Syria's Sharaa in Qatar to Deepen Bilateral Relations

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
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Syria's Sharaa in Qatar to Deepen Bilateral Relations

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2025. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa in Doha on Tuesday, state media reported.

This is Sharaa’s first official visit to the Gulf state since he took power in Damascus after the fall of the former Syrian regime on December 8.

Sharaa and Sheikh Tamim discussed key regional and international developments and exchanged views on ways to enhance security and stability in the region, Qatar’s official news agency, QNA, said.

They tackled bilateral relations between their countries and ways to support and develop them, especially in the political and diplomatic fields.

Sheikh Tamim hoped Sharaa’s visit would help in advancing cooperation between their countries to broader horizons.

For his part, Sharaa emphasized his country’s keenness to develop bilateral ties and boost joint coordination to serve the interests of their countries and peoples.

The talks in Doha were attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.

On December 15, Qatar reopened its embassy in Syria after it was closed for more than 13 years due to the war and a week after Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power.

Days later, the first high-level Qatari delegation headed by Minister of State Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi arrived in Damascus.

On December 30, an airplane carrying humanitarian aid provided by Qatar Fund for Development Fund (QFFD) arrived at Damascus International Airport.

On January 30, Sheikh Tamim visited Damascus where he met with Sharaa. Sheikh Tamim's visit was the first by a head of state to the Syrian capital since Assad was toppled.



Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
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Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters

Attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline launched from Iraqi territory drew on Saturday strong condemnations from many countries and organizations.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on several drones that came from Iraq and, in a statement, said the Kingdom would not retaliate to give the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”

For its part, the Iraqi government strongly condemned the attacks, reiterating its categorical rejection of any aggression that threatens the Kingdom's security, stability, or bilateral relations.

Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Al-Zaidi ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances of the strikes and identify the perpetrators.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sabah Al-Numan emphasized that Baghdad will take strict legal action against anyone implicated in the assault, stressing that the state will not tolerate activities that jeopardize Iraq's national security or its ties with brotherly nations.

Al-Numan voiced appreciation for Saudi Arabia's measured response and constructive engagement with Baghdad's efforts to de-escalate tensions, noting that this stance underscores Riyadh's commitment to regional stability and bilateral cooperation.

He reaffirmed that Iraq's territory and airspace will not serve as a launchpad for hostile actions against any state. He reiterated Baghdad's dedication to upholding state sovereignty, good neighborliness, and regional diplomacy, ensuring relations with neighboring nations foster mutual stability rather than conflict.

Also, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, OIC, the Arab Parliament, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Muslim World League (MWL) were quick to condemn the attacks.

The separate statements all stressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its territory. 

 


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from British Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from British Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Saturday from Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Edward Miliband.

During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments.

According to SPA, at the outset, Miliband renewed his country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attacks launched by the Houthi militia, stressing the Kingdom's right to take necessary measures to defend its security and capabilities in accordance with international law.

The two sides also discussed the importance of intensifying joint efforts to ensure the security and freedom of navigation in waterways, contributing to regional security and stability and protecting global trade and supply chains from the repercussions of the current crisis.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, emphasizing its importance in enhancing integration and reducing duplication of efforts while respecting countries’ national priorities.

In the Kingdom’s speech delivered on the occasion of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil said Saudi Vision 2030 aligns with the priorities of South-South cooperation, particularly in economic diversification, digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, youth empowerment, and the private sector, SPA reported.

He noted that the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to supporting and financing development projects and programs in more than 100 developing countries across various vital sectors, affirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing to work with member states, the United Nations, and partners to strengthen cooperation and achieve more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive development.