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UAE Opens Consulate in Morocco’s Laayoune

Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
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UAE Opens Consulate in Morocco’s Laayoune

Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry

The United Arab Emirates opened Wednesday its consulate general in Laayoune, southern Morocco, making it the first Gulf consulate in the Sahara.

UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the opening of the consulate in a speech via videoconferencing, reiterating that it reflects the long-standing historical relations and a strategic partnership between the two countries.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and UAE Ambassador to Rabat Saeed Ahmed al-Dhaheri.

The UAE Minister hoped the consulate will play an important role in exploring economic opportunities, expanding areas of understanding, and encouraging cooperation between the two countries.

“I would like to point out that this step is a reflection of the UAE's long-standing historical relations and a strategic partnership based on the highest levels established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Hassan II since 1971 and strengthened by the UAE's participation in the ‘Green March,” Sheikh Abdullah was quoted by WAM.

The minister added that these ties have been further strengthened in recent years, following the efforts of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, VP and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated his country's support to Morocco in its regional and international causes, noting that it is “a reflection of the sincere brotherly bonds and the fruitful cooperation and active solidarity that unite the UAE and Morocco.”

Moreover, Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE values the leading role of King Mohammed VI in coordinating and consulting with the UAE leadership to help achieve security, stability, and peace in the region.

The minister also indicated that this relates to exchanging views to reach a common vision through which both societies can live a decent life filled with optimism and hope, while overcoming the challenges that hinder development.

For his part, Ambassador Dhaheri said that the opening of a general consulate in Laayoune constitutes an opportunity to further motivate bilateral relations for effective and fruitful cooperation.

The diplomat added that the UAE consulate would strengthen bilateral relations at all levels of trade, economic, investment and cultural exchange between the two brotherly countries.

He stressed that the joint concern of the leadership of the two countries will further develop relations in order to serve and promote their common interests.

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Gulf

Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
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Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)

Libya’s Government of National Unity has called for strengthening partnerships with Saudi Arabia in development projects.

The appeal came during a meeting on Thursday between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Amiantit Group.

The group is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacturing of pipes and tanks, offering innovative solutions for water management and infrastructure.

The meeting was also attended by a representative of Technical Link Services for Communications (TLS), a subsidiary of Etihad Salam Telecommunications, which specializes in communications and information technology solutions.

Discussions centered on strengthening Libyan-Saudi cooperation to advance infrastructure projects, stimulate investment in the industrial and agricultural sectors, and expand prospects for collaboration.

The meeting followed agreements with Libya’s Ministry of Housing and Construction on water infrastructure, specialized factories, and advanced water treatment solutions.

The agreements also included deals that aim to upgrade Libya’s communications infrastructure and modernize its IT and telecom services.

In January, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dbeibah had outlined Libya’s vision to strengthen cooperation with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia to attract international investment across various economic and development sectors.

He discussed with several Saudi officials ways to reinforce bilateral partnerships in oil, gas, and renewable energy, highlighting Saudi Arabia as a key partner in developing Libya’s oil infrastructure.

Gulf

Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
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Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)

A Saudi-Emirati team arrived in Yemen’s interim capital Aden on an urgent mission to put in place executive mechanisms for the withdrawal of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces from the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and returning them under the control of previous forces under the direct supervision of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

The team will discuss arrangements related to the handover of positions to the National Shield Forces to ensure that the situation returns to the way it was before the escalation.

The step is in line with Saudi Arabia’s intense efforts to end the escalation in eastern Yemen, in rejection of any unilateral measures taken by the STC in Hadhramaut, which the coalition viewed as an attempt to impose a new status quo or drag the province into internal strife that threatens peace and stability.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the arrival of the team consolidates Riyadh’s rejection of activities that may create mistrust or deepen the divisions inside Yemen’s legitimate institutions.

Gulf

UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
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UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and his accompanying delegation visited on Friday Saudi Arabia’s Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh.

He met with DGA Governor Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan. Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil was also present during the visit.

The officials discussed issues of mutual interest, including digital government development, support for innovation, and the enhancement of sustainable digital transformation ecosystems. They reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in digital enablement to support the Sustainable Development Goals and improve government sector efficiency.

The meeting addressed avenues for cooperation between the DGA and UN organizations, particularly in knowledge exchange, the development of digital standards, the enablement of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, the enhancement of digital capabilities, and the building of partnerships to improve the quality of digital services internationally.

Guterres was briefed on the DGA Innovation Hub, which houses a range of specialized laboratories and facilities, such as the Digital Inclusion Lab, Service Design Lab, Learning Experience Lab, and AI and Emerging Technologies Lab, along with other resources supporting innovation and the development of government digital solutions.

The DGA team presented an overview of the Kingdom's digital government strategy and progress in UN e-government development indicators, reflecting the maturity of the national digital experience and the advancement of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure.

Guterres commended the Kingdom's qualitative progress in digital government, stressing that the level achieved represents a leading international model and reflects a clear commitment to developing innovative and effective government services.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to support initiatives that foster an advanced digital future in service of global development.