Foreign Ministers Meet ahead of GCC Summit

Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
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Foreign Ministers Meet ahead of GCC Summit

Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.

The foreign ministers of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council held on Sunday a preparatory meeting ahead of the council’s upcoming 41st summit.

The meeting, which was chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif al-Zayani, was held virtually amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The talks covered the agenda of the summit and relevant recommendations on bolstering joint Gulf work in political, economic and social fields. The agenda will also tackle latest regional developments.

The summit is scheduled for January 5.

Sunday’s meeting included the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Qatar’s foreign minister was absent. He was represented by the minister of state for foreign affairs.

The Bahraini foreign ministry said that Zayani expressed his “complete confidence in the wise Saudi leadership and its central role in maintaining Gulf unity” and overcoming the current rift among its members.

He hoped that the row would be resolved so that a new phase of dialogue among Gulf countries would be established in order for them to achieve common goals.

He stressed the need to combat terrorism and end all regional conflicts and disputes through peaceful means, international agreements and the principle of good neighborliness.

Earlier this month, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammed Al-Sabah revealed that “fruitful” talks have been held to resolve the Gulf rift between Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt with Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had stated that resolving the dispute was within reach.

Bahrain will assume the presidency of the GCC in January.



Saudi Arabia Demands End to Israeli Violations in the Region 

Palestinians look at the damage of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians look at the damage of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia Demands End to Israeli Violations in the Region 

Palestinians look at the damage of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians look at the damage of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP)

Saudi Arabia condemned the ongoing violations committed by Israel, including forced displacement, unlawful annexation, settlement expansion, and repeated assaults on unarmed civilians, which it described as “blatant breaches of all principles of international law.”

Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila delivered the remarks before the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday. The council was meeting for a session on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.

Khothaila stressed the “Kingdom’s firm position that a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause cannot be achieved without ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and establishing an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.”

“The Kingdom calls on the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to halt the escalating Israeli crimes and violations in the region,” he added.

He urged “support for international efforts aimed at an immediate cessation of military escalation that threatens the security of civilians, as well as regional and international stability and peace.”