Egypt, UAE Reject Foreign Interventions in Internal Affairs

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, confers the Order of Zayed medal to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, confers the Order of Zayed medal to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
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Egypt, UAE Reject Foreign Interventions in Internal Affairs

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, confers the Order of Zayed medal to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, confers the Order of Zayed medal to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Egypt and the UAE have denounced foreign interventions in the regional countries' internal affairs – they renewed their rejection of regional interventions as they decried the latest Turkish offensive on the northeast of Syria.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed the Riyadh Agreement signed between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council.

They praised the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia and the efforts of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to bring the Yemeni parties to the dialogue table.

During their meeting, they also commended the UAE's efforts to support the agreement in Yemen.

Moreover, they affirmed their keenness to preserve Yemen's unity and sovereignty, as well as serve the interests of Yemenis, restore the country's security and stability, and stop foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Both sides discussed the latest developments to the Palestinian issue, which is the central issue for Arabs, and stressed the importance of reaching a just, comprehensive and lasting outcome in accordance with the two-state solution.

They also underpinned the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on its June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.

Further, they expressed their keenness to strengthen their relations and broaden the horizons of development and progress, by intensifying their bilateral consultation and coordination on issues of common interest and jointly exploring opportunities available, to achieve the hopes and aspirations of their peoples.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the remarkable growth in their trade that reached a historic high, amounting to around USD5.5 billion in 2018 -- they also stressed the importance of enhancing their bilateral economic cooperation and creating an investment environment that is attractive to investors from both countries.

Both sides expressed concern at the spread of extremist militias and armed terrorist groups in Libya, in light of the country's continuing division while stressing the importance of combating terrorism.

Therefore, they called on all parties to resume the UN-sponsored political process and reaffirmed their full support for the efforts of Ghassan Salame, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, to find a solution to this crisis.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction at the progress of the recent Renaissance Dam Negotiations held in Washington at a ministerial level, highlighting the importance of reaching an agreement that secures the rights of the Nile Basin countries and prevents harm to their water interests.

They also stressed the importance of reaching a final solution to this issue by mid-January 2020, according to the agreement reached the ministerial meetings in Washington.

Moreover, UAE and Egypt will establish a USD20 billion investment fund, which will be run through Egypt's newly established sovereign wealth fund and Abu Dhabi Development Holding Co.

Sheikh Mohamed launched the fund, along with Sisi, during Sisi's two-day visit to the UAE. Also, the Crown Prince bestowed the Order of Zayed, the UAE's highest civilian honor, to the Egyptian president.



Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Israel’s 'State Land' Decision in West Bank 

The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Israel’s 'State Land' Decision in West Bank 

The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye strongly condemned on Tuesday Israel's decision to designate lands in the occupied West Bank as so-called "state land".

They also slammed it for approving procedures for the registration and settlement of land ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967.

They condemned the moves as “a grave escalation aimed at accelerating illegal settlement activity, land confiscation, entrenching Israeli control, and applying unlawful Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”

These measures are “a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as a violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2334,” the FMs said in a statement.

“The decision also contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which underscored the illegality of measures intended to alter the legal, historical, and demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the obligation to end the occupation, and the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force,” they added.

“This step reflects an attempt to impose a new legal and administrative reality designed to consolidate control over the occupied land, thereby undermining the two-state solution, eroding the prospects for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian State, and jeopardizing the attainment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region,” they warned.

The foreign ministers reiterated their “categorical rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at altering the legal, demographic, and historical status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

They stressed that such policies are “a dangerous escalation that will further heighten tensions and instability in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the region as a whole.”

They called on the international community “to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations, ensure respect for international law, and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing their independent and sovereign State based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”


Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah carried out on Monday a field inspection tour to assess operational and service readiness for the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque, and several other service sites in the holy city of Makkah.

Accompanied by the authority’s CEO Eng. Ghazi Al-Shahrani, the tour included a review of field operations, crowd management plans, and the flow of Umrah performers and worshippers.

It addressed coordination and integration mechanisms among relevant entities, as part of ongoing efforts by the ministry, the authority, and partner organizations serving pilgrims.

Al-Rabiah stressed that these efforts are carried out in line with the directives of the Kingdom's leadership and reflect the country's commitment to caring for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

The level of readiness and the services provided during Ramadan are part of ongoing development efforts and they support the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to boost the quality of services and the overall experience of pilgrims, he added.


SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and European Union announced on Monday the alignment of their efforts to improve livelihoods in Yemen.

These efforts focus on investment in economic recovery programs and reforms, job creation, strengthening state institutions, and boosting community resilience, including in the areas of food security, agriculture, electricity, water, and environmental sanitation.

Their strategic partnership is in line with efforts to strengthen international cooperation to support Yemen.

Supporting improved access to water in the Marib governorate is the first outcome of the strategic partnership.

The two parties signed in Riyadh an agreement with the SILA Foundation to implement a SAR9-million project, “Enhancing Water Security in Marib Governorate,” covering nine areas across the districts of Marib Al-Wadi, Marib City, and Harib. Over 350,000 people will benefit from the project.

The agreement reflects the parties’ commitment to joint action and continuous coordination to improve living conditions for all Yemenis.

The SDRPY and EU agreed to continue coordination and explore additional opportunities for cooperation in the water sector, as well as joint development projects and initiatives in other sectors.