Gulf Countries Reject Undermining of their Values, Regional, Int’l Contributions

The Gulf officials meet via videoconference on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Gulf officials meet via videoconference on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Gulf Countries Reject Undermining of their Values, Regional, Int’l Contributions

The Gulf officials meet via videoconference on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Gulf officials meet via videoconference on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Media ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries stressed on Thursday their condemnation and rejection of all systematic and spiteful media campaigns against Gulf countries.

Meeting via videoconference, they also slammed attempts aimed at undermining Gulf successes and contributions on regional and international levels.

They underlined the need for collective efforts to confront such campaigns and shed light on honorable Gulf achievements in all fields.

Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid al-Qasabi chaired the meeting that was attended by United Arab Emirates Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi; Bahrain’s Minister of Information Affairs Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi; Oman’s Minister of Information Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi; CEO of Qatar Media Corporation Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Thani bin Khalid Al Thani, and Kuwait’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information Mohammed Bader bin Naji. GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf also took part in the meeting.

The ministers emphasized their keenness to develop joint work in the media field in order to achieve the noble goals of the GCC, including deepening cooperation between their countries, maintaining desired sustainable development and bolstering regional and international security and stability.

The ministers reviewed a number of issues in the media field, including the implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council. They discussed the strategic plan for joint media cooperation in the GCC countries (2023-2030), and the results of the meetings of the specialized committees in the media fields.

They approved the various programs and joint projects presented on the agenda, including the radio and television programs produced by the GCC states. They approved cooperation projects between news agencies, electronic media and cooperation in the field of external media, as well as coordination and cooperation in technical and engineering fields related to reception and broadcasting channels and media.

The ministers congratulated Qatar on the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and its historic opening ceremony that reflects the great efforts that the country has exerted in organizing the landmark global event.

They also congratulated the Saudi national team on its historic against Argentina in their opening Group C match on Tuesday.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Syria Mosque

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Syria Mosque

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the deadly terrorist attack that targeted the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque during Friday prayers in the Syrian city of Homs.

In a statement, the ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of terrorism and extremism in all their forms, including attacks on mosques and places of worship and the targeting of innocent civilians.

It also expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Syria in this tragic incident and its support for the Syrian government’s efforts to uphold security and stability.

The ministry extended the Kingdom’s sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Syria, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and expressing hope for security and peace for Syria and its people.


New Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza Strip

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
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New Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza Strip

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA

A new Saudi aid convoy carrying essential food supplies, provided by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has arrived in the central Gaza Strip as part of the campaign to support the Palestinian people.

The aid was received on Thursday by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families.

This comes amid severe weather conditions that have caused flooding in the tents of displaced persons. In response, the center has set up several camps to shelter affected families and provide for their basic daily needs, aiming to alleviate the impact of the worsening humanitarian situation.

The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment, through its humanitarian arm KSrelief, to supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis and hardship.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Libyan Presidential Council on Death of Chief of Staff

Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Libyan Presidential Council on Death of Chief of Staff

Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Friday a cable of condolences to President of Libya's Presidential Council Dr. Mohamed Al-Menfi on the death of the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army and his companions following a plane crash in Türkiye earlier this week.

King Salman extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president and the families of the deceased.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent A-Menfi a similar cable.

Experts have started analyzing the black boxes recovered from the jet crash in Türkiye that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, the Turkish defense ministry said Thursday. The probe was being done in coordination with Libyan officials.

The private jet with Gen. Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, four other military officers and three crew members crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Ankara, killing everyone on board.

Libyan officials said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction on the plane.