Egypt, UAE Agree to Bolster Military, Security Cooperation

Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, UAE Agree to Bolster Military, Security Cooperation

Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to continue security and military coordination and consultations.

This came during a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held and Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani al-Rumaithi in Cairo on Wednesday.

Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production General Mohamed Zaki and UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative in the Arab League Mariam Khalifa al-Kaabi attended the meeting.

Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said Sisi conveyed his most sincere greetings to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing the UAE further development and prosperity.

He affirmed that the relationship between the two countries is the cornerstone of the stability of the Middle East and the Arab region.

Rumaithi underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

He said the UAE is keen to enhance the bilateral strategic cooperation in all areas, most notably in exchanging military expertise.

Special forces from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Greece conducted a four-way joint military exercise in September.

Dubbed ‘Hercules-21,’ the four-day drill was held for the first time at the Special Forces Training Center in Peramos, Greece, and it aimed at confronting terrorist elements and exchanging expertise.

The military exercise included lectures on countering terrorism, training on managing joint combat operations among the participating elements, training on fighting in closed and open spaces, hostage rescue and medical evacuation.

Forces were also trained to carry out airdrops and sea landings from the thunderbolt and parachutes as well as raids.

In November, naval and air forces from Egypt, the UAE, Greece and Cyprus also held a joint military exercise, dubbed Medusa 11, in Greece.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.