UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
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UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has underscored his country’s support for Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty, a joint statement said Thursday.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The statement said that the UAE President expressed hope that the visit would deepen the fraternal relations between the two countries and advance their shared interests and aspirations for progress and prosperity.

Sheikh Mohamed said he was keen to work jointly with Lebanon to foster development, prosperity, security, and regional stability.

According to the statement, Aoun stressed he was ready to continue strengthening bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed ways to foster bilateral relations in various fields, and to develop economic and investment sectors, through joint opportunities, knowledge exchange, and government development.

The UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs will visit Beirut to share best practices in government performance and institutional excellence to benefit both countries’ public and private sectors, said the statement.

The two sides also agreed to allow travel for citizens by implementing necessary procedures and mechanisms to ease movement between the two countries.

Both sides expressed their aspiration to raise the level of mutual diplomatic representation and agreed to establish a joint UAE-Lebanon Business Council. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will send a delegation to Lebanon to explore and assess available joint cooperation projects.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed Lebanon’s strategic importance within the Arab world, affirming that Lebanon is a key pillar of joint Arab action.



Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands Discuss Efforts to Maintain Security of Int’l Waterways

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Wednesday with his Dutch counterpart (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Wednesday with his Dutch counterpart (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands Discuss Efforts to Maintain Security of Int’l Waterways

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Wednesday with his Dutch counterpart (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Wednesday with his Dutch counterpart (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has discussed with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen efforts to keep international waterways safe, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting held in Riyadh on Wednesday, the two sides reviewed areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and exchanged views on regional developments, SPA said.

The Dutch side reiterated its condemnation of Iran's attacks on the Kingdom and several countries in the region. They also discussed joint efforts to maintain the security and safety of international waterways, the news agency added.


Emir of Qatar, Syrian President Hold Talks on Regional Developments

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2026. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2026. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
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Emir of Qatar, Syrian President Hold Talks on Regional Developments

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2026. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2026. (Amiri Diwan/Handout via Reuters)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held talks in Doha on Wednesday with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, focusing on regional and international developments.

Sheikh Tamim hoped the visit would strengthen cooperation and expand ties between their two countries across various sectors.

Sharaa stressed Syria's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in a way that serves the shared interests of both nations and their peoples.

He also expressed solidarity with Qatar following Iranian attacks targeting the country and other states in the region, voicing support for measures taken by Doha to safeguard its sovereignty, security and citizens.

The leaders underscored their commitment to supporting regional security and stability, while discussing bilateral relations and ways to further develop them.

The meeting was attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, as well as a number of senior officials.

Also in attendance were Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani, along with a number of senior officials.

Sheikh Tamim and Al-Sharaa held a separate bilateral meeting to exchange views on key issues of mutual interest, followed by an official luncheon hosted in honor of the visiting delegation.

Al-Sharaa is on a tour of the Gulf that he kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday where he met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.


Egyptian Prime Minister Meets with Saudi Ambassador to Egypt

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
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Egyptian Prime Minister Meets with Saudi Ambassador to Egypt

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat

Prime Minister of Egypt Dr. Mostafa Madbouly met Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

Dr. Madbouly emphasized the strong historical and strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and also noted the continued coordination and consultations on regional and international issues of common interest, SPA reported.

The ambassador expressed pride in the strong relations between the two countries and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing cooperation across various fields, in light of the fraternal ties between their leaderships.

The meeting addressed ways to enhance economic and investment cooperation, as well as to increase the volume of bilateral trade.