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Assad Meets with UAE Rulers, Discusses Expanding Bilateral Relations

UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (WAM)
UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (WAM)
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Assad Meets with UAE Rulers, Discusses Expanding Bilateral Relations

UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (WAM)
UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (WAM)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a surprise visit to the UAE on his first trip to an Arab country since the Syrian conflict began in 2011.

Assad met with UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in Dubai.

The Syrian President also met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and they discussed prospects of fostering cooperation between the two countries.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed welcomed the visit of the Syrian President, which comes within the framework of the two countries' keenness to continue consultation and coordination on various issues of mutual concern.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince stressed that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with Syria to achieve the aspirations of both peoples towards stability and development.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Assad and his accompanying delegation, wishing goodness, peace, and stability to prevail in Syria and the entire region, state news agency WAM reported.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed several issues of common interest and emphasized the need to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country, in addition to providing political and humanitarian support for Syria and its people to reach a peaceful solution to all the besetting challenges.

The Crown Prince stressed that Syria is a fundamental pillar of Arab security and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people towards stability and development.

They also reviewed the two countries' position on all regional and international developments.

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Gulf

GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)

Gulf Arab states on Tuesday voiced their full support for Kuwait’s position in a maritime border dispute with Iraq, stressing the need for positive progress in demarcation talks and for Baghdad to respect Kuwaiti sovereignty.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the bloc’s 47th extraordinary ministerial meeting was held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, whose country holds the rotating presidency.

The ministers discussed developments concerning the demarcation of the maritime boundary between Kuwait and Iraq beyond border marker 162.

Albudaiwi said Kuwait's foreign minister briefed his counterparts on the latest developments with Iraq and the outcomes of recent discussions on the issue.

In a joint statement, GCC foreign ministers expressed “the full and unwavering support of member states for Kuwait’s position on the maritime boundary demarcation with Iraq.”

They also called for “positive progress in the ongoing talks and a firm commitment to all protocols agreed by the joint technical and legal committee” on the demarcation process beyond marker 162.

Albudaiwi added that the GCC ministers reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any infringement on Kuwait’s sovereignty, including over its territory, islands, highlands, and maritime zones.

GCC ministers also reiterated their firm stance on the ownership of the Durra gas field, reaffirming commitment to previous decisions made during the GCC’s 45th summit in December 2024.

The council emphasized that the entire Durra field lies within Kuwait’s maritime territory, underscoring that the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the divided zone shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia – including the Durra field – are jointly owned by the two countries.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia hold exclusive rights to exploit these resources, in accordance with international law and existing agreements between the two nations.

The GCC’s statement further stressed its resolute rejection of any claims by other parties to rights over the Durra field or the submerged area bordering the Kuwait-Saudi divided zone.