Iraqi PM Vows to Develop Relations with Saudi Arabia in All Fields

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
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Iraqi PM Vows to Develop Relations with Saudi Arabia in All Fields

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Monday Iraq's openness to developing partnerships with Saudi Arabia in various sectors.

Al-Sudani held talks with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, in Baghdad.

According to the PM’s office, the meeting witnessed a review of the overall prospects for cooperation between their countries, and ways to develop bilateral relations, for the benefit of their people.

The PM underscored openness towards developing partnership with the Kingdom in various sectors, especially in the economic and energy fields and in investment. He also stressed coordination in confronting the effects of climate change, and efforts to limit its repercussions on the region.

For his part, Al-Qasabi conveyed to Sudani the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He underlined the continuation of work of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, which includes cooperation in the economic, investment, tourism, security fields and others.

Al-Qasabi, who is also the head of the Saudi side of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is visiting Iraq to strengthen economic relations and follow up on the outcomes of the Council meetings.

He also met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Dr. Muhammad Ali Tamim.

The tackled ways of consolidating the strategic partnership within the framework of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council as well as enhancing joint cooperation in important international and regional affairs, protecting common interests, and developing partnership between the private sectors.

The Coordination Council was established during the government of former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

It aims to bolster communication between the two countries and to elevate bilateral relations in various fields, including economics, development, security, investment, tourism, culture, and media.

The Saudi minister's visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq that took place on March 19, 2003.



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.