GCC Affirms Support to Yemen’s Gov’t, Economy

 Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi during a meeting with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf in Riyadh on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi during a meeting with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf in Riyadh on Monday, March 14, 2022.
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GCC Affirms Support to Yemen’s Gov’t, Economy

 Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi during a meeting with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf in Riyadh on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi during a meeting with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf in Riyadh on Monday, March 14, 2022.

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi held talks in Riyadh on Monday with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf.

Hajraf affirmed the GCC support to Yemen's government and economy, stressing GCC efforts to boost Yemen’s foreign exchange rate and improve the basic services in the country.

He conveyed the greetings of the GCC leaders, who reiterated their support to the legitimate government under Hadi’s rule and the efforts to achieve economic stability, normalize security conditions and alleviate people’s suffering, Yemen’s official news agency Saba reported.

He underscored the GCC firm position in support of Yemen’s legitimacy and the need to end the crisis through a political solution based on the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the national dialogue conference and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

Hajraf pointed to the work done to complete the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement to unite efforts in the decisive battle against the Iranian-backed militias.

Hadi, for his part, hailed the GCC constant support to the Yemeni government despite all challenges and harsh conditions the country is going through due to the continued coup and the war waged by the Houthi militias, who are keen to waste opportunities to resolve the situation through peaceful means.

He underlined the militias’ escalation, which indicates their intention to import Iran’s experience into Yemen by force.

Talks touched on people’s suffering caused by the war and Houthi crimes, practices and violations against Yemenis.

Both sides also stressed the need to put an end to the Houthi vicious attacks targeting populated areas in the Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.



Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.


Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia and Slovenia signed on Friday a General Cooperation Agreement aimed at boosting cooperation across various fields.

The agreement was signed between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in Ljubljana.

The agreement also aims at intensifying joint efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the leadership and peoples of both countries toward further progress and prosperity, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.

Prince Faisal and Fajon held a meeting to discuss bilateral relations and means to develop them in various fields.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque on Friday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of attacks on places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood, stressing Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism.

It also extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

A suicide blast at a mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people and wounded scores more during Friday prayers.