Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Int’l Community Standing Against Iran’s Violations

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Int’l Community Standing Against Iran’s Violations

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its absolute rejection of all attacks that threaten the security and stability of Iraq.

It stressed the importance of the international community standing against all Iranian violations of international laws, treaties and norms.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The ministers were briefed on the messages King Salam received from various world leaders over the past week. The messages tackled boosting bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and efforts to develop them in various fields.

The cabinet reviewed the participation of Saudi officials at a number of international meetings and events.

They highlighted Saudi Arabia’s election as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and member of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The developments reflect the Kingdom’s influential role at international organizations and on the global level.

Minister of State, Cabinet's Member for Shura Council Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed said the ministers praised Saudi Arabia’s rising up the ranks in three international indicators: the UN’s e-Government Development Index, the Global Innovation Index (GII) issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the education and knowledge indices in the World Digital Competitiveness Rankings 2022 report released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).



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.