AlUla Declaration Ends Qatar Rift, Looks to Preserve Gulf Security, Stability

The leaders of the GCC pose for a photo ahead of the AlUla summit. (SPA)
The leaders of the GCC pose for a photo ahead of the AlUla summit. (SPA)
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AlUla Declaration Ends Qatar Rift, Looks to Preserve Gulf Security, Stability

The leaders of the GCC pose for a photo ahead of the AlUla summit. (SPA)
The leaders of the GCC pose for a photo ahead of the AlUla summit. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced on Tuesday that the AlUla declaration turns the page on the past and opens a new chapter for the Gulf in order to achieve the stability and security of the region and its people.

The AlUla declaration was signed at the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council summit that was hosted by Saudi Arabia earlier on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, chaired the summit on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

“Today’s Summit ends the diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar,” Prince Faisal said at a press conference with GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf at the end of the summit.

“Today’s summit ends the points of contention with Qatar,” stressed the minister.

“We will work together to confront the challenges facing the region,” he vowed. “The AlUla summit will impact the stability of the region”

“On Iran, it is important for the countries of the region to have a united stance on its nuclear program and malign meddling and behavior,” he stressed.

“The statements we have heard from the Biden administration assure us that it is aware of Iran’s threat,” said Prince Faisal. “It is essential for the Arab voice to be heard.”

“The political determination of the Gulf leaders is a major guarantee for implementing the AlUla agreement,” he added. “We are very optimistic that today’s agreement will positively impact the Gulf region and Arab world.”

The summit, continued the FM, was significant because it prioritized the higher national interests of the GCC and Arab national security.

“It is therefore, sending a message to the entire world that no matter the disputes within the same house, the wisdom of its leaders is capable of overcoming everything and guiding the region, its countries and people to safety,” he stressed.

The members of the council underscored their solidarity and need to refrain from infringing on the security and sovereignty of any of their countries and the social fabric and security of their people, he continued.

For his part, al-Hajraf stressed that the Gulf countries often overcome all challenges with determination and strength.

The 41st GCC summit has paved the way for a new era of joint Gulf work, represented in the reconciliation, he told the press.

“As people of the Gulf, we look to the future with all the hopes, aspirations and opportunities it holds to establishing a cohesive Gulf entity that can serve its nations and peoples and push forward development, security and stability,” he remarked.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák.

They reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests and discussed regional and international developments, SPA reported.

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Slovak Republic, aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields.


Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”