Saudi Arabia to Host Arab Summit on May 19

A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Arab Summit on May 19

A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)

The 32nd Arab summit will be held in Saudi Arabia on May 19, announced the General Secretariat of the Arab League.

The League’s assistant secretary general, Hossam Zaki, said the decision came after consultations between Sec-Gen Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Saudi government.

He indicated that Saudi Arabia welcomed hosting the summit on the specified date.

Zaki said that "the summit will be preceded by several preparatory meetings between senior officials and ministers over five days.”

The League indicated that 2023 is expected to witness the Arab development summit in Mauritania and the Arab-African summit in Saudi Arabia.

Aboul Gheit suggested in press statements during his visit to Lebanon that the main topic of the summit should focus on economic issues and helping the neediest Arab regions.

Earlier, spokesperson Gamal Roushdy confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that consultations are underway between the Arab League and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop the best possible agenda of issues at the forefront of joint Arab action.

Roushdy explained that the discussions often continue until the summit's date next May to address all the developments.

The official spokesman expected that the Palestinian issue would be at the forefront of the points on the summit's agenda, being a central issue of the Arabs. He also indicated that the recent developments in the occupied territories, including the Israeli violations, would be addressed at the summit.



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.