Yemenis, Int’l Parties Welcome GCC Initiative for Intra-Yemeni Talks

Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
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Yemenis, Int’l Parties Welcome GCC Initiative for Intra-Yemeni Talks

Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s invitation for holding intra-Yemeni consultations was welcomed by international and Yemeni parties. In an official statement, the Yemeni presidency urged everyone to participate actively and positively.

Yemenis are looking forward to the consultations leading to results that will turn the page of the conflict and help chart a clear path to peace.

The Yemeni presidency welcomed on Friday the GCC’s announcement that it will host Yemeni consultations at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh, from March 29 to April 7.

It praised in a statement the GCC and Saudi-led Arab coalition’s sincere efforts to restore security and stability and achieve peace in Yemen, based on the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanism, outcomes of the national dialogue and relevant UN resolutions, mainly resolution 2216.

The presidency called on all Yemeni components to participate effectively and positively in the upcoming talks and join efforts to resolve the crises, end the suffering of Yemenis and start building the future of the next generations.

The United Nations also welcomed the initiative.

“I can tell you that the UN appreciates all initiatives to reach an inclusive negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Yemen,” said Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric.

“In that context, we welcome the Gulf Cooperation Council’s initiative to hold consultations among the parties to the conflict in Yemen in the coming weeks in support of the UN’s own efforts,” he added.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also welcomed the initiative announced by the GCC, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The OIC’s General Secretariat had called for supporting a political solution to the Yemeni crisis and encouraged dialogue between all Yemeni parties and the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, and appreciated all efforts, especially efforts of UN and Saudi Arabia for a ceasefire and advancing the political process.

OIC Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha praised the GCC initiative, which would bridge the rift between Yemeni brothers.

He called on all Yemeni parties to engage in this very important initiative to stop the bleeding of Yemeni blood and reach a political solution to end the conflict and advance the interests of the Yemeni people and in support of security and stability in the region.



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.