Two New Ministers Appointed in UAE Cabinet Reshuffle

UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohamed bin Zayed presided over the swearing-in of the two new Ministers of State - WAM
UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohamed bin Zayed presided over the swearing-in of the two new Ministers of State - WAM
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Two New Ministers Appointed in UAE Cabinet Reshuffle

UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohamed bin Zayed presided over the swearing-in of the two new Ministers of State - WAM
UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohamed bin Zayed presided over the swearing-in of the two new Ministers of State - WAM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Wednesday a cabinet reshuffle in the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs with two new ministers joining and two previous ministers appointed as diplomatic advisors.

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 presided over the swearing-in of the two newly appointed UAE Ministers of State.

"In the presence of Mohamed bin Zayed, we announced a mini cabinet reshuffle, as part of which Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar have been appointed as Ministers of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.

"Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash will be leaving to serve as diplomatic advisor to the UAE President and Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh will serve as cultural advisor to the UAE President," he announced.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE Government constantly introduces new policies and strategies to ensure it continues to be successful in the local and regional arenas as well as on the global stage, state news agency WAM reported.

"The prospects for our journey over the next fifty years are exceptionally promising and we look forward to many more national accomplishments supported by the hard work, diligence and commitment of our people," he added.

In recognition of their contributions, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid thanked Dr. Gargash and Nusseibeh for their service and presented them with the Order of the Union on behalf of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.



Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
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Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)

Qatar's chief negotiator voiced frustration over talks for a truce in Gaza in an interview with AFP, a month after Israel resumed its strikes on the Palestinian territory and another round of negotiations ended without a deal.

"We're definitely frustrated by the slowness, sometimes, of the process in the negotiation. This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day," Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said on Friday.

Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which came into force on January 19 and largely halted over a year of war triggered by Palestinian gunmen’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps.

Hamas has insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase to the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework.

Israel, which had called for an extension to the opening phase, resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Late on Thursday, Hamas signaled the group would not accept Israel's newest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the group said.

"We've been working continuously in the last days to try to bring the parties together and revive the agreement that has been endorsed by the two sides," the Qatari minister of state said.

"And we will remain committed to this, in spite of the difficulties," he added.