UN Experts Commence Investigation into Aramco Attacks

Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
TT

UN Experts Commence Investigation into Aramco Attacks

Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Four international experts have commenced work in Riyadh, Buqayq and Khurais to investigate the evidence and used weapons in Aramco attacks. They would conclude their visit on Sunday or Monday.

Saudi Arabia has informed the 15 members at the Security Council in addition to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that it will take all necessary measures according to the international law to deal with the targeting of Aramco facilities.

Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Abdullah al-Moallemi sent a letter to the President of the Security Council and Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, upon the Saudi government’s guidelines.

The purpose of the letter is to draw the attention regarding the terrorist attack against Aramco facilities in Buqayq and Khurais on Sep. 14, 2019.

Moallemi noted that the attacks didn’t target the Kingdom only, but the international energy supplies and the global economic security, affirming that Saudi Arabia has the capability to protect its vital economic and oil assets as well as its national possessions, residents, and citizens.

The letter stated that “all indications are that the weapons used in the Aramco attack are Iranian,” and stressed that Saudi Arabia will take measures to respond to the attacks in accordance with international law.

It also included a statement issued earlier by the Saudi Interior Ministry on Sep. 16 calling for the UN and international experts to participate in the investigation into the attack.

Further, reliable sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the experts' group consists of Christina George and Rob LaFeber from the committee entrusted with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 on the nuclear program of Iran and Wolf Christian Pace and Henry Thompson from the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee.

The team would visit the facilities on Friday and Saturday, and its mission includes examining ruins of drones and the used cruise missiles in the attacks.



Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
TT

Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Gideon Saar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi where the talks focused on bilateral relations between the two countries, WAM news agency said on Tuesday.
Discussions also addressed the latest developments in the region, particularly the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and the regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the urgent importance of advancing a serious political horizon to resume negotiations for achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, adding that this would contribute to establishing stability, achieving sustainable security in the region, and ending the escalating violence.
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and prevent the expansion of conflict in the region, noting that the priority is to end tension and violence, protect civilian lives, and make every effort to facilitate the flow of urgent humanitarian aid, added WAM.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the Middle East is experiencing unprecedented tension and instability, requiring enhanced collective international efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence while adopting a path of peace, prosperity, and development for the benefit of its people.
He reiterated the UAE's support for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to broker a prisoner exchange agreement that could lead to a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the safe and sustainable delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
He underlined that building peace in the region is the key to establishing lasting stability, sustainable security, and fulfilling the aspirations of its people for comprehensive development and a dignified life.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, highlighting the nation's longstanding solidarity with Palestinians over the decades.