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 Interior Minister Hails Security Forces for Successful Hajj Season

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Hails Security Forces for Successful Hajj Season

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz extended congratulations from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the personnel involved in implementing the Hajj security plans on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and the successful completion of this year's Hajj.

This includes members of the Ministry of Interior, the Presidency of State Security, and supporting military agencies from the Ministry of National Guard, the Ministry of Defense, and the General Intelligence Presidency.

Prince Abdulaziz met at the ministry's headquarters in Makkah on Sunday with senior officials, commanders of security sectors, Hajj security forces, and supporting military and security agencies in attendance.

He stressed that in line with the directives of the leadership, who provided all necessary means and ensured coordination among all government and security bodies, the approved plans for this year’s Hajj were successfully implemented, marking a continuation of ongoing development efforts.

Prince Abdulaziz praised the efforts of the security and military sectors participating in this year’s Hajj, commending their unity, sincerity, and dedication in the field.

Their work reflected a deep sense of national and religious responsibility as they honored the privilege of serving the pilgrims, he added.