Yemen FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab-Islamic Consensus to Stop Israeli War on Gaza, Lebanon

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab-Islamic Consensus to Stop Israeli War on Gaza, Lebanon

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani underscored the Arab and Islamic consensus to end Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he hoped Monday’s Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh would come up with unified vision on stopping the Israeli assault.

Yemen is the current chair of the Arab League. Riyadh is hosting on Sunday a ministerial preparatory meeting ahead of the summit.

The summit is dedicated to discussing the ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian and Lebanese territories, as well as regional developments. It aims to coordinate stances between member countries.

Several Arab and Islamic countries, starting with Saudi Arabia, have exerted major efforts since the previous summit – also held in Riyadh – to reach an end to the wars on Gaza and Lebanon, added Zindani.

He highlighted the efforts carried out throughout the year by the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and their joint Arab ministerial committee, chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Moreover, he noted that Arab and Islamic countries were not the only ones in consensus over the need to end the war, but the several countries across the globe want to see an end to the hostilities.

Asked about the means and opportunities available to Arab and Islamic countries to end the wars, he cited the efforts that have been exerted so far through international relations, especially Saudi Arabia’s ties with other countries and its Arab, Islamic and global standing.

He hoped the summit would come up with a unified stance on ending the wars, despite Israel’s intransigence.

Yemen had assumed the presidency of the Arab League council in September.

Zindani said at the time that “national and historic responsibility demands that we make this round a serious starting point for addressing emerging crises and overcoming all challenges through a pure Arab will.”

He underscored the importance of coming up with unified Arab action and to apply international pressure on Israel to make it stop its crimes in Gaza and throughout the Palestinian territories.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák.

They reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests and discussed regional and international developments, SPA reported.

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Slovak Republic, aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields.


Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”