GCC Welcomes Lebanon’s Govt Decision to Restrict Weapons to State

A photo released by the Lebanese presidency press office on August 7, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun heading a government meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A photo released by the Lebanese presidency press office on August 7, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun heading a government meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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GCC Welcomes Lebanon’s Govt Decision to Restrict Weapons to State

A photo released by the Lebanese presidency press office on August 7, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun heading a government meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A photo released by the Lebanese presidency press office on August 7, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun heading a government meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi welcomed on Friday the Lebanese government’s decision to restrict all weapons possession to the authority of the state throughout Lebanon.

He emphasized that the decision is “an important step toward strengthening the sovereignty of the Lebanese state, consolidating stability and security for the brotherly Lebanese people, and boosting the effectiveness of its institutions.”

“Progress in this direction, together with necessary reforms, will significantly boost the confidence of the international community and multilateral partners, while creating a more attractive environment for investment, including from the private sector,” he added.

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s steadfast stance toward Lebanon, underscoring its continued support for its sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as its commitment to the reform process and the building of the state.



Kuwait Ports Authority Says Drones Struck Shuwaikh Port

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
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Kuwait Ports Authority Says Drones Struck Shuwaikh Port

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)

The Kuwait Ports Authority said on Friday that its main commercial Shuwaikh Port was targeted in a drone attack, resulting in material damage but no human casualties.

The authority added in a statement that it had activated the emergency procedures in place for such situations, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Iran pressed on with its assaults in the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.


Saudi Arabia Urges Its Nationals in Lebanon to Leave Immediately

Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Its Nationals in Lebanon to Leave Immediately

Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Friday renewed calls on Saudi nationals currently present in Lebanon to leave the country immediately because of the security situation there.

In a statement on its social media platform X, the Saudi Embassy in Beirut urged its citizens to comply with the travel ban to Lebanon and called on all nationals currently present in the country to leave immediately citing the security developments.

The embassy emphasized the need to contact it in case of any emergency, wishing safety and security for all.


Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
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Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)

Kuwait announced on Thursday that it busted a cell associated with Iran, while Bahrain referred collaborators with Tehran to the judiciary, reflecting the readiness of Gulf countries to deal with threats to their stability and security and to protect their higher interests.

Kuwaiti authorities said they thwarted a terrorist plot to carry out assassinations of state figures and leaders.

They detained a cell that includes a number of Kuwaitis working for Hezbollah, they added.

The cell was also tasked with recruiting people to carry out their attacks with the aim of harming higher national interests.

Kuwait had busted a similar cell just days ago.

Kuwait’s defenses also shot down on Thursday hostile rockets and drones that had breached its airspace.

In Bahrain, authorities arrested a cell accused of collaborating with Iran. It referred to the judiciary 14 people for contacting the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

The detainees received assistance and funds to support operations against Kuwait, saying the IRGC had tasked them with sending photos and information.

One of the detainees took photos and sent coordinates of vital installations to the Guards, said Manama. The IRGC had used the information received from the cell to carry out attacks against Bahrain.

On March 12, the interior ministry announced that it had arrested four citizens for collaborating with the IRGC. Two days prior, it arrested six people for sharing photos of damage caused by Iranian attacks and voicing sympathy with Tehran and its hostile activities.

On Thursday, Bahrain’s defenses downed a rocket and 19 drones. Authorities said they will continue to confront Iran’s heinous terrorist attacks.

Bahrain has so far destroyed 154 rockets and 350 drones since the hostilities began.

In the UAE, authorities said a person was killed and three wounded from falling shrapnel from a downed ballistic missile in Abu Dhabi. Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Emirati defenses downed 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones fired from Iran in recent hours.

Since the eruption of the conflict, defenses downed 372 ballistic missiles and 1,826 drones from Iran. Two members of the armed forces were killed while performing their national duties.