Egypt, Bahrain Discuss Cooperation, Regional Developments

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base in Sakhir, Bahrain, June 28, 2022. (BNA)
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base in Sakhir, Bahrain, June 28, 2022. (BNA)
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Egypt, Bahrain Discuss Cooperation, Regional Developments

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base in Sakhir, Bahrain, June 28, 2022. (BNA)
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon his arrival at Sakhir Air Base in Sakhir, Bahrain, June 28, 2022. (BNA)

Egyptian Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kicked off on Tuesday a two-day visit to Bahrain, flying in from Oman, as part of a Gulf tour.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Sisi at al-Sakhir Palace in Manama. The two leaders held official talks in the presence of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.

The King praised Egypt's pivotal role as the pillar of security and stability in the region, highlighting its commendable efforts in championing Arab causes and boosting joint Arab action against various challenges.

Sisi stressed the importance of the relations, asserting: "We are always keen on holding such meetings to enhance cooperation between our two brotherly countries across various fields."

The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said the two sides reviewed the solid fraternal Bahraini-Egyptian relations and ways to further the strategic cooperation between them for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples.

King Hamad said Sisi's visit reflects the outstanding bilateral relations and embodies the keenness of the two countries' leaderships on constant communication, coordination, and consultation on various regional issues of mutual interest to serve their interests and address the problems of the Arab Nation.

The Egyptian presidency spokesman announced that the two leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern that require concerted efforts to protect Arab national security and confront attempts to destabilize and interfere in their domestic affairs.

Ahead of his arrival in Bahrain, Sisi concluded a two-day official visit to Oman, during which six memoranda of understanding, two agreements, three executive programs, and letters of cooperation were signed.

Sisi met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in the Omani capital, Muscat.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, affirming the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and dialogue.

They stressed the depth of relations between their countries and underscored the need to develop them in various fields of cooperation, especially the economic, investment, tourism, and scientific levels.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.

A joint statement issued after the Egyptian President visited Oman affirmed the two countries' strong desire to strengthen bilateral relations and advance them towards broader horizons.

The Egyptian spokesman said Sultan Haitham valued Egypt's prominent role in enhancing the mechanisms of joint Arab action in the face of the current crises and challenges in the region.

He noted that the role of Egypt is a model to be emulated in preserving stability and improving the economic and social conditions in the Arab world.

The meeting discussed ways to foster closer cooperation, notably in trade and economic relations and joint investments, particularly in light of the outcomes of the Joint Business Council and the Egyptian-Omani Joint Committee held in Muscat in January 2022.

The two sides exchanged views on several international issues, particularly the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its repercussions on the region.

They exchanged visions regarding the upcoming summit between the Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and the United States, to be held in Saudi Arabia.

They discussed the developments in Arab and regional issues, especially the Yemeni crisis.

They agreed on the importance of bolstering coordination between the two countries to support the unity and sovereignty of the Yemeni state and the safety of its national institutions, leading to a sustainable political settlement that ends the Yemeni people's suffering and meets their needs and aspirations.

They stressed that the security and stability of Yemen are of utmost importance to the safety of the Arab and the Red Sea regions.



Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Israel’s 'State Land' Decision in West Bank 

The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Israel’s 'State Land' Decision in West Bank 

The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
The West Bank village of al-Ram is pictured behind Israel's controversial separation barrier from the outskirts of Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (AFP)

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye strongly condemned on Tuesday Israel's decision to designate lands in the occupied West Bank as so-called "state land".

They also slammed it for approving procedures for the registration and settlement of land ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967.

They condemned the moves as “a grave escalation aimed at accelerating illegal settlement activity, land confiscation, entrenching Israeli control, and applying unlawful Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”

These measures are “a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as a violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2334,” the FMs said in a statement.

“The decision also contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which underscored the illegality of measures intended to alter the legal, historical, and demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the obligation to end the occupation, and the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force,” they added.

“This step reflects an attempt to impose a new legal and administrative reality designed to consolidate control over the occupied land, thereby undermining the two-state solution, eroding the prospects for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian State, and jeopardizing the attainment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region,” they warned.

The foreign ministers reiterated their “categorical rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at altering the legal, demographic, and historical status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

They stressed that such policies are “a dangerous escalation that will further heighten tensions and instability in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the region as a whole.”

They called on the international community “to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations, ensure respect for international law, and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing their independent and sovereign State based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”


Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah carried out on Monday a field inspection tour to assess operational and service readiness for the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque, and several other service sites in the holy city of Makkah.

Accompanied by the authority’s CEO Eng. Ghazi Al-Shahrani, the tour included a review of field operations, crowd management plans, and the flow of Umrah performers and worshippers.

It addressed coordination and integration mechanisms among relevant entities, as part of ongoing efforts by the ministry, the authority, and partner organizations serving pilgrims.

Al-Rabiah stressed that these efforts are carried out in line with the directives of the Kingdom's leadership and reflect the country's commitment to caring for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

The level of readiness and the services provided during Ramadan are part of ongoing development efforts and they support the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to boost the quality of services and the overall experience of pilgrims, he added.


SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and European Union announced on Monday the alignment of their efforts to improve livelihoods in Yemen.

These efforts focus on investment in economic recovery programs and reforms, job creation, strengthening state institutions, and boosting community resilience, including in the areas of food security, agriculture, electricity, water, and environmental sanitation.

Their strategic partnership is in line with efforts to strengthen international cooperation to support Yemen.

Supporting improved access to water in the Marib governorate is the first outcome of the strategic partnership.

The two parties signed in Riyadh an agreement with the SILA Foundation to implement a SAR9-million project, “Enhancing Water Security in Marib Governorate,” covering nine areas across the districts of Marib Al-Wadi, Marib City, and Harib. Over 350,000 people will benefit from the project.

The agreement reflects the parties’ commitment to joint action and continuous coordination to improve living conditions for all Yemenis.

The SDRPY and EU agreed to continue coordination and explore additional opportunities for cooperation in the water sector, as well as joint development projects and initiatives in other sectors.