King Salman: Eid Al-Fitr Occasion of Tolerance, Forgiveness

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman: Eid Al-Fitr Occasion of Tolerance, Forgiveness

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz said on Sunday that God almighty had made Eid al-Fitr an occasion of fraternity, tolerance and forgiveness.

He made his remarks during a message to citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia on the advent of the holiday that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The holiday will begin on Monday.

King Salman congratulated the people on the advent of Eid al-Fitr, praying for the safety of Saudi Arabia and the world.

He stressed that God had blessed Saudi Arabia with being the home to the two holy mosques and in serving worshippers and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

He said this is a source of pride for the Kingdom, which fully shoulders this blessed and great duty.

"We are honored with carrying on with this mission since the days of the founder King Abdulaziz," he added.

He noted the lifting of the coronavirus-related restrictions, which has allowed for the return of great numbers of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims.

He hailed the relevant authorities for their responsibility, seriousness and innovation in confronting the pandemic and easing its repercussions.

This has consequently led to a positive impact on most aspects of life, he remarked.

Moreover, King Salman hailed workers in all sectors, citizens and residents alike, who showed high awareness and great commitment in respecting health precautions.



Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
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Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)

Qatar's chief negotiator voiced frustration over talks for a truce in Gaza in an interview with AFP, a month after Israel resumed its strikes on the Palestinian territory and another round of negotiations ended without a deal.

"We're definitely frustrated by the slowness, sometimes, of the process in the negotiation. This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day," Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said on Friday.

Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which came into force on January 19 and largely halted over a year of war triggered by Palestinian gunmen’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps.

Hamas has insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase to the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework.

Israel, which had called for an extension to the opening phase, resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Late on Thursday, Hamas signaled the group would not accept Israel's newest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the group said.

"We've been working continuously in the last days to try to bring the parties together and revive the agreement that has been endorsed by the two sides," the Qatari minister of state said.

"And we will remain committed to this, in spite of the difficulties," he added.