UAE, Albania Discuss Expanding Cooperation

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. WAM
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UAE, Albania Discuss Expanding Cooperation

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and expand cooperation, particularly in key sectors such as the economy, trade, renewable energy, food security, and technology.

The discussions took place in Tirana during the UAE President’s visit to Albania.

Rama reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE while leveraging opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders also reviewed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Sheikh Mohamed underscored that the UAE, as part of its consistent approach towards advancing global peace, supports all efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Balkan region.

He also emphasized the UAE’s support for resolving conflicts through diplomacy and dialogue to foster regional development and prosperity and peace and security worldwide.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the significant progress in UAE-Albania relations in recent years, particularly in areas that contribute to both nations’ joint development. He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to further strengthening these ties in the coming period and noted that non-oil trade between the UAE and Albania grew by 129.4% in 2024 compared to 2023.

He also stated that the two nations engage in promising cooperation in renewable and clean energy in line with their shared sustainability ambitions, emphasizing the UAE’s keenness to further bolster collaboration in this sector in the future.

Both sides affirmed their continued determination to advance relations for the benefit of their countries and peoples.

The UAE President and the Albanian Prime Minister witnessed the exchange of a framework for action between Masdar, TAQA Transmission, Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH) – Albania Power Corporation, and Operatori i Sistemit të Transmetimit (OST). The framework will progress their collaboration on the assessment and implementation of the initiatives of the tripartite strategic partnership framework related to renewable energy and energy infrastructure signed by the UAE, Albania, and Italy.

This framework aims to enhance cooperation in developing renewable energy projects, thereby improving energy security, promoting sustainable development, and accelerating the transition to clean energy in the Mediterranean region.

The UAE President and the Albanian PM also witnessed the exchange of a letter of engagement between Presight AI and the Albanian Ministry of Interior for the Albania Smart City Project with the aim of improving infrastructure and public facilities.



Qatar PM Says Gas Hub Attack 'Clear Proof' Iran Not Only Targeting US Interests

 This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017.(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017.(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
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Qatar PM Says Gas Hub Attack 'Clear Proof' Iran Not Only Targeting US Interests

 This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017.(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
This picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017.(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)

Qatar's prime minister said on Thursday Iran's attack on the world's largest gas facility in Qatar was "clear proof" against Tehran's claims of having targeted only US interests in the Gulf.

There were "persistent Iranian claims that these attacks are against American interests... and this claim is rejected and cannot be accepted," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, AFP reported.

"The clear proof of this is the attack that took place yesterday that targeted a natural gas facility in the State of Qatar," he added.


Muslim World League Welcomes Joint Statement of Arab-Islamic Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh

Muslim World League Welcomes Joint Statement of Arab-Islamic Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh
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Muslim World League Welcomes Joint Statement of Arab-Islamic Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh

Muslim World League Welcomes Joint Statement of Arab-Islamic Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh

The Muslim World League (MWL) today welcomed the joint statement issued by the consultative ministerial meeting of foreign ministers from several Arab and Islamic countries, held in Riyadh, to discuss Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, SPA reported.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Council of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa expressed the league's full support for the statement's condemnation of the blatant Iranian attacks on residential areas, civilian infrastructure, and diplomatic missions, noting that these actions constitute a flagrant violation of religious values, international laws, and humanitarian norms.

He reiterated the need for the international community to firmly confront this escalation and compel Iran to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2817, ceasing its aggressive practices that target neighboring countries and destabilize regional and global security.


Kuwait Arrests Hezbollah Cell Plotting Attacks on Key Facilities

Brig. Gen. Nasser Bousleib, the Interior Ministry’s official spokesperson. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brig. Gen. Nasser Bousleib, the Interior Ministry’s official spokesperson. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait Arrests Hezbollah Cell Plotting Attacks on Key Facilities

Brig. Gen. Nasser Bousleib, the Interior Ministry’s official spokesperson. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brig. Gen. Nasser Bousleib, the Interior Ministry’s official spokesperson. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday evening that state security forces had thwarted a terrorist cell linked to Hezbollah that was planning to target vital installations in the country.

Brig. Gen. Nasser Bousleib, the ministry’s official spokesperson, said in a statement that the cell consisted of 10 Kuwaiti nationals. The suspects had reportedly received training in camps affiliated with Hezbollah, including instruction in operating drones.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the State Security Service had “successfully foiled a terrorist plot targeting vital facilities in the country” following extensive surveillance and security investigations.

Authorities said the 10 suspects, described as members of a terrorist group affiliated with the banned organization Hezbollah, had engaged in prior planning and coordination with external actors.

They allegedly sought to establish intelligence contacts to supply coordinates of targeted sites, posing a direct threat to national security.

Members of the cell had undergone training abroad in Hezbollah-run camps, including weapons handling and drone operation, as part of preparations for sabotage attacks aimed at undermining state sovereignty, destabilizing the country, and spreading fear among the public.

The suspects have provided detailed confessions, said the ministry.

It stressed that it would act “with the utmost firmness” against anyone found to be involved in undermining national security or cooperating with such groups, warning that it would not hesitate to take decisive action against any threats.

Safeguarding Kuwait’s security remains a top priority, it said, emphasizing that authorities will continue efforts to track down those behind such plots and pursue the harshest legal measures without leniency or exception.

On Monday, the ministry announced the arrest of another terrorist group affiliated with Hezbollah that had been attempting to destabilize the country and recruit individuals to join the group. Authorities said 14 Kuwaiti suspects and two Lebanese nationals were detained.

Officials seized weapons, ammunition, encrypted communication devices, drones, and narcotics from the suspects.