Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE

 Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE

 Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union has strongly condemned the Houthi militia attempts to harm the people, territory and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This came in a statement following the union’s 32nd conference in Cairo on Friday, during which Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, the speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, led the Kingdom’s delegation.

The union condemned the recent missile and drone attacks by the Houthi militias, saying that they represent a direct threat to Arab and international peace and security.

The statement also affirmed the union’s full support for the right of the UAE sand Saudi Arabia to defend the integrity, sovereignty, citizens and security of their lands.

"No progress can be made to end the Yemeni crisis without stopping the hostilities carried out by the Houthi militias and putting an end to their repeated violations against Yemenis," the Arab parliamentarians stressed in their statement.

They also underscored the importance of cooperating to implement Security Council Resolution No. 2216 (2015), which bans the supply of arms to Houthis, as well as Arab League Resolution No. 8725 (2022), which calls for designating Houthis as a terrorist group.

They condemned the Houthi militias’ escalation and attempts to control Yemen by force and their disregard for the calls by the UN Security Council and the international community in this regard.

The Union underlined the need to free the Middle East region from weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons, as an effective means to help reduce the intensity of regional and international conflicts and disputes and achieve international peace and security.

It called for employing the advanced sciences of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Regarding Palestine, the Union reiterated its firm position of solidarity and permanent support for the Palestinian cause and right to establish an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.

The parliamentarians further stressed the importance of solving any Arab conflicts internally and preventing any regional interferences in Arab affairs to ensure the security and stability of the Arab region.



Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump chaired in Riyadh on Tuesday the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

The leaders then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement. They also oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields. They include:

A memorandum of understanding for energy cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and US Department of Energy, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

A memorandum of intent for the modernization and development of the capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces through future defense capabilities between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at the Saudi-US investment forum later, Crown Prince Mohammed said: “What we have signed today is part of larger ambition.”

“We hope to continue to build with you President Trump,” he added to the US leader who was among the guests. “We hope for $600 billion investments opportunities and hopefully raised to $1 trillion.”

Also announced were the following agreements:

A memorandum of cooperation in the field of mining and mineral resources between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and US Department of Energy.

A letter of intent to complete work and enhance joint cooperation on ammunition, training, support services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts, and education for the Saudi Ministry of the National Guard's land and air systems.

A memorandum of understanding between the International Partnership Program of the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US Department of Justice.

A letter of intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense regarding the development of the health capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces.

A memorandum of understanding for judicial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice.

An executive agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and NASA for cooperation on the Space Weather CubeSat on the Artemis II Mission.

A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.

A Protocol of Amendment to the Saudi Arabia-US Air Transport Agreement.

A memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi National Institute of Health Research and US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the field of medical research on infectious diseases.

A collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

A ‏collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Museum of Asian Art.

Prior to the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed had welcomed Trump at the Royal Court in the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

An official reception ceremony was held, featuring an Arabian horse escort for the presidential motorcade, a trumpet fanfare, as well as the rendition of the American and Saudi national anthems.

Following the ceremony, the Crown Prince escorted the president to the main reception hall, where both leaders enjoyed traditional Saudi coffee and exchanged greetings with members of each other’s delegations.

The Crown Prince then hosted an official luncheon in honor of Trump.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He will later visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.