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.



Saudi FM, Rubio Discuss Regional, Int’l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in Riyadh in February. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in Riyadh in February. (SPA)
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Saudi FM, Rubio Discuss Regional, Int’l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in Riyadh in February. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in Riyadh in February. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone talks on Tuesday on regional and international developments.

The State Department said they discussed the developments in Yemen and the pressing need to advance peace efforts in Sudan.

Rubio welcomed the outcomes of the visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United States in November.

The visit, he said, “underscored the strength of the Saudi-US partnership.”


Saudi Arabia, Iran, China Keen to Expand Economic, Political Cooperation

Iranian Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu in Tehran on Tuesday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Iranian Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu in Tehran on Tuesday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Iran, China Keen to Expand Economic, Political Cooperation

Iranian Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu in Tehran on Tuesday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Iranian Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu in Tehran on Tuesday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia, Iran and China said on Tuesday they look forward to expanding economic and political cooperation, as well as in other fields. They also underlined the importance of dialogue and regional cooperation to bolster security, stability, peace and economic prosperity.

The third meeting of the tripartite Saudi-Chinese-Iranian committee met in Tehran on Tuesday. It was chaired by Iranian Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, with the participation of Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu.

Saudi Arabia, Iran and China called for an end to Israeli attacks on Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. They condemned Israel’s attacks against Iran and the violation of its sovereignty.

Tehran expressed its appreciation for Riyadh and Beijing’s clear stances against the assaults.

Saudi Arabia and Iran stressed their commitment to implementing all articles of the 2023 Beijing agreement, saying they seek to bolster good neighborliness between them in line with the United Nations Charter, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Charter and international law.

They are committed to respecting each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security, they added.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed China’s constant positive role and the importance of its support in implementing the Beijing agreement. China, for its part, expressed its readiness to maintain its support and encourage steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relations in various fields.

On regional affairs, the three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with international principles and under UN sponsorship.

Elkhereiji met separately with Takht-Ravanchi and Deyu on the sidelines of the meeting in Tehran. They discussed bilateral ties between their countries and means to develop them in various sectors.


Saudi Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from Indonesian President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from Indonesian President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call Tuesday from President Prabowo Subianto of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to SPA, the two leaders reviewed relations and discussed ways to support areas of cooperation between the two countries.