Saudi Arabia Confirms Total Condemnation of Houthi Targeting of Civilians

King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Confirms Total Condemnation of Houthi Targeting of Civilians

King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)
King Salman bin Abdulaziz while presiding over a Council of Ministers' session via videoconference (SPA)

The Saudi Council of Ministers renewed on Tuesday its condemnation of both civilian targeting by Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias in Yemen and their continued aggressive attacks launched from the coastal governorate of Hodeidah in violation of the UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement.

During a virtual session chaired by King Salman, the Council reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for the people of Yemen and the official state and called on all warring parties to accept political solutions presented to end the Yemeni crisis.

The push for a political settlement chiefly aims to unite ranks among all components of the Yemeni spectrum in a way that allows Yemen to complete its march towards restoring the state, its security, and stability.

Acceptance among parties would also support efforts to reach a comprehensive political resolution within the framework outlined by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative, the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue, and UN Security Council resolution 2216.

Separately, the Council reviewed efforts made by Saudi state agencies to enhance development gains and achieve more progress through the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The vision's programs are based on increasing and sustaining economic growth in all fields and developing new sectors based on the prominent location and leading position of the Kingdom.

As for the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics launch by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Council deemed it as the beginning of a new phase of improving services and integrating systems in a vital sector.

The strategy will consolidate the Kingdom's position as a global logistics center linking the three continents through a package of qualitative initiatives and projects that will contribute to achieving economic and social goals and enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness regionally and globally.

More so, the Council touched on the Kingdom's views around the two special sessions on Africa, multilateralism, and international governance to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The two extraordinary sessions were held on the sidelines of the meeting of the Foreign and Development Ministers of G20 under the Italian Presidency in Matera City.

Saudi Arabia had expressed its support for international and regional efforts that seek to lay the foundations for stability, security, and conflict resolution in Africa, where it looks forward towards a show of global solidarity, promotion of investment in various fields, and enclosure of partnerships and effective cooperation in the face of challenges that threaten the world and humanity.

The Council also stressed the Kingdom's firm stance about clearing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and supporting cooperation that stands to ban WMDs and condemn their use.

During the 97th session of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Kingdom showed great interest in the convention banning weapons of mass destruction, which affirms its role in strengthening international peace and security.



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
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UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.