GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia
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GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

The general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned on Friday Yemen’s Houthi militias for targeting civilians in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones, saying they are actions that threaten the security and stability of the region.

It also reaffirmed support for all measures taken by the Kingdom in preserving the safety and security of its territory.

GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf welcomed the statement issued by the ministerial group that included the US, China, France, Russia, Germany, Kuwait, Sweden and the European Union.

The statement had voiced concern about Houthi attacks against Marib, which undermines UN-led international efforts to end the crisis and further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Al-Hajraf expressed his hope that the position of these countries would contribute to creating the appropriate conditions to implement the call of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen to discuss steps and mechanisms for a permanent ceasefire in Yemen, building confidence, and resuming the political process.

These mechanisms, according to Al-Hajraf, are achieved by entering into serious consultations to reach a comprehensive political solution based on the three references represented by the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and Security Council Resolution 2216.

Al-Hajraf also confirmed that the GCC supports UN efforts on ending the Yemeni crisis through a political solution based on the three references.

He called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, take resolute measures to stop the Houthi attacks on Marib and to pressure the Houthis into engaging in the political process without delay.

He also urged it along with the UN to work on resolving the problem of the rundown Safer oil tanker, which is docked 60km north of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah and suffers from poor maintenance.



Oman's Sultan to Meet Putin in Moscow on Monday

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
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Oman's Sultan to Meet Putin in Moscow on Monday

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat, Oman January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani/File Photo

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said is set to visit Moscow on Monday, days after the start of a round of Muscat-mediated nuclear talks between the US and Iran.

The sultan will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the Kremlin said, Reuters reported.

Iran and the US started a new round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday to resolve their decades-long standoff over Tehran's atomic aims, under the shadow of President Donald Trump's threat to unleash military action if diplomacy fails.

Ahead of Saturday's talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. Following the meeting, Lavrov said Russia was "ready to assist, mediate and play any role that will be beneficial to Iran and the U.S.A."

The sultan's meetings in Moscow visit will focus on cooperation on regional and global issues, the Omani state news agency and the Kremlin said, without providing further detail.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade and economic ties, the Kremlin added.