Russia-Islamic World Meeting Kicks Off in Jeddah

The event includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, including ex-prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and religious figures from the Islamic world (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The event includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, including ex-prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and religious figures from the Islamic world (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russia-Islamic World Meeting Kicks Off in Jeddah

The event includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, including ex-prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and religious figures from the Islamic world (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The event includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, including ex-prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and religious figures from the Islamic world (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Strategic Vision Group meeting between Russia and the Islamic world kicked off on Wednesday in Jeddah under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Held under the theme “Dialogue and Prospects for Cooperation,” the meeting will include a broad participation of officials and scholars, and intellectuals from the Russian Federation and Islamic countries to discuss common issues and enhance cooperation in addressing the existing challenges.

The event includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, including former prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and many religious figures from the Islamic world.

This meeting comes within the framework of Russia’s efforts to strengthen its relations with the Islamic world, in light of the Kingdom’s initiative for dialogue between followers of religions and cultures.

Saudi Arabia is hosting this meeting for the second time after the fourth session was also held in Jeddah in 2008.

The group currently focuses on developing measures to strengthen long-term cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries and practical implementation of the strategic partnership.

The Group was established in 2006 under the supervision of Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov and Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev after the Russian Federation joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an observer member. The group held its first meeting in 2006 in Moscow, followed by the meetings in Kazan, Istanbul, Jeddah and Kuwait.

Ufa of the Republic of Bashkortostan hosted the last meeting on November 28-30, 2019, under the theme “Interfaith harmony ... The Experience of Russia and the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.”



Dozens Injured, Missing Following Explosion at Qatar’s Barzan Plant

This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017. (AFP)
This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017. (AFP)
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Dozens Injured, Missing Following Explosion at Qatar’s Barzan Plant

This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017. (AFP)
This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017. (AFP)

An explosion tore through Qatar's key natural gas export terminal Sunday night following an operational incident, causing a fire that hurt at least 54 people as another 18 were still missing.

QatarEnergy announced that the fire, which broke out after an operational incident during the start-up of operations at the Barzan plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, has been brought under control.

In a statement, it said the incident resulted in an explosion and fire at the plant, which is dedicated to meeting local gas needs, noting that emergency response teams were immediately deployed and were able to contain and extinguish the fire.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that a number of injuries resulted from the explosion.

The incident was caused by a technical malfunction during operation, with no leakage posing a risk to public safety, it stressed in a post on the X platform.


Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talks

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talks

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pushed for swift progress in US-Iran talks at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, as negotiations between the two foes began in Switzerland.

In a joint statement, the ministers called for a "swift and successful conclusion" to negotiations aimed at reaching a solution to outstanding issues that is "lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable", while taking into account regional concerns, particularly the security and stability of Gulf states.

The meeting also addressed the Israeli military escalation against Lebanon and stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultations to sustain the diplomatic track, mitigate the repercussions of the crisis, and restore security and stability across the region.

Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan.


Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
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Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a meeting in Cairo with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Türkiye's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, and Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The participants discussed a range of regional developments, with a particular focus on the situations in Sudan and Libya, and reviewed ongoing joint efforts to promote security, stability, and political solutions in both countries.

The meeting was also attended by Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan, Adviser to the Saudi Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini.