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Palestinian President Aims to Boost Ties with Arab Countries

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File photo: AFP)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File photo: AFP)
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Palestinian President Aims to Boost Ties with Arab Countries

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File photo: AFP)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File photo: AFP)

Palestine agreed with Jordan and Egypt to form a joint committee to support President Mahmoud Abbas' call for an international peace conference to resolve the Mideast conflict, Fatah Vice President Mahmoud al-Aloul has announced.

Aloul told state radio that the international conference supports Palestinian diplomatic efforts to preserve the two-state solution's vision.

This came after Abbas met with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his first foreign visit in many months.

Abbas is seeking to launch a new political process in the region after the change in the US administration, as the Palestinian Authority (PA) intensified its coordination with the international quartet and the Arab world, as well as President-elect Joe Biden’s team.

Fatah central committee member Hussein al-Sheikh emphasized that the Palestinian-Jordanian-Egyptian meetings constitute a basic pillar in a joint action strategy in the region.

He indicated an agreement on an action plan that seeks to overcome differences with Arab states.

His statements confirm an Asharq al-Awsat report on Abbas’ attempts to coordinate Arab positions before the inauguration of Biden, and limit regional differences to support a new political process.

Following Biden’s victory in the US elections last month, the Authority immediately resumed coordination with Israel after a six-month freeze.

It also reassigned ambassadors to Arab countries after recalling them in protest at the normalization agreements, and said it was ready for negotiations with Israel without conditions.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry warned the international community of the impact of the current stage on the two-state solution, noting that the ruling right in Israel wants to implement its expansion plans at the expense of the Palestinians and their rights.

The ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the Israeli right and settlers are exerting all efforts to benefit from the remaining period of Donald Trump's term to ensure the current Israeli government remains in power.

They are also offering incentives to settlers at the expense of Palestinian land hoping to win their votes in any upcoming Israeli elections, reiterated the statement.

The Ministry warned that Israel continues with its expansion and settlement plans, as well as demolitions of dozens of facilities and homes in various parts of the country.

The statement indicated that settlement plans are still in action, led by right-wing and extremist settlers in the Israeli government and abroad, stressing the need to deal with the Palestinian cause seriously and forcing Tel Aviv to comply with international laws and regulations.

It concluded that the Palestinian people hold onto their rights and insist on taking practical steps towards achieving them, regardless of regional developments.

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Arab World

OIC-IPHRC Denounces Israeli Violations of Religious Freedom in Occupied Jerusalem

OIC-IPHRC Denounces Israeli Violations of Religious Freedom in Occupied Jerusalem
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OIC-IPHRC Denounces Israeli Violations of Religious Freedom in Occupied Jerusalem

OIC-IPHRC Denounces Israeli Violations of Religious Freedom in Occupied Jerusalem

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has unequivocally condemned the continued restrictions imposed by Israel, the occupying power, on the exercise of freedom of religion in occupied Jerusalem.

These measures include the prolonged obstruction imposed on Muslims to pray in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and also denying Christian worshippers access to their holy sites to perform obligatory religious rites.

The commission underscored that freedom of religion, including the right to manifest one’s religion in worship, observance, practice, and teaching, is a non-derogable fundamental human right under international human rights law, SPA reported.

The imposition of arbitrary and discriminatory restrictions on access to places of worship constitutes a serious violation of this right, as well as of the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

Such unjustified restrictions by Israel, the occupying power, violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law and undermine the dignity of individuals and communities by denying them the ability to freely practice their religion.

Any attempt to alter the legal and historical status quo of holy sites or to restrict access constitutes a violation of international legal obligations.

The commission calls upon the international community, including relevant United Nations mechanisms and international human rights bodies, to take appropriate measures to ensure accountability, safeguard the right to freedom of religion, and guarantee unhindered and non-discriminatory access to holy sites for all worshippers.

Arab World

Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
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Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)

Indonesia has called on the United Nations to investigate the deaths of three of its UNIFIL peacekeepers following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, a foreign ministry official said on Wednesday as relatives at home mourned their deaths.

The ministry's UN representative, Umar Hadi, called for the inquiry in a statement during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday.

"We demand a direct investigation from the UN, not just Israel's excuses," he said.

Indonesia said earlier this week that ongoing Israeli military operations have ‌placed UN peacekeepers ‌in Lebanon at grave risk.

The Indonesian peacekeepers were ‌killed ⁠in two separate incidents ⁠in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were also killed in Israeli strikes.

PEACEKEEPER'S RELATIVES MOURN

One of the peacekeeping troops, Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, was killed in an attack on Sunday. He is survived by a wife and one child, local media reported.

In his village in the city of ⁠Yogyakarta, his uncle Sumijan, 82, attended a family ‌gathering on Wednesday to pay his respects, ‌though he said his nephew's body had not yet been returned ‌to Indonesia.

"The kid was obedient, hard-working," he told Reuters. "Before he ‌was a soldier, he was in the business of selling songbirds. He was very disciplined."

Indonesian foreign ministry's initial reaction to Farizal's death on Monday drew criticism on social media, with many users complaining that it ‌did not identify the cause of the attack, describing it as "indirect artillery fire".

UN INVESTIGATION BLAMES ROADSIDE ⁠EXPLOSION

A roadside ⁠explosion appeared to strike the convoy of two Indonesian peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon on Monday, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Tuesday, citing the initial findings of an investigation.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that its review of an incident involving UNIFIL troops on Monday concluded that Israeli troops had not placed any explosive device in the area and had deployed no troops there.

Indonesia contributes over 2,700 uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping, among the largest contributors globally, the UN said in 2024.

Indonesia has pledged to contribute troops for potential deployment in Gaza as part of the UN-mandated multinational International Stabilization Force.

Arab World

Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
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Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)

A Yemeni maritime official said ports along the Arabian Sea are capable of becoming global logistics hubs, citing their competitive advantages and capacity to handle various types of commercial vessels, particularly container ships and general cargo vessels, as well as dry and liquid bulk carriers.

Dr. Nabil bin Aifan, acting director of maritime affairs in Mukalla in eastern Yemen, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Port of Mukalla is distinguished by its ability to receive all types of vessels.

He also described Saudi Arabia’s experience in developing the maritime transport and ports sector as “successful” at both regional and global levels, expressing hope that Yemeni ports — particularly Mukalla — would benefit from this experience, as well as from Saudi support for infrastructure projects in the country.

Roadmap

Mohsen al-Amri, Yemen’s transport minister, recently announced a roadmap focused on turning technical and economic studies into tangible projects, particularly regarding the ports in Hadramout, Shabwa and the Socotra archipelago, in addition to the expansion project of the Port of Mukalla, which is considered a key pillar of Yemen’s maritime activity.

Al-Amri pledged to work towards transforming Arabian Sea ports into global logistics hubs, in a move aimed at strengthening Yemen’s position on the international trade map.

Strong potential

Bin Aifan said the Port of Qana in Shabwa governorate has significant potential to become a successful commercial port, particularly in terms of its geographic location, depth, hinterland and the capacity of its berths and yards.

He also referred to a previous study he conducted on the Port of Aden and its strategic importance, noting that the port possesses global competitive advantages and, if properly invested in, could become one of the most prominent ports in the region and among the busiest in cargo handling.

“For example, the port’s geographical location links East and West, and ships need no more than four nautical miles to change direction and reach the pilot station,” he said. “It is also naturally protected from waves and from the northeast and southwest monsoon winds, enabling it to operate year-round without interruption. It lies just 105 nautical miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which around 21,000 ships pass annually.”

Sustaining operational capacity

According to a United Nations report cited by bin Aifan, the Port of Aden requires an investment package to maintain its current operational capacity, which has declined due to insufficient maintenance, weak infrastructure and limited institutional capacity.

The report also pointed to the absence of long-term investment plans, the lack of systematic integration of risk management into decision-making processes, as well as weak awareness of health, safety and environmental issues.

Six pillars

Bin Aifan outlined six main pillars for developing Yemeni ports, foremost among them the Port of Aden: infrastructure development, digital transformation, strengthening administrative and logistics systems, developing human capital, meeting safety requirements and protecting the environment, alongside the need for a comprehensive legal framework.

“The role of the private sector in the development process cannot be overlooked, as it is one of the key pillars of successful port operations,” he said, adding that experience has shown that assigning port operations to the private sector helps improve efficiency and enhance competitiveness.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s role, bin Aifan said there is a strong direction within the Kingdom to support infrastructure and economic projects in Hadramout in particular and Yemen in general.

“We hope the ports will receive a substantial share of this support, based on the Kingdom’s priorities and its successful experience in this field,” he stated.