Mohammed bin Salman: Prince of the East, Hope of the Nation, Builder of the Ideal State

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman: Prince of the East, Hope of the Nation, Builder of the Ideal State

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has made a name of himself as one of the world’s leading figures by spearheading a “revolution” that has reached all aspects of life in his country and transformed Saudi Arabia into an international political, economic and social heavyweight.

Riyadh has made itself a model capital of an ideal state. In several countries, people carry the images of Prince Mohammed in protests against their own states that have failed to resolve their political, economic and development problems. In search of freedom and a dignified life, they chant: “We want a ruler like Mohammed bin Salman.”

The Saudi Crown Prince has prioritized the fight against corruption - in all its financial, ideological and cultural forms – since he became the country’s number two leader. He believes that corruption in all its forms is the bane of the age and hurdle in development. Saudi Arabia is unique because it boasts what no other country does, the Two Holy Mosques. It also boasts a wealth of natural resources, such as oil and metals, and thousands of years of historical and cultural heritage.

The young prince managed to find the “secret formula” and rode the fast train that has moved in all directions, bringing with him change against everything that was familiar, ordinary and fixed. He drew a plan to build the country of the future, taking advantage of the resources and by keeping an eye on the regional and international arenas.

He became an influential player, closely read the local, regional and international files – both old and new – and realized that many needed revising in line with the times and the conditions at hand. He prioritized the interests of his country, region and ummah. To achieve this goal, he formed a team of ministers and advisors inside the country and beyond. He tasked them with missions that he directly supervises.

At the top of his priorities was the comprehensive development of Saudi Arabia and searching for new sources of income that don’t rely on oil. Through his wisdom and long-sightedness, he realized that this mission needed legislation and a roadmap and so, Vision 2030 was born. It set the course for development in all aspects of the country. The world has seen its goals come to life. Saudi Arabia has become a workshop that tackles all aspects of development.

Crown Prince Mohammed also realized that countries cannot work alone politically and economically in achieving their goals and demands for development. Rather, this demands the application of economic integration, a concept that emerged after World War II. This will promote trade exchange between countries, coordinate financial and monetary policies and fortify them against sudden crises. To this end, Crown Prince Mohammed proposed initiatives that take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s resources and wealth to build a country of the future. Everyone recalls his call for the formation of a new Middle East that was followed with the forging of alliances and signing of economic and trade agreements with influential countries.

Furthermore, Crown Prince Mohammed succeeded in achieving the independence of Saudi political decision-making, transforming it into a rising Arab power with international weight in all fields and that should not be underestimated.

To that end, he tackled perhaps one of the thorniest issues, that of Iran, which for years had posed a threat to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and other Arab countries. He was convinced that the political solution through dialogue was the best option. Iran, he believes, is a country with a long history and differences with it cannot be tackled through direct military confrontation.

He dismissed American and Israeli threats to strike Iran, believing that they are a form of political blackmail. Such threats had been on the table for decades and they have never been proven credible. So, reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran took place. They restored relations that had been severed for years. Through his wisdom and vision, Crown Prince Mohammed effectively put behind him a thorny issue and he also returned both Syria and Iraq to their Arab fold.

On the local level, Crown Prince Mohammed approved the system of the personal status law, replacing laws that had been in place for years, out of his conviction that the Holy Quran is applicable during all times and in all places. His country is bound to apply Quranic texts. He believes that texts must take into account circumstances, the place and time they were adopted. In order to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, he believed that religious speech and rhetoric should be addressed without infringing on clear religious principles.

All of the above are accomplishments and files that were achieved by Crown Prince Mohammed. Only a charismatic leader, with unique characteristics and a drive for change and one who can take the initiative could have made these achievements.

Researcher in Saudi history and sociology, Dr. Ismail al-Salamat told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Man is born with talents bestowed upon him by God. These talents either remain untapped or are exploited. God blessed this nation with a young prince and skilled leader. He was born with exceptional talents and capabilities. He was aided by circumstances, a good upbringing, multiple talents and a balanced and strong personality.”

“He is also driven by positive personal ambition and desire to succeed, and love for goodness and building a promising future for the people,” he added.

Crown Prince Mohammed enjoys unique characteristics that played the greater part in achieving the Arab dream of living in the ideal city. He is the hope of every individual of the nation that has for years endured fragmentation, division, loss and weakness. The nation was overpowered by world forces surrounding it. It was not taken seriously, as Arab citizens in the majority of Arab countries are being misled, are suffering from poverty, are oppressed and are forced to immigrate. They see hope in the accomplishments of Crown Prince Mohammed and a salvation from their miserable reality.

Al-Salamat spoke of the characteristics that have made the Crown Prince a model ruler and leader. He is a responsible ruler - one of the most important traits of the young prince that motivates him to work hard to achieve his goal. He has integrity that makes others trust him. He is dedicated to his principles and responsibilities. His principles are unchanging, which motivates the people on his team and builds confidence that their efforts will achieve their goal.

A successful leader is inspiring and knows what he wants and where he is headed. “We can see this through the quality of projects and plans that are part of Vision 2030 and that aim for development and prosperity,” said Al-Salamat. The successful leader does not rely on luck, but on serious hard work and accurate planning.

Crown Prince Mohammed is also just and fair, assigning the right man to the right position and choosing people based on their skills and capabilities. He is a good communicator and listener and displays emotional intelligence, which is one of the most important traits a leader needs as he forges ahead on his path to glory and improving the lives of his followers.

Moreover, Crown Prince Mohammed’s ambitions know no bounds and his drive will not be stopped and will not stop. It will continue to confront and overcome challenges. He is also a risk-taker. He doesn’t view challenges as obstacles, rather as necessary steps to achieve what is demanded. The greater the task the more innovative and determined he becomes. He does not take risks for the sake of taking them and is unafraid to get out of his comfort zone to achieve his goals.

Crown Prince Mohammed is good at managing and leading his team. He has directly and indirectly overseen all state institutions and their way of work. He has motivated the people to work and cooperate together, offering rewards and benefits, which has produced successful government agencies that are constantly developing and improving.

Moreover, Crown Prince Mohammed has displayed openness, making it his motto. His policy and constructive vision are based on openness, which is accepting the other and their differences, while maintaining the principles of his people and religion. “These are rare traits in a leader – ones we can find in a few great leaders throughout history. He is open-minded and represents the hope of his people and nation.”

Al-Salamat said that if one were to examine the Arab region and Middle East, stretching from the Levant, Anatolia, Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Jordan, Iran and Iraq, “we find the gleaming star of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

“He has earned the title Prince of the East – a young ambitious man, who exudes innovation and energy and boasts the massive ability to give and innovate and soar towards dreams and ambitions.”



Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia is ‘Biggest Success Story of the 21st Century’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
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Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia is ‘Biggest Success Story of the 21st Century’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that the Kingdom is “the biggest success story of the 21st century.”

In an interview with Bret Baier, chief political anchor of Fox News, at NEOM, Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed that Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing country in all sectors, and had achieved the fastest growth in gross domestic product (GDP) among the G20 countries for two consecutive years.

The Saudi Crown Prince also said that the Kingdom tried to join the G7, “but some countries wanted to dictate their conditions.”

He noted that investment in tourism has raised the sector’s contribution to the GDP from 3 percent to 7 percent, adding that tourism in Saudi Arabia attracted 40 million visits and aims to target 100 million to 150 million in 2030.

Touching on political issues, the Saudi Crown Prince said that his country was discussing with the Americans the means to reach good results that will alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.

In this context, he stressed the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue, considering it essential in any normalization of relations with Israel.

Bin Salman also rejected reports that Saudi Arabia had paused negotiations, which he stressed was “not true.”

“Every day we get closer... We get to see how it goes,” he said.

He insisted his country could work with Israel, no matter who is in charge, calling the deal “the biggest historical deal since the end of the Cold War.”

The Saudi Crown Prince noted that the upcoming agreements with the United States are beneficial to the two countries and to the security of the region and the world.

He added that relations with Iran have seen some progress, expressing his hope that they will continue in this direction for the benefit of the security and stability of the region.

He stressed, however, that any nuclear arms race in the region would not only threaten its security, but also the security of the world.

Should Iran ever obtain such a weapon, Saudi Arabia would “have to get one, for security reasons, for balancing power,” bin Salman remarked.

He also said that China had chosen to “mediate between us and the Iranians.”

In his first interview with a major US news network since 2019, the Saudi Crown Prince said that the decisions to reduce oil production were aimed at stabilizing the market and not helping Russia in its war.

Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he said that relations were good with Russia and Ukraine, and the Kingdom prefers the path of dialogue, and does not support one party at the expense of another.

The Saudi Crown Prince spoke about relations with the United States, pointing to important security ties with Washington.

He added that he enjoyed “a special relationship with President [Joe] Biden,” noting that Saudi Arabia wanted American and foreign companies to invest in a safe environment in the Middle East.

“We are one of the five largest buyers of American weapons, and our move to buy weapons from countries other than the United States is not in their interest,” he stated.


Kuwait PM: Iraqi Court Ruling Concerning Khor Abdullah Included Historical Fallacies

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (KUNA)
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (KUNA)
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Kuwait PM: Iraqi Court Ruling Concerning Khor Abdullah Included Historical Fallacies

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (KUNA)
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (KUNA)

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said that the recent verdict of the Iraqi federal court rescinding the agreement on maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah has "historical fallacies" that need to be addressed.

The Kuwaiti Prime Minister received Iraq's PM Mohammad Shia al-Sudani at his residence in New York on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly session.

He stressed the importance of urgent and decisive measures by the Iraqi government to address the historical fallacies against Kuwait in the court ruling.

His remarks were carried by state news agency KUNA early on Thursday,

Tensions escalated between Kuwait and Iraq after the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruled the agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway between the two states was unconstitutional.

The court said the law that ratified the accord should have been approved by the two-thirds of parliament.

The agreement was reached in 2012 and ratified by each of their legislative bodies in 2013.

Sheikh Ahmad expressed Kuwait's desire to finalize the border demarcation process with Iraq beyond seamark No. 162, in keeping with international laws, echoing a Wednesday call by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States.

He affirmed the need for commitment to both countries' security, independence, and territorial safety and maintaining neighborly relations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, notably Resolution 833 on borders.


Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
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Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)

During a span of four days, the Saudi communication and coordination team, in collaboration with a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, engaged in extensive discussions with the visiting Houthi delegation in Riyadh to tackle matters related to Yemen.

Saudi Arabia had invited the Sanaa delegation to visit Riyadh to discuss the Yemeni peace plan.

Without disclosing details, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the outcomes of these deliberations, describing them in a statement as “positive” steps toward the creation of a roadmap to support the Yemeni peace process.

The ministry further clarified that the meeting of the Saudi team headed by Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, who had visited Sanaa last April, had yielded results.

Among the key outcomes were “the formulation of numerous ideas and options for the development of a roadmap agreeable to all Yemeni parties.”

Headed by Mohammed Abdulsalam Felitah, the Houthi delegation from Sanaa met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.

During the meeting, Prince Khalid asserted the Kingdom’s commitment to reaching a political solution in Yemen.

“We look forward to the earnest discussions achieving their objectives and the Yemeni parties uniting under a common vision,” the minister said on Wednesday.

“This should take place within a framework of lasting political stability and security, aligning with the broader developmental progress of the Gulf region,” he added in a post on X.

The Houthi delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia last week. It was the first official visit to the Kingdom since the war broke out in Yemen in 2014 after the Iran-aligned group ousted the government there.

London, as expressed by its Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in an interview with Al-Arabiya, welcomed the meetings in Riyadh.

Charles Harper, who is currently serving as the Chargé d'Affaires of the British Embassy in Yemen, emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia hosting a Houthi delegation in Riyadh.

In statements made to Asharq Al-Awsat, Harper underscored the importance of making progress in the comprehensive intra-Yemeni dialogue process under the auspices of the UN.

Observers note that Saudi Arabia aims for Yemenis to prioritize prosperity, stability, and development, resolving disputes through dialogue rather than armed conflict.


GCC Secretary General Discusses Areas of Cooperation between the GCC and Cuba

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary General Discusses Areas of Cooperation between the GCC and Cuba

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that he discussed areas of cooperation between the GCC and Cuba, as well as ways to enhance and develop them in fields that serve common interests.

His remarks came during a meeting Wednesday with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York City, said SPA on Thursday.

The secretary general said several topics were discussed during the meeting, including reviewing the bilateral relations, and ways to enhance and develop them in fields that achieve joint goals.

Albudaiwi praised Cuba's signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Caribbean States, which was inked two days ago between the GCC countries and the association.

He also highlighted Cuba's active contributions to the GCC healthcare sector.


Saudi Arabia Sends Fifth Plane with 90 Tons of Food Assistance to Libya

SPA
SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sends Fifth Plane with 90 Tons of Food Assistance to Libya

SPA
SPA

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has sent 90 tons of food and shelter materials to be distributed to those affected by the floods that hit Libya recently.

The aid material was sent by a fifth Saudi relief plane that departed today from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for Benghazi's Benina International Airport.

This comes in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

Libya was lashed on September 10 by Storm Daniel, which hit parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean, and led to devastating floods and heavy loss of life.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Meeting with UAE, US Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Meeting with UAE, US Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has held a meeting with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss regional and international issues and efforts aimed at establishing the foundations of international peace and security.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 78th session of UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia was commended for hosting the Sanaa delegation for talks that aim to start a dialogue among all Yemeni parties for a roadmap to end the Yemeni conflict through a Yemeni-led political process, under UN auspices.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, and Director General of Foreign Minister's Office Abdulrahman Al-Dawood.

Prince Faisal also met separately on Tuesday with the Dutch, Finnish, Romanian and Pakistani foreign ministers.

He also held talks with Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.


Saudi Council of Ministers Discusses Regional Developments, Relief Efforts

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, chairing the Council of Ministers meeting in Neom (SPA)
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, chairing the Council of Ministers meeting in Neom (SPA)
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Saudi Council of Ministers Discusses Regional Developments, Relief Efforts

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, chairing the Council of Ministers meeting in Neom (SPA)
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, chairing the Council of Ministers meeting in Neom (SPA)

The Saudi Council of Ministers followed up on the developments in regional and international arenas and discussed the Kingdom's efforts to aid those affected by the recent floods in Libya, including providing food and shelter assistance.

The session, chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, also touched upon the Kingdom's 93rd National Day on Saturday.

King Salman began the meeting by reflecting on the significance of the National Day, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's pride in its historical achievements and distinguished status among nations.

He lauded the accomplishments of the Kingdom, saying he looked forward to a brighter and more prosperous future.

The Council reviewed the recent discussions between Saudi Arabia and several countries, including the letters Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi sent to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The messages discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them across various sectors.

Minister of Information Salman al-Dossary elaborated on the results of Saudi Arabia's participation in the G77+China summit held in Cuba.

Dossary highlighted the significance of the collaborative approach towards prosperity and stability.

The Council also touched upon Saudi Arabia's continued leadership in humanitarian affairs, its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its proactive stance in addressing global challenges.

The Council discussed the UN announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the World Environment Day in 2024, underscoring the Kingdom's local and international pivotal role in environmental conservation and sustainability, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

Additionally, the Council commended establishing the Council of Arab Ministers of Cybersecurity with a general secretariat and an executive office in Riyadh, following a proposal submitted by the Kingdom.

The initiative aims to fortify cooperation, ensure security and stability, and serve the goals and aspirations towards a promising future for member states.

The Council also addressed the positive appraisals of international financial institutions and credit rating agencies of the Saudi economy, noting that they reflect the prominent role of the economic and structural reforms implemented under Vision 2030.

The reforms have significantly contributed to the growth of the non-oil sector, ensured the sustainability of public finance, and maintained a balanced level of public debt.

The Council approved several memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including one with Oman in the energy sector.

It also approved an agreement with Thailand on visa exemption to facilitate the travel of diplomatic, official, and unique passport holders from both countries to promote diplomatic ties and ease official visits between the two nations.

The Saudi Royal Institute of Traditional Arts and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage signed an agreement to foster collaboration in traditional arts.

Both institutions will share knowledge, expertise, and resources to promote and preserve the traditional arts of their respective countries.

Saudi Arabia also signed a cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan on combating counterterrorism and its financing.

The Council of Ministers made several decisions to foster international cooperation and strengthen domestic institutional frameworks in various fields, including energy, defense, economic collaboration, transport and logistics, and Artificial Intelligence.

The Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, or his representative, is authorized to converse on two separate MoUs with the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) and the Jozef Stefan Institute (JSI) in Slovenia.

The Council reviewed several other general topics on its agenda and took necessary actions accordingly.


US, Gulf States Urge Completion of Kuwait-Iraq Maritime Border Demarcation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on September 18, 2023 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle / POOL / AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on September 18, 2023 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle / POOL / AFP)
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US, Gulf States Urge Completion of Kuwait-Iraq Maritime Border Demarcation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on September 18, 2023 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle / POOL / AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on September 18, 2023 in New York. (Photo by Craig Ruttle / POOL / AFP)

Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States have called for the completion of the demarcation of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi maritime borders "beyond marker number 162."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, GCC Foreign Ministers, and GCC Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi met in New York to celebrate the strategic importance of the historic ties among their countries.

After their meeting, they issued a joint statement urging the complete demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq maritime boundary beyond boundary point 162.

The officials called on the Iraqi government to expeditiously resolve the domestic legal status of the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq Agreement to regulate maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah and ensure that the agreement remains in force.

They renewed their support for UNSC Resolution 2107 (2013) regarding the transfer of the file related to the repatriation of all Kuwaitis, including missing Kuwaitis, and the return of Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, to the UN Mission to Iraq (UNAMI).

The statement, issued Wednesday, expressed their hope that Iraq will continue cooperating to ensure progress in this file.

They called on Iraq and the UN to exert maximum effort to resolve all the issues.

The UN demarcated the borders between the two countries in 1993 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. However, this did not encompass the entirety of their maritime boundary, leaving the resolution of this matter to the oil-producing nations.

Furthermore, the GCC countries and the US reiterated their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran has denied entry to several IAEA inspectors overseeing Tehran's nuclear activities.

The IAEA's Director-General, Rafael Grossi, described this move as "disproportionate and unprecedented."


Saudi Arabia Praises 'Positive Results' after Yemen's Peace Talks

Saudi Arabia Praises 'Positive Results' after Yemen's Peace Talks
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Saudi Arabia Praises 'Positive Results' after Yemen's Peace Talks

Saudi Arabia Praises 'Positive Results' after Yemen's Peace Talks

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised the “positive results” of negotiations with Yemen's Houthis after they visited the kingdom for peace talks.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement early Wednesday “welcomed the positive results of the serious discussions regarding reaching a road map to support the peace path in Yemen.”

“The kingdom continues to stand with Yemen and its brotherly people and ... encourages the Yemeni parties to sit at the negotiating table to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution in Yemen under the supervision of the United Nations," the statement read.

Also, a joint statement issued by the United States and the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, commended “Saudi Arabia’s sustained efforts to encourage Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue.”

“The ministers also emphasized their support for an inclusive, Yemeni-Yemeni political process under UN auspices that durably resolves the conflict,” that statement read.


Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Delegation from Sanaa

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Tuesday with a delegation from Sanaa visiting Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Tuesday with a delegation from Sanaa visiting Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Delegation from Sanaa

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Tuesday with a delegation from Sanaa visiting Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Tuesday with a delegation from Sanaa visiting Riyadh (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Tuesday with a delegation from Sanaa visiting Riyadh to discuss continued efforts to support the peace process in Yemen.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the Kingdom’s support for Yemen and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dialogue among all parties to reach a comprehensive political solution under UN supervision.

“We look forward to the success of these critical discussions, hoping that Yemeni parties will unite to achieve sustainable development, political stability, and lasting security, enabling Yemen to integrate into the progress and development witnessed within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),” Prince Khalid said on his X account.