Egypt, Qatar Agree to Bolster Joint Work Mechanisms

Egyptian Finance Minister and his Qatari counterpart in Doha (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egyptian Finance Minister and his Qatari counterpart in Doha (Egyptian Cabinet)
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Egypt, Qatar Agree to Bolster Joint Work Mechanisms

Egyptian Finance Minister and his Qatari counterpart in Doha (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egyptian Finance Minister and his Qatari counterpart in Doha (Egyptian Cabinet)

Egypt and Qatar seek to promote the mechanism of their joint work in all fields with an aim to contain the negative repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

On Thursday, Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait held talks with his Qatari counterpart Ali Bin Ahmed al Kuwari on the sidelines of their participation in the Qatar Economic Forum, held in Doha under the theme of “Equalizing Global Recovery.”

According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Cabinet on Thursday, the two sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, developing relations, stimulating investments, and developing joint action mechanisms to foster financial visions, positions, and policies at the bilateral and international levels.

The statement referred to the tangible progress made in the course of bilateral relations.

“Such progress aims to serve the goals and interests of the two countries and peoples in light of the current global economic challenges, which require concerted efforts to contain the negative repercussions of the war in Europe that is severely affecting the economies of all countries,” the cabinet statement said.

For his part, Maait asserted that Egypt has become an attractive destination for investments in numerous domains and that unprecedented major development projects are being implemented nationwide to provide promising investment opportunities.

Both ministers signed this week a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation between the two sides and continue consultations on financial policies and mechanisms to prevent double taxation and encourage joint investments.

The Cabinet statement quoted the Qatari Finance Minister as saying that the Egyptian-Qatari relations are “brotherly and historical”, and that Qatar is a main investor in Egypt in many domains.

Egypt and Qatar have strengthened their relations after Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Bahrain signed the Al-Ula Declaration with Doha in January 2021, ending years of a diplomatic rift that started in 2017.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.


Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said on Sunday that the Kingdom's defenses shot down a cruise missile in recent hours.

The interception process was successful, he added.

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats to ensure the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its territories.