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Saudi Arabia Stresses Keenness on Stability of Iraq, Security in Syria

King Salman chairs the virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs the virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Keenness on Stability of Iraq, Security in Syria

King Salman chairs the virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs the virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its keenness on stability in Iraq as it seeks to impose its sovereignty over all its territories.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held virtually.

The Kingdom had expressed its position on Iraq during the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which was held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

At the meeting, Riyadh also addressed the situation in Syria and areas that have been liberated from ISIS.

It also welcomed the formation of a working group that would focus on ISIS' growing threat in Africa.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi said the Saudi government expressed its deep sorrow over the death of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It congratulated Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as his successor, saying the Kingdom is looking forward to further strengthening relations with the UAE under his leadership.

The cabinet addressed Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank and Second Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting of the G20.

The Kingdom emphasized the importance of joint work to tackle global economic setbacks stemming from the recent geopolitical tensions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of prudent climate policies to ensure stable energy market conditions and just transition that are necessary for global economic stability.

On Yemen, the cabinet addressed Saudi Arabia's humanitarian initiative to release 163 Houthi detainees, who had taken part in hostilities against the Kingdom.

The move, it said, aims to support all efforts to establish peace in Yemen and end the conflict.

It also backs UN efforts to stabilize the current nationwide truce, create an atmosphere that is conducive to dialogue between Yemeni parties.

The cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's recent hosting of various events, including the launch of the Saudi Census 2022, the International Conference and Exhibition for Education (ICEE) 2022, and the Future Aviation Forum.

The cabinet lauded the growth of Saudi Arabia's GDP by 9.6% in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, marking the highest growth rate in the past ten years that has been driven by the increase in oil and non-oil activities.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss Efforts to Bolster Regional Security, Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss Efforts to Bolster Regional Security, Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. 

The talks focused on the latest regional developments and efforts exerted towards them to bolster stability and security. 

King Hamad had arrived in the Saudi capital earlier on Tuesday. He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by the Crown Prince. 

The talks between the two leaders also tackled the historic ties between their countries and aspects of cooperation and means to bolster and develop them. 

Crown Prince Mohammed underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on deepening the close fraternal relations with Bahrain in all fields. 

For his part, King Hamad hailed the efforts by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed to strengthen ties between their countries. 

He also praised the honorable historic Saudi stances taken towards Bahrain and its people on all occasions. 

He expressed his appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s efforts in developing collective Gulf work and its pioneering role in supporting the pillars of security, peace and stability in the region. 

Gulf

What Does the Approval of an Advanced Command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait Signify?

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman attends the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council in Manama, Bahrain, November 10, 2026. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman attends the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council in Manama, Bahrain, November 10, 2026. (SPA)
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What Does the Approval of an Advanced Command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait Signify?

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman attends the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council in Manama, Bahrain, November 10, 2026. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman attends the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council in Manama, Bahrain, November 10, 2026. (SPA)

GCC defense ministers on Tuesday approved the launch of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait and allocated appropriate forces to it.

The ministers met at the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council in Manama, chaired by Bahrain's Minister of Defense Affairs and current session president, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi.

Analysts and observers speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat viewed the step as a significant move toward strengthening joint Gulf security.

Political researcher Dr. Ayed Al-Manna said the announcement was a step that is both necessary and urgent to guarantee collective Gulf security through the presence of forces tasked with protecting GCC states, independent of any internal disputes or differences.

Al-Manna told Asharq Al-Awsat that unprovoked Iranian attacks against GCC states underscored the critical need for constant, comprehensive readiness to deter external aggression.

The Gulf faces multiple threats, led primarily by the Iranian axis and its regional proxies, including militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

However, Al-Manna added that the security challenges extend beyond this, pointing to threats stemming from Israel and concerns surrounding the "Greater Israel" project.

He noted that the lack of stability in several regional countries and “ambitions” of targeting the Gulf, makes it imperative to boost military readiness and activate the unified Gulf force.

This step should have been taken a long time ago to bolster the security of all GCC states, he remarked.

He underscored the importance of equipping Gulf forces with the necessary military components and capabilities to enable them to deter and respond to any external aggression, meeting the collective security requirements of the council's member states.

Former Saudi officer Abdullatif Al Mulhem told Asharq Al-Awsat that establishing the Unified Military Command is a vital step in advancing joint Gulf military cooperation.

It is essential given the region's current security developments, which demand heightened coordination and readiness among the armed forces of the Gulf countries, he said.

Al Mulhem explained that the military significance of the decision lies in the GCC states strengthening the organizational structure of joint military action through an advanced command. This step is expected to boost coordination among Gulf forces and bolster their capacity to handle shared challenges and threats.

Saudi Arabia is expected to host the upcoming meeting of the Joint Defense Council as announced by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Manama meeting.

Gulf

Saudi FM Attends Saudi-Qatari-E4 Meeting on Sidelines of G7 Ministerial Meeting in Paris

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the Paris meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the Paris meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Attends Saudi-Qatari-E4 Meeting on Sidelines of G7 Ministerial Meeting in Paris

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the Paris meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom at the Paris meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part on Tuesday in a ministerial meeting between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the E4 countries, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting in Paris.

The meeting addressed recent developments in the Middle East, including the terrorist Houthi militia’s continued attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Yemen and Saudi Arabia and their implications for regional security.

Participants also discussed diplomatic efforts to support mediation between the United States and Iran to de-escalate tensions and contain ongoing regional crises.

The ministers underscored the importance of strengthening international coordination to secure regional waterways, keep trade flowing, and maintain global supply chains.

Also in Paris, Prince Faisal met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha for talks on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them across various fields.

They discussed joint efforts to achieve peace and exchanged views on key regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The ministers signed a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom and Ukraine on the mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.