Arab World Welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Hosting of US-Russia Talks

In this handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025. (SPA)
In this handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025. (SPA)
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Arab World Welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Hosting of US-Russia Talks

In this handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025. (SPA)
In this handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025. (SPA)

Countries and organizations across the Arab world welcomed on Tuesday Saudi Arabia's hosting of talks between the United States and Russia aimed at improving relations between them and paving the way for peace in Ukraine. 

The talks were held at the directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. 

Oman's Foreign Ministry expressed its support for “these initiatives to promote dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of political solutions that foster peace, security, and stability.”  

Official Spokesperson for Arab League Secretary-General Jamal Rushdi stated that the Kingdom's hosting of the talks “represents a significant Arab contribution to global efforts aimed at establishing peace,” including resolving the Ukraine war. 

The meeting brought together Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and officials from both countries. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban also attended the talks. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) hoped the discussions would serve as a significant step toward bridging differences and boosting communication and dialogue to end the Ukraine conflict. 

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised Saudi Arabia's efforts in hosting the talks, saying it reflected the Kingdom's commitment to supporting international peace efforts and promoting global stability and prosperity. 

The ministry underscored the Emirates' firm stance supporting peaceful solutions to conflicts and international cooperation in addressing global issues. 

Moreover, it emphasized the need to prioritize diplomacy and constructive dialogue among the concerned parties and to work collectively toward achieving security, peace, and prosperity in the region and world. 

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saudi Arabia's hosting of the talks is an extension of its responsible role in supporting peaceful solutions and establishing dialogue as a fundamental approach to resolving disputes and enhancing international understanding. 

The ministry praised Saudi Arabia's dedicated diplomatic efforts in bridging perspectives between international parties, expressing its support for all regional and international initiatives aimed at achieving peace and boosting cooperation among nations to ensure global security and stability. 

Bahrain highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts in facilitating the talks, stressing its steadfast support for resolving disputes peacefully, and the importance of prioritizing diplomacy and constructive dialogue between all concerned parties to achieve lasting security, peace, and prosperity at the regional and global levels. 

Palestine welcomed Saudi Arabia's hosting of talks, which confirms the Kingdom's effective role in achieving security and peace. 

The Palestinian presidency stressed that the Kingdom's hosting of these important talks comes as a culmination of the wise policy adopted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed. 

The talks will boost regional and international stability and reflect the Kingdom's leading position on the international scene, it added. 

Jordan hailed Saudi Arabia for hosting the talks, which it said were part of its tireless efforts to achieve peace and justice in the world.  

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry hoped the talks would achieve their desired goal of bolstering global security and stability. 

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said Saudi Arabia's hosting of the talks reflects its international standing and its policies that support international stability through dialogue and diplomacy. 



Missile Debris Kills One in Abu Dhabi as Iran Presses Gulf Attacks

A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (AFP)
A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (AFP)
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Missile Debris Kills One in Abu Dhabi as Iran Presses Gulf Attacks

A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (AFP)
A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (AFP)

Falling debris from a missile intercept killed one person on Tuesday in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi and injured two medical staff in Kuwait, authorities said, as Iran pressed its attacks against Gulf countries. 

The Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure. 

Debris fell in the Bani Yas area "following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defenses", the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on X. 

The day before a Palestinian national was killed on the edge of the city when a missile hit his car. 

As well as hitting ports, airports, residential buildings and hotels along with military sites across the region, Iran has also struck energy facilities across the Gulf. 

On the east coast of the country, the oil industrial zone of Fujairah was hit on Tuesday morning, sparking a fire but causing no injuries, local authorities said. 

It was the second day in a row that the site was hit, with a source telling AFP on Monday that oil storage loading had been shut down by an attack. 

In Kuwait, two medical staff were injured when shrapnel fell on an emergency medical center where they were working, the state's health ministry said. 

An AFP journalist heard several explosions in Doha on Tuesday and Qatar's defense ministry said it had intercepted a missile attack. 

Later, the country's civil defense said it was dealing with a minor fire in an industrial area following the interception, with no injuries reported. 

In nearby Dubai, an AFP journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the United Arab Emirates' most populous city to "immediately seek a safe place" because of "potential missile threats". 

Iran has fired more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than any other country targeted by Tehran since the start of the war. 

The strikes have upended travel plans in the financial hub, despite its air defense intercepting the vast majority of projectiles. 


Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Stress Importance of Security Coordination, Integration

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah. (Saudi Interior Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah. (Saudi Interior Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Stress Importance of Security Coordination, Integration

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah. (Saudi Interior Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah. (Saudi Interior Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz held telephone talks on Tuesday with Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah on the importance of continued coordination, cooperation and integration between their countries to bolster security and stability.

They reviewed the current regional developments and their security implications amid Iran’s malicious attacks against Gulf countries and the region.

Prince Abdulaziz stressed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Kuwait and support for all the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability.


Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional De-Escalation Efforts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional De-Escalation Efforts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Monday his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty for talks on bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region.

The tackled efforts to de-escalate the tensions to help restore regional security and stability.

They reiterated their condemnation of Iran’s malicious attacks against the Kingdom and several Arab countries.

Earlier, Prince Faisal held telephone talks with United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

They discussed regional developments amid Iran’s unjustified attacks against Gulf countries, as well as means to consolidate security and stability in the Middle East.