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After AlUla Summit, What’s Next for Gulf States?

A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
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After AlUla Summit, What’s Next for Gulf States?

A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP
A Saudi journalist passes by a screen displaying the GCC logo. AP

Gulf Arab leaders signed a declaration on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to mark a new page in relations after ending a feud with Qatar that lasted over 40 months, leaving many to speculate about what’s next.

At the 41st annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in AlUla, the four countries that jointly boycotted Qatar — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain — restored diplomatic ties with Doha.

Reconciliation ensures that higher interests of the peoples of the six Gulf states that make up the GCC are maintained.

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC Abdulaziz Hamad Aluwaisheg said that now is the time for Gulf states to discuss issues that triggered differences and establish a mechanism for resolving them.

Aluwaisheg added that the first step towards a solution has been taken.

Confirming reconciliation with Qatar, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said that the 41st GCC summit has opened a new phase of "solidarity" and "stability" between regional states.

Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen air, land and sea borders with Qatar ahead of holding the GCC summit in AlUla was perceived as a milestone towards resolving the Gulf dispute. Observers said that the summit succeeded before even starting.

Gulf countries signed “AlUla Declaration” at the conclusion of the GCC summit, outlining the features of restoring multi-faceted cooperation after the union having suffered fluxes in its influential role in enhancing the security and stability of the region for over three years.

Mounting Iranian threats demand that regional states unite in a firm stance.

Aluwaisheg, in a phone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, confirmed that the GCC can now achieve progress on various tracks more swiftly, saying reconciliation will have a positive effect on political cohesion and economic achievement.

For the political track, reconciliation has managed to unite the stances of GCC states on Iran, especially on facing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and meddling in the internal affairs of neighbors.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Lifts Early Warning Alerts Issued in Ten Cities

Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Lifts Early Warning Alerts Issued in Ten Cities

Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Civil Defense sent an all clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for potential ⁠danger in several cities of the kingdom as part of emergency procedures to alert residents.

The alerts included Riyadh, al-Kharj, Khamis Mushait, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, AlUla, Jazan, Farasan and Abha.

The sirens had been activated in those cities and governorates as part of the emergency early warning system before the Civil Defense later declared that the danger had passed.

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of refraining from circulating rumors and videos from unknown sources, emphasizing that information related to emergency situations should be obtained from official sources. Residents should comply with instructions and guidance issued by the relevant authorities, it added.

Gulf

Saudi Electronic University Renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman

Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
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Saudi Electronic University Renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman

Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered the Saudi Electronic University in Riyadh renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman, following a recommendation by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The directive honors Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman for his distinguished service and contributions as one of the Kingdom’s prominent statesmen.

Prince Musaid, a brother of Saudi Arabia’s founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, was born at Al-Hukm Palace in Riyadh in 1918. He studied at one of the capital’s leading traditional Quranic schools before attending lessons in Islamic studies and Arabic under several prominent scholars.

He held a series of senior government positions, serving as an adviser to King Saud bin Abdulaziz, president of the Board of Grievances in 1954, state auditor before the establishment of the General Auditing Bureau, royal adviser and Cabinet member in 1957, interior minister in 1960, and minister of finance and national economy in 1962. He died in Riyadh on Dec. 9, 1986.

Commitment to knowledge

Prince Musaid was known from an early age for his interest in education, knowledge and culture. In 1944, he established Riyadh’s first public library inside his palace, assembling a collection of valuable books and manuscripts and opening it to students and visitors.

Renaming the university, established in Riyadh in 2011, is intended to carry forward that intellectual legacy and preserve the memory of a national figure closely associated with education and public service.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman referred to Prince Musaid’s forward-looking ideas in a 2021 television interview, recalling a real estate development proposal he had put forward more than five decades earlier.

The Crown Prince said the proposal, raised during the reign of King Faisal and the beginning of King Khalid’s reign, faced opposition from ministers and officials who resisted allowing greater private-sector involvement.

He said the rejection contributed to poor urban planning and services in Saudi housing developments, adding that had the proposal been implemented at the time, Saudi Arabia could have developed some of the world’s largest real estate companies. He cited ROSHN as a company now seeking to help meet housing demand in the Kingdom.

Honoring his legacy

Prince Musaid’s public service has previously been commemorated. In 2017, the General Auditing Bureau named the main hall at its new Riyadh headquarters after him, honoring his role as the bureau’s first president and his contribution to establishing its administrative and professional foundations.

At the hall’s inauguration in early 2018, Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz paid tribute to Prince Musaid’s work and his role in laying the foundations for the institution’s approach.

Dr. Mohammed bin Yahya Mardi, president of the newly renamed university, said the name carries national and academic significance and reflects the leadership’s recognition of Prince Musaid’s contributions to the Kingdom.

Mardi noted that the prince’s longstanding interest in education, culture, and knowledge aligns with the university’s mission to build capabilities and expand access to learning.

He said the university would continue pursuing excellence and innovation while strengthening its national impact, drawing inspiration from the intellectual and national legacy associated with Prince Musaid’s name.

Mardi added that continued government support has helped drive significant advances in Saudi higher education, enabling universities to develop human capital, advance knowledge, serve society and contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

 

 

Gulf

Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif
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Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab and regional officials and organizations condemned on Friday the recent Houthi attacks targeting Taif, expressing solidarity with those affected and stressing the need to respect international law and protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Condemnations poured in from the GCC secretary-general, Arab interior ministers, the Arab League, the Muslim World League and several countries, including Syria, Mauritania, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Kenya, over the Houthi attacks.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the drone attack describing it as a heinous assault.

Falling debris from the drone killed one person and injured others, while also causing material damage, SPA said.

The condemnations emphasized that Houthi attacks on civilian areas represented a dangerous escalation and violation of international law, calling for firm international action to halt the attacks, hold those responsible accountable and protect civilians.

They reiterated their firm solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting threats to its security and territorial integrity, affirming support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its sovereignty, citizens and residents.