Assad, Saudi FM Discuss in Damascus Steps to Resolve Syrian Crisis

This handout picture released by the Syrian Presidency Facebook page shows Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) receiving Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus on April 18, 2023. (Syrian Presidency Facebook page / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Presidency Facebook page shows Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) receiving Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus on April 18, 2023. (Syrian Presidency Facebook page / AFP)
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Assad, Saudi FM Discuss in Damascus Steps to Resolve Syrian Crisis

This handout picture released by the Syrian Presidency Facebook page shows Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) receiving Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus on April 18, 2023. (Syrian Presidency Facebook page / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Presidency Facebook page shows Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) receiving Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus on April 18, 2023. (Syrian Presidency Facebook page / AFP)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received in Damascus on Tuesday Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdulllah.

This marked the first time a Saudi official visits Syria since 2011, when the country’s conflict erupted.

A statement published by Saudi Press Agency said Prince Farhan’s visit came “within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness and interest to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that would end all its repercussions and preserve Syria’s unity, security, stability, and Arab identity and restore it to its Arab surroundings.”

Assad and Prince Faisal discussed the steps needed to reach a comprehensive political settlement to the Syrian crisis that would resolve all of its consequences, achieve the national interest and restore Syria’s position in its Arab surroundings.

Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Assad and the Syrian government and people.

Assad, in return, wished the Saudi government and people further progress and development.

Prince Faisal stressed the need to provide the suitable conditions for the delivery of aid to all Syrian regions, return of refugees to their homes and take more measures that would help restore stability throughout Syria.

Prince Faisal was received at Damascus International Airport by Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam.

Syrian state television said Assad and Prince Faisal discussed bilateral relations between their countries and Arab and international political issues.

They tackled bilateral relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia with Prince Faisal stressing the Kingdom’s support to Syria and everything that would preserve its territorial integrity, security and stability.



Saudi Arabia Summons Iraq’s Ambassador over Drone Threats

The Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Iraqi Ambassador Safia Al Souhail. SPA
The Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Iraqi Ambassador Safia Al Souhail. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Summons Iraq’s Ambassador over Drone Threats

The Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Iraqi Ambassador Safia Al Souhail. SPA
The Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Iraqi Ambassador Safia Al Souhail. SPA

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it had summoned Iraqi Ambassador Safia Al Souhail over what it described as threats targeting ⁠the Kingdom and ⁠other Gulf states from drones ⁠launched from Iraqi territory.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Undersecretary for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati delivered a formal complaint to the Iraqi diplomat, "stressing the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of attacks originating from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and the Gulf states.”

He "emphasized the importance of ⁠Iraq ⁠dealing responsibly with these threats and attacks.”

The statement said that Al-Sati also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s firm rejection of violations of states’ sovereignty and attempts to threaten the security and stability of the region, stressing that it will take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its territories.


Saudi Foreign Minister, Korean Presidential Special Envoy Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister and the Special Envoy of the President of South Korea (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister and the Special Envoy of the President of South Korea (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Korean Presidential Special Envoy Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister and the Special Envoy of the President of South Korea (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister and the Special Envoy of the President of South Korea (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Sunday Chief of Staff to the President of Korea and Presidential Special Envoy Kang Hoon-sik.

During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation relations between the two friendly countries.

They also discussed developments in the region and their repercussions for the regional security and the global economy.


Oman FM Says Success in US-Iran Talks May Require 'Painful Concessions'

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, (File photo: AP)
Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, (File photo: AP)
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Oman FM Says Success in US-Iran Talks May Require 'Painful Concessions'

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, (File photo: AP)
Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, (File photo: AP)

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi on Sunday called for more talks between Iran and the US and for the ceasefire to be extended, hours after negotiations failed to reach a deal during a high-stakes meeting in Pakistan.

"I urge that the ceasefire be extended and talks continue," Al-Busaidi wrote in a post on X.

"Success may require everyone to make painful concessions, but this is nothing as compared to the pain of failure and war."