon. Political analyst Toufic Hindi warned that the duo’s choice to boycott consultations “sends a discouraging message and does not align with the will of the Lebanese people or the intentions of Lebanon’s Arab and international allies.”
Hindi praised Aoun’s inaugural speech, describing it as “a source of hope for the Lebanese people and a signal of reassurance for the international community.” Similarly, he commended Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam for outlining a clear framework for state-building during his speech at the presidential palace.