Saudi Foreign Ministry Offers Condolences to Iraq over Victims of Nineveh Fire

 People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Ministry Offers Condolences to Iraq over Victims of Nineveh Fire

 People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)
People gather at the site of a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniyah in Iraq's Nineveh province, Iraq, September 27, 2023. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended the Kingdom's condolences and deep sympathy to Iraq and its government, especially the families of the victims, over the fire tragedy at a wedding hall in the northern Nineveh province.

The ministry conveyed the Kingdom's wish for a speedy recovery for the injured.

A raging fire seemingly caused by fireworks set off to celebrate a wedding consumed a hall packed with guests in northern Iraq, killing around 100 people and injuring 150 others as authorities warned Wednesday the death toll could still rise.



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
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UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.