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Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain Welcome Upcoming Summit in Saudi Arabia

The leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh in the presence of officials from the three countries (Egyptian presidency)
The leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh in the presence of officials from the three countries (Egyptian presidency)
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Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain Welcome Upcoming Summit in Saudi Arabia

The leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh in the presence of officials from the three countries (Egyptian presidency)
The leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh in the presence of officials from the three countries (Egyptian presidency)

Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain have welcomed the upcoming summit to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in July, comprising leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and the United States.

The support for the US regional summit in Jeddah, scheduled for next month, was voiced during a trilateral meeting between Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Jordan’s King Abdullah in Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday.

The Saudi Royal Diwan has announced a scheduled official visit of US President Joe Biden to the Kingdom on July 15-16, at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

According to the Diwan, Biden is slated to attend a joint summit to which King Salman had invited the leaders of GCC countries, the Jordanian monarch, the Egyptian president, and the prime minister of Iraq.

Sisi, at the trilateral meeting, confirmed Egypt’s hope for reinforcing constructive cooperation with Bahrain and Jordan.

The talks touched upon the tracks of cooperation between Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan, in addition to ways of achieving common goals and interests, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement following the meeting.

Sisi said Egypt aspires to further cooperation with Bahrain and Jordan to achieve the common interests of the peoples of the three nations as well as boost joint Arab action, particularly amid great challenges of multiple regional and international developments.

The Bahraini and Jordanian kings praised "the inextricable" ties binding the three countries, stressing their keenness to elevate cooperation with Egypt to the level of strategic partnership.

Furthermore, the kings added that they seek maximizing benefits of opportunities and potentials of cooperation relations with Egypt, Rady's statement added.

King Hamad and King Abdullah also said that relations between the three countries “represent a cornerstone for maintaining regional security and stability as well as restoring balance to the region, in light of the pivotal importance of Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan regionally and internationally.”

The talks also touched upon the mutual coordination regarding issues of common concerns, in addition to the latest developments on regional and international fronts and challenges facing the region.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Local residents stand at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Mastung district on September 29, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of “cowardly terrorist attacks” that took place on Friday in several provinces in Pakistan, killing and injuring dozens of people.

The Ministry reiterated Saudi Arabia’s firm stance on renouncing violence and terrorism, expressing full solidarity with Pakistan and its people.

The Ministry also expressed the Kingdom’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the Pakistani government and people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Gulf

Gulf Cooperation Council, Pakistan Sign Free Trade Agreement

GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
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Gulf Cooperation Council, Pakistan Sign Free Trade Agreement

GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters
GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi - Reuters

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Pakistan initialized a free trade agreement, the GCC said on messaging platform X on Thursday.

The agreement was signed by GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi and Pakistani trade minister Gohar Ejaz.

Al-Budaiwi stated that the preliminary free trade agreement (FTA) between the GCC and Pakistan comes in recognition of the importance of strengthening trade relations and economic cooperation with countries and international blocs, SPA reported.

The statement came during the signing ceremony of the preliminary FTA between the council and Pakistan, with the agreement being signed by both the GCC Secretary General and Pakistani Commerce Minister, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, on Thursday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

The GCC Secretary General also noted that this historic economic agreement represents an important turning point in cooperation and would contribute to growth and prosperity in a way that serves the common interests of both sides, as it emphasizes the vital importance of close cooperation between countries to strengthen economic relations.

Al-Budaiwi stressed that the GCC countries are proceeding with free-trade negotiations with other countries, aiming to open and enhance the prospects for trade and economic cooperation for the council member states regionally and internationally.

He also voiced his thanks and appreciation to the GCC negotiating teams and the General Secretariat for their efforts and dedication during the negotiation process.

Gulf

Political Committee of Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council Concludes Meeting

SPA
SPA
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Political Committee of Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council Concludes Meeting

SPA
SPA

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, chaired the second meeting of the Political Coordination Committee of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council in Manama on Thursday.
At the meeting's onset, the two parties evaluated their bilateral relations and deliberated on diverse methods to enhance and develop them bilaterally and multilaterally in the international arena.

The discussions were conducted within the Political Coordination Committee's framework. The parties examined numerous initiatives to deepen and strengthen cooperation between them, leading to more extensive horizons and fulfilling the leaders of both countries' aspirations and their peoples' interests, SPA reported.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Dr. Al-Zayani chaired the first meeting of the preparatory committee for the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council.

The progress made by the council and its committees in the past period was reviewed, and the latest developments and preparations for the third council meeting were discussed.
At the meeting, the committee evaluated the advancements achieved by the sub-committees and deliberated on the proposals presented during the council's second meeting in Manama on November 9th, 2021.

Additionally, they scrutinized a roster of upcoming initiatives projected to be launched at the third meeting of the council, along with a list of draft agreements and memoranda of understanding that will be signed between the parties during the meeting.

The two sides praised the cooperation and coordination between the sub-committees and working groups of the Coordinating Council, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this pace to achieve common goals.

At the end of the meeting, the minutes of the second Political Coordination Committee meeting and the first preparatory committee meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council were signed.

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from President of Chad

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from President of Chad

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji meets with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Thursday written message from President of Chad Lieutenant General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The message tackled bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Chad and ways to bolster them in all fields.

The message was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji during a meeting with Chad’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hassan Saleh Algadam Aldjinedi at the ministry in Riyadh.

The officials reviewed aspects of bilateral relations between their countries and discussed issues of common interest.

Gulf

Bahraini Crown Prince Receives Saudi Foreign Minister

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
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Bahraini Crown Prince Receives Saudi Foreign Minister

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa receives Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Manama on Thursday. (SPA)

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa received Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Al Zaher Palace in Manama on Thursday.

The officials discussed bilateral relations, ways to strengthen and develop cooperation and coordination in various fields, and the latest regional and international events and topics of common interest.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain held a luncheon honoring the Saudi minister and his accompanying delegation.

Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati, Director General of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Office Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, and Chargé d'Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Bahrain Saleh Al-Otaibi attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Friday.

He was received at the airport by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani. They later held talks on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop cooperation and coordination in various fields.

Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia’s sincere condolences to Bahrain’s leadership and people over the martyrdom of military personnel participating in the “Operation Restore Hope” on the southern Saudi border, and extended the Kingdom's wish for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Condoles Iraqi President over Victims of Wedding Hall Fire in Nineveh

A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)
A firefighter checks the damage in an event hall in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, after a fire broke out during a wedding, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 150, on September 27, 2023. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent on Wednesday a cable of condolences to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid over victims of a fire that broke out in a wedding hall in Nineveh.

He extended his deepest condolences and sincerest sympathy to the Iraqi president, families of the deceased, and the brotherly people of Iraq, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Rashid a similar cable.

A fire ripped through a packed wedding hall in northern Iraq late on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people.

Fire fighters searched the charred remains of the building in Qaraqosh, also known as Al-Hamdaniya, through Wednesday morning and bereaved relatives gathered outside a morgue in the nearby city of Mosul.

Gulf

Saudi Embassy in Tehran Celebrates 93rd National Day

Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
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Saudi Embassy in Tehran Celebrates 93rd National Day

Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the celebration held at the Saudi embassy in Tehran. (SPA)

Saudi Ambassador to Iran Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi hosted a reception on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The event, held under the theme “We dream and realize”, was attended by Iranian Minister of Oil Javad Owji and several ambassadors in Tehran.

Al-Anzi extended his congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the occasion.

National Day is a source of immense pride for the homeland, tracing its roots back to the unification efforts led by late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, he added.

He acknowledged the tremendous efforts to build a robust nation, guided by the principles of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed. This commitment has allowed Saudi Arabia to make significant progress towards a brighter future for its people, the Islamic nation, and all of humanity.

Gulf

Saudi FM Meets French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Meets French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Wednesday French special presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The officials discussed the latest Lebanese, regional and international developments.

They also tackled bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and France and means to bolster coordination in several fields.

Earlier on Thursday, Prince Faisal met with President of the Republic of Nauru, Russ Kun.

They reviewed the bilateral relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields.

The Saudi FM also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Vince Henderson.

The Riyadh talks focused on bilateral relations and ways to develop them in various sectors. They also discussed the latest developments in the regional and international arenas and the efforts exerted towards them.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Ministry Offers Condolences to Iraq over Victims of Nineveh Fire

People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Ministry Offers Condolences to Iraq over Victims of Nineveh Fire

People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended the Kingdom's condolences and deep sympathy to Iraq and its government, especially the families of the victims, over the fire tragedy at a wedding hall in the northern Nineveh province.

The ministry conveyed the Kingdom's wish for a speedy recovery for the injured.

A raging fire seemingly caused by fireworks set off to celebrate a wedding consumed a hall packed with guests in northern Iraq, killing around 100 people and injuring 150 others as authorities warned Wednesday the death toll could still rise.

Gulf

Kuwait to Confront Iraqi Court Ruling on Khor Abdullah

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (KUNA)
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (KUNA)
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Kuwait to Confront Iraqi Court Ruling on Khor Abdullah

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (KUNA)
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (KUNA)

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah discussed the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court's ruling over the Khor Abdullah waterway agreement with his British counterpart James Cleverly.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry reported that the call addressed the bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region.

The statement also mentioned that the call discussed the repercussions of the decision of the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq, which ruled that the law ratifying the agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway was unconstitutional.

The two officials also touched on Iraq's cancellation of the security swap protocol in Khor Abdullah, signed with Kuwait in 2008, the Ministry concluded.

The Iraqi Parliament and the Kuwaiti National Assembly had previously approved the agreement and submitted it to the UN.

However, the Federal Iraqi Court ruled it “unconstitutional”.

Kuwait's Foreign Minister also discussed the issue with the French Ambassador to Kuwait, Claire Le Flecher, and the Russian Ambassador, Vladimir Zheltov, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry stated that discussion highlighted the implications of the Federal Iraqi Court's decision, the historical fallacies, and Iraq's cancellation of the security swap protocol.

Furthermore, Sheikh Salem addressed the Iraqi court's decision in a meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, in New York ahead of his meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to preserving Kuwati's security and sovereignty and the safety of its territory and the region.

The meeting also discussed the details of the Federal Iraqi Court's decision regarding the Khor Abdullah Maritime Navigation Agreement.

Furthermore, the annual coordination meeting of the Ministerial Council for Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries discussed the court decision in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The Ministers stressed the importance of Iraq's commitment to Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect for international conventions and UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 833 regarding the demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq boundary.

They called for the complete demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq maritime boundary beyond boundary point 162, urging the Iraqi government to resolve the domestic legal status of the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq Agreement.

They called on Iraq and the UN to exert maximum effort to resolve all the issues.