Arab Coalition Suspends Military Operations in Yemen to Ensure Success of Consultations

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab Coalition Suspends Military Operations in Yemen to Ensure Success of Consultations

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Joint Forces Command of the Saudi-led Arab coalition announced on Tuesday it was suspending military operations in Yemen, starting Wednesday morning, to ensure the success of the intra-Yemeni consultations that will kick off in Riyadh.

Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is sponsoring the meetings, appealed for a ceasefire on Tuesday.

He called for a halt in operations so that a positive environment can prevail over the talks during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins in early April.

Arab coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki said the suspension aims to support efforts to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the crisis in Yemen.

He added that the coalition forces will commit to the ceasefire and take the necessary steps to ensure it is upheld.

He stressed that the coalition stands by the Yemeni people and their aspirations to build a state and restore security and peace.

The consultations will kick off at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday and are set to run through April 7.



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.