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Moroccan Delegation Visits Abu Dhabi in Preparation for COP28

The Moroccan delegation in Abu Dhabi. (COP28 on Twitter)
The Moroccan delegation in Abu Dhabi. (COP28 on Twitter)
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Moroccan Delegation Visits Abu Dhabi in Preparation for COP28

The Moroccan delegation in Abu Dhabi. (COP28 on Twitter)
The Moroccan delegation in Abu Dhabi. (COP28 on Twitter)

A Moroccan delegation visited Abu Dhabi as part of preparations for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be organized in the UAE in November.

Headed by the director of Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation, Ismail Chekkori, the delegation included Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection Nazha Alaoui, Director of Partnerships at the Foundation Kenza Khalafi, Director of Partnership, Communication and Cooperation at the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Rachid Feradi, and Director of Climate Change Biodiversity and Green Economy at the Ministry Razi Bouzkari.

The delegation held discussions with Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and President-Designate of the COP 28, Adnan Amin, CEO of the COP28, and Majid Al Suwaidi, the Conference director-general.

The visit was an opportunity to study practical ways to support the UAE's presidency of the COP28, and to prepare for Morocco's participation at the conference.

During the meetings, officials reviewed Morocco’s experience in organizing the COP22, the initiatives taken by the country in this context, as well as the partnerships it forged in the field of combating climate change.

Emirati officials expressed their praise and appreciation for Morocco’s involvement and commitment to international and regional efforts aimed at combating climate change, in accordance with the vision of King Mohammed VI.

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Gulf

UAE Designates 21 Hezbollah-Linked Individuals, Entities as Terrorists

The UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Designates 21 Hezbollah-Linked Individuals, Entities as Terrorists

The UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The UAE on Wednesday branded 21 Lebanese people and organizations as "terrorists,” ordering the freezing of their assets as it accused them of ties to Hezbollah, the official Emirati news agency reported.

The WAM agency published the names of 16 Lebanese nationals and five organizations based in Lebanon that have been put on a list of supporters of groups designated as terror organizations.

"The United Arab Emirates has designated 21 individuals and entities on its Local Terrorist List over their links to Lebanon's Hezbollah," the agency said.

"All regulatory authorities are required to identify any individuals or entities connected through financial or commercial relationships with those listed, and to take the necessary measures in line with the applicable laws in the UAE, including freezing assets within less than 24 hours."

In March, Abu Dhabi announced the arrest of five members of a "terrorist network" linked to Hezbollah and Iran aiming to threaten the UAE's financial stability.

Gulf

Bahrain Sentences Three to Life for Spying for Iran’s IRGC

The flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain (BNA)
The flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain (BNA)
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Bahrain Sentences Three to Life for Spying for Iran’s IRGC

The flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain (BNA)
The flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain (BNA)

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced 24 defendants in separate cases tied to espionage for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), support for Iranian attacks against the Kingdom, and acts of violence and sabotage linked to those attacks.

The rulings included life sentences for three defendants, prison terms of up to 10 years for others, financial penalties, confiscation of seized materials, and the permanent deportation of three convicts after serving their sentences.

According to the head of the Terror Crimes Prosecution, the first case involved a woman convicted of spying for the IRGC through a social media account used to publish photographs and coordinates of strategic sites and key facilities inside Bahrain, along with content deemed harmful to the country’s military, political, and economic interests. The court sentenced her to life imprisonment.

He added that the defendant admitted using her account to assist hostile entities by sharing images and coordinates of sensitive locations, accompanied by comments suggesting they could be targeted. She also posted videos and images of previously attacked sites with the intent of glorifying and promoting those attacks.

In a second case, investigations by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science uncovered an Iranian intelligence and IRGC-backed network tasked with monitoring critical infrastructure in Bahrain in preparation for terrorist attacks aimed at undermining national security and stability.

The Bahraini official said the first defendant, who fled to Iran, recruited a second defendant inside Bahrain to carry out terrorist operations, transfer funds to extremist elements, and collect intelligence on strategic facilities for transmission to the IRGC and Iranian intelligence agencies. Both men were sentenced to life in prison and fined 10,000 Bahraini dinars each — about $26,500 — in addition to the confiscation of seized items.

The court also issued rulings in nine additional cases involving praise for the Iranian attacks, dissemination of prohibited sensitive information, and photographing restricted sites. Ten defendants received prison terms of up to 10 years, while some were fined 2,000 dinars and ordered deported after completing their sentences.

In four separate cases linked to unrest during the Iranian attacks in March, 11 defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to five years for violence and sabotage. Some were also fined 500 dinars.

Bahrain’s Public Prosecution said offenses involving espionage for foreign entities, justification of terrorism, dissemination of prohibited information, and acts of sabotage constitute crimes against state security and civil peace, warning that strict legal action would continue against anyone involved in such activities.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, UK Stress Importance of Ensuring Freedom of Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, UK Stress Importance of Ensuring Freedom of Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Tuesday in London with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their security and economic implications.

The two ministers also stressed the need to intensify efforts to steer the region toward stability and peace. They underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and rejecting its use as a tool of political or economic pressure, which would undermine international order and law and negatively affect global trade flows.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, Director General of the Foreign Minister’s Office Walid Al-Samaeel, and Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Alyahya.

Prince Faisal also held talks with the UK’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed the latest developments in the region. They also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the need to strengthen efforts to maintain the region’s security and stability.