Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh Focuses on Boosting Gulf-Egypt Ties

Ministers at the meeting in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Ministers at the meeting in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh Focuses on Boosting Gulf-Egypt Ties

Ministers at the meeting in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Ministers at the meeting in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The foreign ministers of the Gulf and Egypt held talks in Riyadh on Sunday as the Saudi capital prepares to host the 42nd Gulf Coordination Council (GCC) summit on Tuesday.

The two sides tackled bilateral relations between the GCC and Egypt and ways to bolster them in various fields.

Sunday's meeting was chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

The gatherers reviewed regional and international developments and issues of common interest. They underscored their continued coordination and consultations in order to bolster the security and stability of the region and world.

GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf stressed that the meeting was held in recognition of the close relations that bind the Gulf and Egypt.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, he added that Gulf-Egypt ties are a foundation of security and stability in the region.

Consultations will continue between both parties to consolidate regional and world stability, he continued.

The Gulf, he stressed, is keen on building real partnerships with the world.

For his part, Prince Faisal said the upcoming GCC summit was being held at a critical time.

It will discuss several issues, especially the security of the region, he remarked.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri expressed his confidence that the summit will be a success.

The outcomes of the meeting will bolster peace and sustainable development and serve the aspirations of the Arab and Muslim nations, he added.

Egypt and the Gulf enjoy a strategic relationship, he stressed, stating that the security of the Gulf countries is indivisible to Egypt's and Arab national security.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement in Yemen

 The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement in Yemen

 The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire in Yemen, announced by Oman, aiming to protect international navigation and trade, the Kingdom's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

It reiterated its support for all effort aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen that would achieve security and stability in the country and region.

Oman said a day earlier that it mediated a ceasefire deal between Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis and the US.

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the US would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the militants had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

The ceasefire deal does not include sparing Israel, the Houthis said on Wednesday, suggesting their shipping attacks that have disrupted global trade will not come to a complete halt.

There have been no reports of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea area since January.

The Houthis have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the Palestinian group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The US military has said it has struck more than 1,000 targets since its current operation in Yemen, known as Operation Rough Rider, started on March 15. The strikes, the US military said, have killed "hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders".