Saudi Arabia, Cyprus Discuss Joint Cooperation, Combating Terrorism

Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Cyprus Discuss Joint Cooperation, Combating Terrorism

Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)
Prince Faisal meets Cypriot officials in Nicosia. (SPA)

Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades held talks in Nicosia on Sunday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Discussions focused on cooperation between their countries and ways to develop it in all fields.

They also tackled elevating relations to broader horizons in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and to achieve the prosperity of both their countries and peoples.

The covered regional and international issues of interest and the efforts exerted towards them.

They stressed the need to intensify international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to transform the Middle East into a region that is free of weapons of mass destruction.

Prince Faisal also met his Cypriot counterpart, Ioannis Kasoulides, for talks on bilateral relations and ways to bolster them. They also discussed the importance of boosting investments between their countries.

Their talks covered bilateral and security cooperation and relations between Saudi Arabia and the European Union and the importance of developing them in all fields.

They addressed the Kingdom's role in preserving the environment through its Middle East Green and Saudi Green initiatives.

On regional developments, they underlined the importance of supporting all efforts aimed at ending the Iran-backed Houthi militias' humanitarian violations against the Yemen people.

They covered Saudi Arabia and Cyprus' efforts in combating terrorism and extremism in all their forms.

Saudi Arabia views Cyprus as a "bridge" between the Middle East and the EU, helping the 27-nation bloc "understand what’s going on" in the region, Prince Faisal said.

He stressed both his country and Cyprus have a "very, very strong alignment" regarding regional stability and terrorism "whether it is (Yemen's) Houthis or others."

He said both countries agree in the primacy of international law.

"If we do not all agree that international law is the primary guide of state relations, we risk the instability for all," the FM said. "I think it's important that we all stand together to defend the primacy of international law or state sovereignty, a rejection of interventionism of all sorts."



OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned on Sunday the continued crimes committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, most recently the shelling of a school sheltering displaced persons.

Seven Palestinians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured in the attack, which the OIC slammed as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, “to assume its responsibilities by putting an end to all Israeli crimes and violations, securing a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, ensuring sufficient and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and guaranteeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”

It further emphasized “the need to activate international criminal justice mechanisms to pursue and hold accountable all Israeli officials involved in committing these grave crimes and to ensure that they do not evade punishment.”


UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
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UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received in Abu Dhabi on Sunday French President Emmanuel Macron who is on a working visit to the UAE.

Meeting at the Zayed National Museum, the leaders discussed the historical and strategic relations between the UAE and France and explored opportunities to further strengthen ties, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, and culture, as well as renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and other areas aligned with the two countries’ shared vision for development and prosperity.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; a number of minister and senior officials, reported the UAE's state news agency (WAM).

The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the French President, which included a number of ministers and senior officials.

The UAE President hosted a luncheon in honor of Macron and the accompanying delegation.

Macron arrived in the UAE earlier on Sunday, where he was received at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several senior officials.


Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in the central Gaza Strip, providing immediate shelter with more than 250 tents for hundreds of recently displaced families. The move is part of the ongoing Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

Overseen by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, the camp was fast-tracked to support families whose temporary shelters were destroyed by recent severe weather, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Field reports indicate that heavy storms and flooding have decimated hundreds of tents across the region, significantly worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Affected families expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing the aid as a "lifeline" that restored a sense of security. Families noted that the new shelters have provided vital protection against the harsh winter conditions and volatile weather that had previously left them exposed during an arduous period of hardship.

This initiative is a continuation of the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to the Palestinian people. By providing essential relief and high-quality shelter, KSrelief aims to alleviate the suffering of families facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges.