German Chancellor Begins Tour to Restore Relations with the Gulf

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz boarding a place (dpa)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz boarding a place (dpa)
TT

German Chancellor Begins Tour to Restore Relations with the Gulf

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz boarding a place (dpa)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz boarding a place (dpa)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will begin a two-day tour of Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, on Saturday.

A German official said that the three Gulf countries are "important regional partners," and Berlin enjoys economic relations with the Gulf countries beyond energy.

Observers saw the chancellor's visit as a "turning point" amid Germany's aim to restore and correct relations with the Gulf states, which was also reflected in local parliamentary demands.

The German chancellor's office has been preparing for the vital visit for days, and he will be accompanied by a sizeable industry delegation seeking to invest in the three countries. The office also invited interested companies to escort Schultz on his trip.

Since Russia cut off gas, Germany has searched for alternative energy markets.

The official said that Germany wants to extend its cooperation with the three Gulf countries in renewable energy, such as green hydrogen, which Germany could import in vast quantities from the Gulf states.

He referred to "ambitious contracts" expected to be signed during the visit related to liquefied gas and hydrogen.

Berlin also wants to extend cooperation on new technologies such as green hydrogen produced using renewable energy, which Germany could import in vast quantities from the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE, said government sources.

Germany and the Gulf countries have common interests in maintaining the stability and security of the region, said the official.

Saudi Arabia, a country that enjoys a regional power, began a journey of reforms and openness, and Germany and Western countries want to accompany and encourage them on this journey.

He noted that meetings in Riyadh would address the Yemeni crisis and the Iranian nuclear talks, the peace process in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and its impact on the Middle East region.

Recently, German parties called on the government to take "the Gulf countries' fears of Iran more seriously."

During a Gulf-German conference held in Berlin a few days ago, a German lawmaker of the Green Party admitted that her country "did not understand the extent of the Iranian threats" to the Gulf states.

She also addressed Iran's role in Yemen, which "made it difficult to end the war there."

The former head of the German intelligence called on Berlin to support Saudi Arabia, which supports the legitimate government in Yemen.

Germany has periodically hosted secret talks between the Yemeni parties, with the participation of Houthi representatives, sponsored by a non-governmental organization coordinating efforts with the German Foreign Ministry.

The talks yielded nothing, but Germany adhered to its diplomatic efforts to stop the war in Yemen.



Saudi Arabia Intercepts Three Missiles Targeting Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Three Missiles Targeting Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki announced early Saturday that Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia toward Riyadh.

Two other missiles targeting Taif and Yanbu were also intercepted, along with a drone that was intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern Province.

Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed their countries' commitment to supporting peace, security and stability in the region.

During a meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the Quad foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye, the two officials discussed the latest regional developments, particularly the situation in Yemen.

In a related development, the coalition categorically denied allegations circulated by the Houthi militia claiming that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target tribal and civilian gatherings, describing them as "false claims with no basis in fact."

In a statement, Al-Malki said: "These allegations, both in their substance and timing, reflect continued attempts to mislead public opinion, divert attention from the militia's crises and practices, and drag Yemen's tribes into its conflicts."


Two Houthi Ballistic Missiles Intercepted Over Riyadh, Khamis Mushait

Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Two Houthi Ballistic Missiles Intercepted Over Riyadh, Khamis Mushait

Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, along with two drones heading toward Saudi Arabia's southern region, on Friday.

The coalition also categorically denied claims circulated by the Houthi militia that Saudi Arabia had threatened to target tribal and civilian gatherings, describing them as "false allegations with no basis in fact."

In a statement Thursday, official spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said the allegations, both in their substance and timing, reflected continued attempts to mislead public opinion, divert attention from the militia's crises and practices, and drag Yemen's tribes into its conflicts.

The statement reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to Yemen's security and stability and its determination to preserve the historical and brotherly ties between the two peoples.

It emphasized that this commitment seeks to strengthen security and stability, safeguard the interests of both nations, and prevent Yemeni tribes from being exploited or drawn into conflicts that do not serve the Yemeni people's aspirations for security, peace and development.


King Salman, Crown Prince Offer Condolences over Fire Victims at Canadian Forces Base in Alberta

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
TT

King Salman, Crown Prince Offer Condolences over Fire Victims at Canadian Forces Base in Alberta

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour over the victims of a fire at a Canadian Forces base in Alberta.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques extended his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the governor general, the families of the deceased, and the friendly people of Canada, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

For his part, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has also sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to extend his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the governor general, the families of the deceased, and the friendly people of Canada, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Crown Prince also sent a cable of condolences to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.