Israeli Foreign Minister to Make First Visit to UAE

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday that Lapid will visit the UAE on June 29-30. (Reuters)
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday that Lapid will visit the UAE on June 29-30. (Reuters)
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Israeli Foreign Minister to Make First Visit to UAE

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday that Lapid will visit the UAE on June 29-30. (Reuters)
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday that Lapid will visit the UAE on June 29-30. (Reuters)

Israel’s new foreign minister will head to the United Arab Emirates next week for the first-ever visit by a top Israeli diplomat to the Gulf country, the ministry said Monday.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s visit comes after the two countries normalized relations last year in an agreement brokered by the Trump administration, the first of four similar deals with Arab states.

Both Israel's new government and the Biden administration have said they hope to reach similar accords with other Arab states.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Lapid will visit the UAE on June 29-30, and will inaugurate an Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai.

Lapid was the driving force behind a new Israeli government sworn in just over a week ago that ended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's record 12-year rule. Netanyahu had held up the agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco as among his biggest achievements.



Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA

The member states of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) reaffirmed their confidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by electing it as Chairman of the Board of Directors for a third consecutive term (2025–2027) during the 29th meeting of the SMIIC Board of Directors, held in Madinah with representatives from 13 member countries.

The Kingdom’s election underscores its leadership in standardization efforts across the Islamic world, its effective role in fostering technical cooperation, and its commitment to strengthening quality infrastructure to support the economic growth of member states, SPA reported.

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Governor Dr. Saad Al-Kasabi expressed his pride in this show of confidence, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to continuing its support for SMIIC’s efforts and enhancing joint technical work through the development of a legislative framework for standardization activities.