UK to Exempt Gulf Citizens from Entry Visa as of 2023

The GCC ambassadors and British Home Secretary at the Bahrain Embassy in London. (SPA)
The GCC ambassadors and British Home Secretary at the Bahrain Embassy in London. (SPA)
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UK to Exempt Gulf Citizens from Entry Visa as of 2023

The GCC ambassadors and British Home Secretary at the Bahrain Embassy in London. (SPA)
The GCC ambassadors and British Home Secretary at the Bahrain Embassy in London. (SPA)

Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) nationals will be exempted from the visa requirements to enter the UK as of 2023 and benefit from the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme.

The ambassadors of the GCC countries in London met with British Home Secretary Priti Patel at the Bahraini Embassy. They lauded the British government's decision to exempt GCC citizens from entry visas and implement the new ETA system starting next year.

During the meeting, officials discussed the friendship between the UK and the GCC member states.

The ambassadors stressed the importance of the security and safety of GCC citizens in the UK, calling on the Home Secretary to raise the level of security response to repeated incidents targeting Gulf citizens in the UK.

Patel underscored the British government's interest in boosting cooperation between the security services, expressing the UK's aspiration to deepen cooperation with the GCC in all fields.

The British minister stressed the security authorities' keenness on the security and safety of all residents and visitors, adding that the concerned authorities are working to increase security and respond to reports of crimes.



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.