Arab League Welcomes Saudi-Iran Agreement

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit - File/AFP
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit - File/AFP
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Arab League Welcomes Saudi-Iran Agreement

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit - File/AFP
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit - File/AFP

The Arab League welcomed on Saturday the announcement that Saudi Arabia and Iran had agreed to restore diplomatic relations.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the agreement would end the state of tension between the two countries that lasted for more than seven years.

He also said the agreement could mark a new positive phase in bilateral relations, which may lead to achieving a level of stability in the region.

The Sec-Gen further hailed "the efforts exerted by China, Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman in this regard."

A tripartite statement issued by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China said Riyadh and Tehran agreed to reopen their embassies and restore representation within a period of two months. They also agreed to activate the security cooperation agreement between them.



Netanyahu: Cabinet Won't Meet Over Ceasefire Until Hamas Drops New Demands

People check the rubble of buildings hit in Israeli strikes the previous night in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on January 16, 2025, following a truce announcement amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
People check the rubble of buildings hit in Israeli strikes the previous night in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on January 16, 2025, following a truce announcement amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
TT

Netanyahu: Cabinet Won't Meet Over Ceasefire Until Hamas Drops New Demands

People check the rubble of buildings hit in Israeli strikes the previous night in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on January 16, 2025, following a truce announcement amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
People check the rubble of buildings hit in Israeli strikes the previous night in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on January 16, 2025, following a truce announcement amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday his Cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages until Hamas backs down from what it called a “last minute crisis.”
Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt “to extort last minute concessions.” It did not elaborate.
The Israeli Cabinet was set to ratify the deal Thursday.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 48 people over the past day. In previous conflicts, both sides have stepped up military operations in the final hours before ceasefires go into effect as a way to project strength.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the 48 bodies of people killed since midday Wednesday were brought to several hospitals.