King Salman … Pioneering, Historic Role in Gulf Unity, Cooperation

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman … Pioneering, Historic Role in Gulf Unity, Cooperation

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz enjoys great respect from the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council for his “pioneering and historic role in preserving the unity of the council.”

A report by the Saudi Press Agency said that King Salman enjoys close ties with the leaders of the council.

Riyadh will host on January 5 the 41st GCC summit.

The report added that King Salman presented his vision of the council on 2015, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s influential role in supporting the GCC. The vision outlines a strategy to achieve unity among the Gulf states and seeks a better future away from political and economic hurdles.

His vision stems from his belief in the strength and influence of the Gulf and its role in the region and world.

Reflecting the importance he places on the Gulf, King Salman embarked in December 2016 on a tour of the region, which included the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, added the report.

The tour underlined his keenness on dialogue over issues of common interest and regional and international developments.

The tour reflected the spirit of the historic brotherhood between the Gulf countries and peoples, said the report.

The history of the Gulf attests to Saudi Arabia’s leading role in strengthening Gulf relations in line with the GCC’s higher goal of “achieving coordination among its members in all fields, until they are united.”



UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
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UAE Expresses Deep Concern over Escalating Violence in Sudan

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan has expressed the UAE’s deep concern over violence in Sudan, particularly against women, children, and the elderly in Al Jazirah state, which resulted in the killing and wounding of a number of innocent civilians, state news agency WAM reported.

He underlined that the UAE is alarmed by reports of sexual violence against women and girls, the high risk of famine, and the continued suffering and displacement of thousands of civilians.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan called on the Sudanese warring parties to return to dialogue, respect their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and the mechanisms proposed by the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) related to facilitating safe, urgent, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. His also underscored the necessity for all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The Minister emphasised the importance of protecting civilians according to international humanitarian law, and the need to ensure that they are not targeted during conflict.

In this regard, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering position in calling for an immediate ceasefire, stressing its support for efforts to achieve national consensus toward forming a civilian-led government, in a way that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people for development and prosperity.