UAE Condemns Israeli Minister’s Storming of Al-Aqsa Compound

People walk towards the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (AFP)
People walk towards the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (AFP)
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UAE Condemns Israeli Minister’s Storming of Al-Aqsa Compound

People walk towards the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (AFP)
People walk towards the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (AFP)

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned on Tuesday the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound by an Israeli minister under the protection of Israeli forces, said the state news agency WAM.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) reiterated its firm position on the need to provide full protection for the Al-Aqsa mosque and halt serious and provocative violations taking place there.

Furthermore, the Ministry underscored the need to respect the custodial role of Jordan over the holy sites and endowments in accordance with international law and the historical situation at hand, and not to compromise the authority of the Jerusalem Endowment Administration and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Ministry called on Israeli authorities to assume responsibility for reducing escalation and instability in the region.

Moreover, the Ministry stressed the need to support all regional and international efforts to advance the Middle East Peace process, end illegal practices that threaten the two-state solution, and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.



Saudi Defense Minister Meets with French Ambassador

Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
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Saudi Defense Minister Meets with French Ambassador

Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille.

During the meeting in Riyadh, they reviewed relations between the two friendly countries and several issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, and Office of the Minister of Defense Director General Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.