UAE, Ethiopia Discuss Regional Developments, Peacemaking in Horn of Africa

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
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UAE, Ethiopia Discuss Regional Developments, Peacemaking in Horn of Africa

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at al-Watan Palace.

The two officials discussed cooperation, joint work, and ways to enhance ties between the two countries various fields to advance their overall development efforts and interests.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Ahmed and expressed his pride in the constructive friendship that the UAE and Ethiopia have cultivated over the past years through dedicated work to serve the interests of their peoples and enhance security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed and the Prime Minister reviewed the progress and opportunities in the cooperation between their countries in various sectors, primarily developmental, economic, investment, and other vital industries.

The UAE-Ethiopia relations witnessed significant development during the past years, particularly in investment, agriculture, trade fields, among others.

They also exchanged views regarding the latest regional and global developments and several issues of mutual concern, especially issues related to peacemaking efforts in the Horn of Africa.

The Prime Minister briefed Shiekh Mohammed on the latest developments in the Ethiopian arena.

The Crown Prince highlighted the UAE's stance and approach to establishing peace and stability, given its firm belief that achieving development and building a better future for people requires building a solid foundation on pillars of stability, peace, coexistence, and cooperation.

He thanked the Ethiopian government for its support and condemnation of Houthis' attacks on civilian facilities in the UAE and its solidarity with the UAE in any measures taken.

He also pointed out that there is a close link between the security and stability of the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea region on the one hand and the security of the Horn of Africa on the other, calling for a unified and effective regional stance against the threat posed by the militia to the region.

Sheikh Mohamed wished success and good luck for the African Union Summit, which Ethiopia will host next February and aims to support stability, peace, security, and development in the African continent, especially since Ethiopia is a cornerstone of joint African action.

He also stressed that the UAE attaches great importance to its relations with Africa at the political, economic, trade, and developmental levels.

In turn, Abiy Ahmed lauded UAE's stances and initiatives supporting peace and stability in his country and wished continued progress and development for the Emirates.

He also praised the UAE's approach in terms of its relations with other countries, which is based on wise and balanced diplomacy.

The Prime Minister stated that UAE seeks to promote stability and peace in various countries, and its cooperation and solidarity with governments to address common challenges, and partnership and support for initiatives aimed at achieving prosperity and development for other nations.

The Prime Minister renewed his country's solidarity with the UAE in all the steps it takes to preserve its security and territorial integrity.

He also stressed that the terrorist attack poses a serious threat to regional peace and security, undermines peace efforts in the region, and violates all international and humanitarian norms and laws.



MWL Condemns Attack on UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ambulance crosses the Qasmiyeh bridge heading toward Sidon and Beirut. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ambulance crosses the Qasmiyeh bridge heading toward Sidon and Beirut. (AFP)
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MWL Condemns Attack on UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ambulance crosses the Qasmiyeh bridge heading toward Sidon and Beirut. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ambulance crosses the Qasmiyeh bridge heading toward Sidon and Beirut. (AFP)

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the attack targeting the French battalion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa reiterated the organization’s condemnation of attacks on UN agencies and their missions, as part of its broader rejection of all acts of violence and terrorism.

Al-Issa noted that the attack breaches international obligations concerning the safety and security of UN personnel.

He offered condolences to the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

A UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon came under attack with small arms fire Saturday morning, leaving one French peacekeeper dead and three others wounded, two of them seriously, France's president and the force known as UNIFIL said.

Both President Emmanuel Macron and the UNIFIL force blamed Hezbollah, but the group denied involvement.

The attack near the southern Lebanese village of Ghandouriyeh came after a 10-day ceasefire went into effect at midnight Thursday between Israel and Hezbollah.


First Flights of Makkah Route Initiative Beneficiaries Arrive in Madinah

Pilgrims from Türkiye are welcomed upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Pilgrims from Türkiye are welcomed upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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First Flights of Makkah Route Initiative Beneficiaries Arrive in Madinah

Pilgrims from Türkiye are welcomed upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Pilgrims from Türkiye are welcomed upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The first flights carrying beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The pilgrims arrived from Türkiye, Pakistan and Bangladesh and entered through the initiative's terminal at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The Makkah Route Initiative aims to deliver high-quality services to pilgrims from beneficiary countries by receiving them and completing their procedures with ease in their homelands. This begins with biometric data collection and the electronic issuance of Hajj visas, followed by passport procedures at the departure airport after verifying health requirements, and the coding and sorting of luggage in line with transport and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom.

Pilgrims then proceed directly to buses designated to take them to their residences in Makkah and Madinah via dedicated routes, while partner entities ensure their luggage is delivered to them.

The Ministry of Interior is implementing the initiative in its eighth year in cooperation with the ministries of foreign affairs, health, Hajj and Umrah, and media, along with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports, in integration with the digital partner stc Group.

The initiative has served 1,254,994 pilgrims since its launch in 2017.


Arab, Islamic Countries Condemn Israel for Appointing Diplomatic Representative to ‘Somaliland’

 This picture taken on November 7, 2024 shows a general view of the city of Hargeisa, capital and largest city of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland. (AFP)
This picture taken on November 7, 2024 shows a general view of the city of Hargeisa, capital and largest city of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland. (AFP)
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Arab, Islamic Countries Condemn Israel for Appointing Diplomatic Representative to ‘Somaliland’

 This picture taken on November 7, 2024 shows a general view of the city of Hargeisa, capital and largest city of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland. (AFP)
This picture taken on November 7, 2024 shows a general view of the city of Hargeisa, capital and largest city of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland. (AFP)

The foreign ministers of several Arab and Islamic countries slammed Israel on Saturday for announcing the appointment of a diplomatic representative to the so-called “Somaliland” in “flagrant violation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.”

The ministers reiterated their “unequivocal rejection of all unilateral measures that undermine the unity of states or infringe upon their sovereignty.”

They underscored “their firm and unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, as well as for its legitimate state institutions, being the sole representative of the will of the Somali people.”

The ministers stressed that such actions are “a blatant violation of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and set a dangerous precedent that risks undermining stability in the Horn of Africa,” which will have a negative impact on regional peace and security.

The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, Libya, Sudan, Algeria, Pakistan, Türkiye, Indonesia and Bangladesh.