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Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Meets President, Members of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets President, Members of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Thursday with the president and members of the newly formed Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, expressing the Kingdom’s hope that its establishment would turn a new page in Yemen.

The Crown Prince further stressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness on supporting the country’s security and stability.

The reception was attended by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Head of State Security Abdulaziz Al-Huwairini, Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber.

Meanwhile, Gulf, Arab and other states on Thursday welcomed the Yemeni president’s decision to transfer his powers to the new presidential council, headed by Rashad Al-Alimi.

Saudi Arabia hailed the announcement of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi on launching the presidential council under the Yemeni constitution and the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanisms.

In this regard, Saudi Arabia announced providing urgent $3 billion support to the Yemeni economy, including $2 billion from the Kingdom and UAE to support the Central Bank of Yemen and a $1 billion Saudi grant for petroleum products and development.

Moreover, Riyadh called for an international conference to support Yemen’s economy and said it would give $300 million to the United Nations aid response to the country’s humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia urged the new presidential leadership council to start negotiating with the Houthis, under the supervision of the United Nations, to reach a final and comprehensive political solution that includes a transitional period that will lead Yemen to peace and development.

In a statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the formation of a new presidential council in Yemen with full presidential powers, saying it hopes that such a step will help Yemen complete the transitional phase and move toward security and safety.

“Egypt has followed with the utmost interest the formation of the presidential leadership council in the Yemeni republic, with full presidential powers, to complete the tasks of the transitional phase in Yemen, according to the constitution and the Gulf initiative,” the statement read.

The Jordanian government, for its part, welcomed the new development, expressing full support for reaching a political solution for the Yemeni crisis, based on the approved references, namely the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms, the Yemeni Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

Jordan also commended economic support provided by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to support the Yemeni economy, alleviate the suffering of the people and finance the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) announced by the United Nations.

Russia has also welcomed the establishment of the Yemeni presidential council.

“We hope that members of the Presidential Leadership Council will do everything in their power to stabilize the situation in Yemen and restore this historically friendly country to a peaceful life,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

On the GCC level, Bahrain affirmed its full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability and development, and end the Yemeni crisis through a comprehensive political solution between the different Yemeni components.

Kuwait also praised on Thursday the decision to form the council, a step in line with the Yemeni constitution and the GCC peace initiative. A statement by the foreign ministry expressed the country’s full support to the council’s efforts to achieve stability, peace, and security for Yemen and its people.

Similarly, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, GCC Secretary General, welcomed the announcement made by Hadi to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period, in accordance with the Yemeni constitution, and the GCC initiative and its executive mechanism.

From the Egyptian capital, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit lauded the decision, expressing his hope that the new council would lead the country towards peace.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha, for his part, said he hoped that this declaration would contribute to ending the fighting in Yemen and supporting negotiations between all Yemeni parties.

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Gulf

Saudi Hajj Minister Inspects Readiness of Mina Camps Ahead of Hajj

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah during his inspection tour on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah during his inspection tour on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj Minister Inspects Readiness of Mina Camps Ahead of Hajj

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah during his inspection tour on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah during his inspection tour on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah inspected on Tuesday the readiness of the camps in Mina ahead of the Hajj, as part of field tours to assess service levels.

He noted that preparations began early, boosting camp readiness and operational efficiency through coordinated efforts among relevant entities.

New electronic systems have been introduced this year to monitor pilgrim movement and regulate entry and exit from the camps, alongside the installation of signage at entrances and exits indicating departure and return times and other instructions, he revealed.

The measures support crowd management and bolster pilgrim safety, aligning with the ministry’s efforts to ensure full readiness and advance the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

The General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque welcomed the first groups of pilgrims arriving to perform the Hajj.

The presidency emphasized on Tuesday its commitment to leveraging its religious and scholarly resources to serve pilgrims and provide guidance and instruction to help them perform the Hajj rituals in accordance with correct Prophetic teachings.

The presidency's staff, including scholars, preachers, and translators, welcomed pilgrims, guided them, and responded to their inquiries.

The services were delivered through various platforms, including interactive screens, printed materials, and direct guidance, reflecting the Two Holy Mosques’ scholarly and outreach mission to promote the values of moderation and tolerance and to foster intercultural dialogue among Muslims.

Gulf

Qatar Warns Against Internationalizing Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari. Asharq Al-Awsat
Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Qatar Warns Against Internationalizing Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari. Asharq Al-Awsat
Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari. Asharq Al-Awsat

Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Majed Al Ansari has said that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would transform the regional crisis into a global one.

He stressed on Tuesday that the strait is connected to the energy sector, supply and logistics chains, export and re-export operations.

“The impact of closing the strait would be felt even at the household level and basic services in countries thousands of kilometers away from the region," Al Ansari warned.

He also stressed that ensuring that the strait remains open to navigation is a shared international responsibility, expressing Qatar's commitment to its international partners and its continued role as a reliable partner in the energy sector, while continuing coordination to ensure maritime security and market stability

“Reaching solutions to this crisis represents a priority for Qatar's national security and national interests and those of its partners,” he said.

Al Ansari affirmed that Qatar continues to maintain ongoing communication with various parties, including the United States, to follow developments and to support efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to end the crisis.

During the Ministry's weekly media briefing, Al Ansari stressed Qatar's full support for the efforts undertaken by Pakistan, which is mediating between Iran and the US.

Regarding Lebanon, Al Ansari affirmed Qatar's firm position in supporting the unity and sovereignty of Lebanon, condemning violations and attacks that resulted in casualties and large-scale displacement, and welcoming the ceasefire as an initial step toward de-escalation.

He also stressed the need for full adherence to the ceasefire.

“All regional crises can only be resolved through the negotiating table,” he added.

Gulf

Gulf Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security, Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi speaks at the symposium in Riyadh on Tuesday. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi speaks at the symposium in Riyadh on Tuesday. (GCC)
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Gulf Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security, Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi speaks at the symposium in Riyadh on Tuesday. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi speaks at the symposium in Riyadh on Tuesday. (GCC)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed on Tuesday the council’s firm support for Lebanon and everything that can bolster its security, stability and sovereignty.

Albudaiwi sponsored a symposium on GCC relations with Lebanon, “Challenges and Drivers”, organized by the Political Affairs and Negotiations Sector at the General Secretariat in Riyadh. The event was attended by a number of ambassadors to Saudi Arabia, as well as officials and experts.

Albudaiwi said GCC countries “view Lebanon as an integral part of its Arab surroundings and an important pillar of regional stability.”

“Relations between the GCC countries and Lebanon are historic and robust, built and consolidated on many foundations and bonds, foremost among them the bond of brotherhood, which has remained unchanged despite all developments and circumstances,” he stressed.

The leaders of GCC countries have repeatedly underlined the need for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 in Lebanon. They have also repeatedly expressed their support for Lebanon’s state institutions, added Albudaiwi.

“The GCC welcomes the steps taken by the government to extend the state’s control over all Lebanese territory and ensure that arms are held exclusively by the state, as an indispensable foundation for restoring stability and building trust with the Arab and international communities,” he went on to say.

“During our visits to Beirut and our meetings with Lebanese leaders, we were keen to convey a clear message that the GCC countries will remain an active partner in supporting Lebanon and its recovery,” he remarked.

He acknowledged the complex challenges Lebanon is currently facing, which require concerted international efforts to support and assist it.

He noted that the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, which resulted in the displacement of more than a million people and left more than 2,000 dead, places Lebanon before a major humanitarian and security challenge.

Albudaiwi stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the international community and regional organizations to support the capabilities of the Lebanese army, control borders, and combat smuggling and illicit activities, “to restore Lebanon’s position as a trusted partner within its Arab and international surroundings.”

“GCC countries will remain by Lebanon’s side,” he declared.

“Lebanon’s future begins from within, through the will of its people and their ability to build a strong and stable state,” he stressed.

He expressed confidence that Lebanon “is capable of overcoming its crises and returning to its natural role within its Arab surroundings, with the support of its brothers and friends, the determination of its people, and the wisdom of its leadership.”