عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

France Stresses Support for Saudi Initiative on Yemen, Condemns Houthi Attacks

The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
TT
TT

France Stresses Support for Saudi Initiative on Yemen, Condemns Houthi Attacks

The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).

France has stressed its support for the Saudi peace initiative in Yemen, and condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi territories, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry following a meeting between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Paris.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan met over the past two days with a number of French officials, including the adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, Ambassador Emmanuel Bonne, and French senators.

The French President is expected to visit Saudi Arabia in October, according to well-informed French sources.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that the two parties were seeking to boost their relations in various economic and investment fields, and work on giant projects in Saudi Arabia and France.

Discussions during Prince Faisal’s meetings in Paris also touched on enhancing cooperation in the educational and health sectors and the fields of innovation and technology, as well as exchanging expertise and combating Covid-19 and its variants.

The Iranian nuclear program prevailed over talks on regional affairs. In its statement, the French Foreign Ministry said that Le Drian underlined the need for Tehran to return to the nuclear negotiations, but reaffirmed “France’s commitment to regional security and stability and its determination to respond to issues of concern to France and Saudi Arabia.”

On Yemen, the French minister was keen to stress the “firm condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against Saudi territories,” and the need to stop hostilities, “proceed with a full and comprehensive political solution, and support the peace initiative presented by Saudi Arabia in March.”

The two sides discussed the situation in Lebanon, as Paris is preparing to hold a virtual conference on Aug. 4, a year after the port explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital, in order to provide humanitarian support to the people who are suffering from deteriorating crises.

Paris is seeking to guarantee the widest participation in order to maximize international support. France had hosted two similar conferences last year, and the French Ministry of Defense organized a meeting in mid-June to provide support to the Lebanese army.

The French Foreign Ministry said that Le Drian emphasized the “urgent” need for Lebanese officials to form a new government “capable of carrying out reforms.”

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

GCC Military Chiefs Discuss Stronger Defense Cooperation, Iranian Attacks

Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
TT
TT

GCC Military Chiefs Discuss Stronger Defense Cooperation, Iranian Attacks

Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's meeting in Manama. (BNA)

The chiefs of staff of the armed forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states met during a session of the Supreme Military Committee in Manama on Tuesday to discuss ways to strengthen joint military cooperation.

According to the Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Bahrain’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Dhiab Al Nuaimi, and attended by the chiefs of staff of the GCC armed forces, Assistant Secretary-General for Military Affairs at the GCC Secretariat Maj. Gen. Isa Al Muhannadi, and Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al Balawi.

In his opening remarks, Al Nuaimi said the GCC countries were facing “systematic and painful Iranian aggression” targeting their states.

He accused Iran of deliberately attacking civilians and jeopardizing maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the actions had harmed the interests of GCC countries and the wider region while endangering innocent lives in violation of international treaties, conventions, and law.

The developments required stronger Gulf solidarity and a united response to confront the hostile attacks, he urged.

Al Nuaimi also called for establishing a comprehensive practical framework for joint military cooperation, built on the Gulf states’ shared ties, common objectives, and existing agreements.

He hoped that the meeting would serve as a launching point for stronger collective action, including coordinated measures, faster response mechanisms, and greater cooperation to safeguard the security and stability of GCC countries and the region.

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

Separately, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), led by its Secretary-General, Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, participated in the Fourth United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism, which opened at UN headquarters in New York under the theme: “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism, notably through Member States’ Leadership and Action.”

The conference brought together senior officials, policymakers, and representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, and counterterrorism experts.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the coalition’s participation reflects its ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation, unify global counterterrorism initiatives, and deepen strategic partnerships with member states and international organizations.

These efforts aim to advance effective policies and practices for combating terrorism and extremism while enhancing regional and international security.

The opening session featured remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other senior international officials, focusing on strengthening global commitment to counterterrorism through a comprehensive, multilateral approach involving governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

Al-Moghedi said the coalition’s participation underscores its role as an active international partner in global counterterrorism efforts.

Evolving international security challenges require closer coordination among countries and regional and international organizations, stronger mechanisms for joint action, and greater efforts to prevent the spread of terrorism while addressing its root causes, he stressed.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s condemnation of the continued hostile Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as those targeting maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Cabinet said the attacks are a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain and its full support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty and security.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the telephone call Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from French President Emmanuel Macron. They reviewed areas of mutual cooperation between their countries, regional and international developments, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's participation in regional and international meetings, as part of its commitment to strengthening cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries, advancing multilateral action toward further progress across various fields, and enhancing collective response to current challenges in the region and the world.

The Cabinet expressed its support for the outcomes of the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States, including the affirmation of the strategic partnership between the two sides and continued coordination and consultation on international issues of mutual interest that will help in supporting regional security and stability and protecting common interests.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet reviewed infrastructure development plans across the Kingdom aimed at supporting continued growth.

It noted the launch of a new phase of the Developed Districts Program in Makkah and the commencement of the fourth package of projects under the Riyadh Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program. The initiatives are expected to keep pace with urban expansion, boost the urban landscape, improve quality of life, and strengthen transportation services.

Ministers are seen during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Cabinet commended the launch of the inaugural Saudi Water Week as a national, regional, and international platform for advancing global dialogue on water issues, highlighting Arab priorities, and reinforcing the Kingdom's pivotal role in the water sector.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's continued efforts to develop practical solutions and forge strategic partnerships that contribute to achieving water security, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, and accelerating collaborative efforts toward a more sustainable water future.

It further commended the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority's winning of the 2026 UN Public Service Award, noting that the recognition adds to the Kingdom's growing record of achievements in leveraging data and advanced technologies to support development and build a sustainable, knowledge-based digital economy.

The Cabinet praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and the effectiveness of its proactive security plans in combating drug trafficking and apprehending smugglers and dealers. It also hailed the ministry's achievements in confronting this scourge and mitigating its dangers.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday with his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed.

They reviewed relations and defense cooperation between their countries.

They discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts to boost security and stability in the region. The ministers also tackled issues of common interest.