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Islamic Affairs Ministry Delegation Meets with Pope of Vatican

A Saudi delegation headed by Adviser to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullah Bin Fahd Al-Luhaidan meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome Thursday. – SPA
A Saudi delegation headed by Adviser to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullah Bin Fahd Al-Luhaidan meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome Thursday. – SPA
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Islamic Affairs Ministry Delegation Meets with Pope of Vatican

A Saudi delegation headed by Adviser to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullah Bin Fahd Al-Luhaidan meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome Thursday. – SPA
A Saudi delegation headed by Adviser to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullah Bin Fahd Al-Luhaidan meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome Thursday. – SPA

A Saudi official delegation headed by Advisor to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Dr. Abdullah bin Fahd al-Luhaidan has met with Pope Francis of Vatican.

The delegation stressed that this visit was to express the Kingdom's appreciation to the Pope for his sincere positions and statements calling for peace and coexistence, rejection of linking between religions and terrorism and affirming sincere and deep aspiration to promote a culture of dialogue and peaceful coexistence among all followers of religions and cultures.

The delegation recalled the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to the Vatican in 2007, his meeting with the Pope Benedict XVI and the outcome of this meeting – it underpinned the importance of dialogue among religions and civilizations, stressing that all nations share common values.

This is a fixed policy adopted by Saudi Arabia and the Vatican, and it was approved in a global conference for scholars from all over the Islamic world in Mecca in 2008.

The meeting between the Saudi delegation and Pope Francis signaled that they both have a religious weight, and that there are more than 1.5 billion of Muslims around the world who pray facing the Qibla (Mecca) five times a day, and more than 15 million who head to the kingdom to perform pilgrimage.

They also enjoy an international political weight that is the result of their moderate policies and their respect to contracts and conventions in which they are signatories of.

Thanks to Saudi efforts, King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue was established to promote dialogue among religions and civilizations. Spain, Austria and the Vatican took part in it.

The Saudi support to international peace continued through the establishment of King Salman Centre for International Peace in Malaysia and the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – named “Etidal” or “moderation” – in Riyadh.

Of course, in addition to the meetings and tours carried out by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques because of his deep faith in the importance of communication to achieve peace.

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Gulf

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty
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Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Sovereignty

The Muslim World League (MWL) has affirmed its full support for the supplementary statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding recent escalatory actions by the Southern Transitional Council in the Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.

The league also expressed its support for the statement from the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the unauthorized movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from the Port of Fujairah to the Port of Mukalla, SPA reported.

These shipments were reportedly transported without the necessary official permits from the coalition’s Joint Forces Command. The MWL emphasized its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its national security.

In an official statement released by the General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa commended the decisive and wise content of the Saudi statement.

Speaking on behalf of the league’s global assemblies and councils, Al-Issa noted that these measures are vital to ensuring peace, security, and the unity of the Yemeni people under their internationally recognized leadership.

Al-Issa highlighted that the priority remains preserving stability in Yemen and the broader region. He noted that outstanding issues, including the Southern cause, must be resolved through dialogue within established legal and legitimate frameworks.

Furthermore, he warned that supporting illegitimate practices only deepens internal divisions and serves those who do not have Yemen’s best interests at heart. He cautioned that any further steps deviating from the legitimate path would only ignite sedition, the heavy cost of which would be borne by the Yemeni people.

Concluding the statement, Al-Issa called upon all Yemeni parties to prioritize wisdom and the national interest. He urged them to unite under their legitimate leadership to preserve the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, paving the way for a secure and prosperous future for Yemen.

Gulf

President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
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President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi issued a presidential decree on Tuesday nullifying the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the decision on the transfer of power, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the powers granted to it under the constitution, according to the Yemen News Agency (Saba).

Article Two of the decree mandates that all UAE forces and personnel withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, according to SPA.

Article Three instructs the Homeland Shield forces to assume control of all military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.

Gulf

Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability.

The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas, SPA reported.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council.

It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."