Egypt, UAE, Israel Discuss Repercussions of Ukrainian Crisis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
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Egypt, UAE, Israel Discuss Repercussions of Ukrainian Crisis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)

In their first tripartite meeting, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Sharm El-Sheikh on Tuesday.

The talks addressed the repercussions of global developments, especially concerning energy, market stability, and food security.

Media and political sources said that the meeting also included a discussion of Iranian influence.

Sheikh Mohammed and Bennett arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, and each held a bilateral meeting with Sisi, according to Emirati and Israeli media, followed by the tripartite meeting.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said the tripartite meeting tackled the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially its impact on energy and food security.

The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) said the meeting discussed ways of "enhancing relations between the three countries, and the importance of cooperation and coordination to drive development and enhance stability in the region and bolstering global energy security and market stability."

The meeting came about a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, which caused a significant hike in oil prices amid security concerns in several countries.

Egypt is facing significant challenges in energy and food security after the war in Ukraine put pressure on emerging market economies, which prompted Cairo to devalue the currency by 14 percent. Moscow and Kyiv are Egypt's leading two wheat suppliers.

The war also led to a decline in Egypt's tourism revenues from Russia and Ukraine to the Red Sea resorts.

The tripartite meeting also expressed the political desire to address security issues, namely the escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in the region and the related negative repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and post-crisis arrangements.

They addressed the outcomes of the Iranian nuclear agreement talks and their impact on various political and security matters.

International relations and regional security expert Iman Zahran told Asharq Al-Awsat several indicators favor establishing tripartite cooperation and economic coalitions, most notably concerning the Egyptian-Israeli partnership in energy and the commercial partnership between the three countries.

In Tel Aviv, the tripartite meeting was announced a day in advance, but the government did not comment.

Bennett's office issued an official statement about the visit, noting that Sisi accompanied him to the airport.

The statement read that the PM met with Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed, noting that "against the backdrop of the recent developments in the world and the region, the leaders discussed the ties between the three countries and ways to strengthen them on all levels."

The visit is Bennett's second to Egypt. His first was in September last year.

Political sources in Tel Aviv stressed the importance of Bennett spending his night in Egypt for the first time in many years.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the tripartite meeting is part of Israeli orchestrated attempts to impose a blockade on Iran, which comprises all regional powers, including Turkey, backed by the US.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot, SPA reported.

During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments.


Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
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Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi in Riyadh.

According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat, the two sides reviewed GCC-Yemeni relations and discussed the current situation in the Republic of Yemen, with particular focus on recent developments in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Albudaiwi affirmed that all efforts are being exerted and supported to enhance security and stability in Yemen.

Dr. Al-Alimi commended the stances, leading role, and exceptional efforts made by the GCC states to support Yemen across various fields, contributing to enhancing Yemen’s stability and realizing its development, SPA reported.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s steadfast position affirming full support for the Presidential Leadership Council, headed by Dr. Al-Alimi, and its supporting entities, in their endeavours to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

He also underscored the GCC’s support for reaching a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the three references, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.


No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
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No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)

An earthquake struck Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region on Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) Tariq Aba Al-Khail said no damage casualties were reported in the 4.0-magnitude quake.

The earthquake resulted from tectonic stresses from the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian geological plates in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, which activated existing faults in the Earth's crust in Eastern Region of the Kingdom, he said.