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Six-Party Arab Group Warns of Israeli Aggression on Gaza, Calls for Two-State Solution

The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
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Six-Party Arab Group Warns of Israeli Aggression on Gaza, Calls for Two-State Solution

The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of the six-party Arab group held a consultative meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Foreign ministers from the six-party Arab Committee emphasized on Saturday during a high-level dialogue in Riyadh the necessity of ending the war on the Gaza Strip and reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, chaired the ministerial consultative meeting of the six-party Arab Committee to discuss the developments of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Ayman Al-Safadi; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry; the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Al-Sheikh; the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, Anwar Gargash; and the Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi.
The ministers emphasized the necessity of ending the war on the Gaza Strip and reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Recognition of a Palestinian State
They also emphasized the importance of irreversible steps towards implementing the two-state solution and recognizing the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967, with its capital in East Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in accordance with relevant international resolutions.
They stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and firmly rejected any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land or any military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah.
Additionally, the ministers warned against the ongoing illegal Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which undermine the two-state solution.
A Number of Meetings in Riyadh
An unnamed source told Asharq Al-Awsat Thursday that several meetings are expected to be held, under Saudi sponsorship, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum that will be held in Riyadh between April 28 and 29.
These will include a meeting of the Arab foreign ministers with the participation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and another meeting of the Arab ministers with European Union countries.
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will also hold a meeting with their American counterpart next Monday.
Recognition of the Palestinian state is one of the main topics on the agenda of the meetings, added the source.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan revealed on Monday that talks have begun to circulate within the corridors of the European Union toward recognizing the Palestinian state.
Blinken’s Seventh Visit
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is visiting the region for the seventh time since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
He is expected to meet with Arab and regional officials, in addition to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, according to the source.

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Gulf

Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah met on Friday with representatives of Hajj companies in Mina to evaluate performance, discuss areas for improvement, and begin early preparations for next year’s Hajj.

Al-Rabiah praised the support provided to the Hajj by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, saying their backing has helped in improving services for pilgrims and boosting their overall experience.

He commended the ongoing supervision and follow-up by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, which he said helped strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency during the Hajj season.

Al-Rabiah stressed that preparations for next year’s pilgrimage begin before the current season ends, reflecting the Hajj system’s continuous-work approach aimed at improving service quality and elevating the experience of pilgrims.

The minister stressed the importance of building on the successes achieved during this year’s Hajj and benefiting from lessons learned, performance indicators, and pilgrim satisfaction surveys.

Continuous development remains a core principle of the system serving the pilgrims, he declared.

The meeting reviewed several development initiatives related to digital services, contracting mechanisms, improving the pilgrim experience, and increasing the efficiency of services in housing, transportation, crowd movement, and support services.

The meeting falls within the ministry’s broader efforts to prepare early for the next Hajj season in line with the leadership’s directives to care for pilgrims and continue developing the Hajj system in a way that supports the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, and enhances the pilgrim experience throughout every stage of the spiritual journey.

Gulf

Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
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Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)

Iraq condemned on Friday the rocket and drone attacks against Kuwait earlier this week.

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty and security.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry underscored Iraq’s “rejection of all acts that threaten the security and stability of countries in the region.”

In a statement, it urged the need for restraint and avert escalation in the region, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve crises.

Iraq supports all international and regional efforts aimed at preventing the circle of violence from expanding, it added.

It also backs efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region.

Iraq did not pin blame on Iran. Kuwait condemned “the Iranian attacks” that targeted its territories, saying they were a “direct threat to civilians and vital installations.”

The US military on Thursday accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire in the region following the attack.

Gulf

Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received on Friday Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab at the ministry’s headquarters in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of existing cooperation and security coordination between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

The Syrian interior minister praised this year’s Hajj season, which reflects the level of care the Kingdom extends to pilgrims, as well as its advanced organizational and operational capabilities that have contributed to providing a safe and smooth environment for pilgrims. He also commended the season’s integrated services and efficient crowd management.

Several senior officials attended the meeting.