Muslim World League Chief Visits Macedonia to Reinforce Ties

Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
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Muslim World League Chief Visits Macedonia to Reinforce Ties

Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of Al-Issa’s meeting with Macedonian leaders (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

President Dr. Stevo Pendarovski of the Republic of North Macedonia met in Skopje the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.

During the meeting, Pendarovski commended Al-Issa's role in promoting tolerance and coexistence in the world. He added that Europe considers him as the most influential Islamic figure.

Al-Issa said the MWL is keen to build bridges between peoples in order to enhance peace worldwide.

Also, Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament, Dr. Talat Xhaferi held talks with Al-Issa, and they discussed ways to enhance joint action, in the presence of the heads of parliamentary committees and senior Macedonian statesmen.

Al-Issa later visited the Islamic Sheikhdom in North Macedonia and met with the Chief Scholar, Sheikh Hafiz Shakir Effendi, in the presence of muftis and scholars.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation and several issues of common interest.

Al-Issa also delivered a lecture on the nature of human diversity, according to Islamic concepts. The Sheikhdom decided to translate the lecture into all the languages of the Balkan countries

Moreover, Skopje Cathedral welcomed the Secretary-General's visit, highlighting its significance.

For his part, Al-Issa underscored that Macedonia is a distinguished model of coexistence.

He further convened with members of the Governmental Committee for Relations with Sects and Religious Groups at its headquarters in Skopje. He also discussed with the Director of the Committee, advisers, senior government officials, and advisors several vital matters.



Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports
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Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority: Three People Injured in Attacks on Jazan and Najran Airports

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport came under attack on Monday evening, adding that emergency teams and relevant authorities began responding immediately in line with approved procedures and plans.

The authority said the attacks slightly injured three people and caused material damage. The injured were taken to hospital for medical treatment, it added.

GACA said it was continuing to coordinate with relevant security agencies to assess the damage and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff and maintain the security and safety of the Kingdom's civil aviation system.

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned the attacks on Saudi airports, calling them a serious escalation and violation of international law. He urged the international community to hold those responsible accountable and reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security measures.


GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council on Monday reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backed efforts to promote peace and prosperity.

The GCC statement came during a phone call between Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi and Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba. The two officials discussed the latest developments in Yemen amid the country’s current circumstances and rapidly unfolding events in the region.

Albudaiwi reiterated that Yemen’s security and stability are of fundamental importance to the security and stability of GCC states and the wider region. He said the council would continue to stand with Yemen and its people and support all efforts to promote security, stability, peace, dignified living and prosperity.


Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on Monday that Washington understands the steps taken by the Saudi-led Arab coalition against the terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen.

The Trump administration is determined to meet its bilateral security commitments with the Kingdom in confronting threats from the Iran-backed group.

“The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia and we intend to live by it. I won’t discuss details further than that,” Rubio told a press conference before departing on a European trip that includes Iceland, Greece and Portugal.

“As far as our view of it, well, I think it’s – the Saudis and Yemeni forces clearly are not in favor of the Houthis controlling that territory close to the – to the [Bab al-Mandeb] strait there,” he added.

“It is territory that was gained as a result of a Houthi offensive, and this is the counter to it. We expected that would happen and that’s what’s happening,” he remarked.

“So obviously the Saudis have come under Houthi attack and see the threat that that poses, and they have a right to defend themselves. And obviously the Yemeni forces are going to try to retake territory that they were ousted from,” Rubio added.