Saudi Arabia Underscores Commitment to Yemen Truce

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Underscores Commitment to Yemen Truce

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia stressed on Friday its commitment to the truce in Yemen, while accusing the Iranian regime of manipulating the war-torn country for its own goals.

Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said: “Saudi Arabia positively welcomes the truce, which is what the Kingdom has always called for.”

He also demanded that it be implemented effectively on the ground.

Moreover, he tweeted that the Iranian regime’s talk of the truce and linking it to its attempts to end its own crises is a “cheap attempt to manipulate Yemen and its people.”

Tehran is exploiting the crisis to escape blame from its terrorist acts, said Prince Khalid.

“It is time for the Yemenis, all Yemenis, and us with them to stand united against the Iranian regime’s agenda of chaos, strife and destruction,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he slammed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif for blaming the Yemeni people for the attack last month on Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities.

In a televised interview with CNN in September, Zarif said that Tehran was not behind the attack.

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen had claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim that has been dismissed by Saudi Arabia, the United States and Europe, who have pinned blame on Tehran.

Asked by CNN if he believes that the Houthis were behind the attack, Zarif said that the militias had claimed to have carried it out.

"I cannot have any confidence that they did it because we just heard their statement," he added. "I know that we didn't do it. I know that the Houthis made a statement that they did it."



Gulf Foreign Ministers Discuss Unifying Stance on Regional, International Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
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Gulf Foreign Ministers Discuss Unifying Stance on Regional, International Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers after their meeting in Kuwait (KUNA)

Gulf foreign ministers met on Thursday to discuss key regional and international issues, including the Palestinian conflict and ongoing violations in Palestinian territories.

They called for an immediate ceasefire and a fair, lasting solution to the conflict. The ministers also reviewed security developments in Lebanon and other regional matters.

The discussions aim to prepare a unified stance for the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait next Sunday, where it will be presented to the leaders.

Led by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, the foreign ministers met to discuss boosting Gulf cooperation across various areas. They aimed to build on past efforts and continue advancing progress in different sectors.

GCC leaders will gather on Sunday to discuss key regional and international issues and strengthen Gulf cooperation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the 162nd preparatory meeting for the summit in Kuwait on Thursday.

The meeting focused on the Gulf's shared progress and ways to improve it, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and Lebanon. Ministers called for an immediate ceasefire and a fair, lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.

The meeting also reviewed reports on the implementation of decisions from the 44th GCC summit and discussed strategic relations with other countries and global groups.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Owaishiq, stated that the upcoming GCC summit will address key regional issues, in addition to military, security, and economic matters that impact Gulf citizens.

Thursday’s meeting was chaired by Al-Yahya, with heads of delegations from GCC member states in attendance, along with GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi.