Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
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Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added. 



Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)

Kuwait has renewed its deposit at the Central Bank of Egypt, a move that reinforces ties between the two countries.

Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Ghanem Saqr Al-Ghanem told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension followed “a thorough study” and reflects Kuwait’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s economy as “a fundamental pillar of Arab and regional security.”

He added that relations between the two countries are “at their best.”

Al-Ghanem described the decision as “a new step reflecting the strength of the special and strategic relations between the two brotherly countries,” adding it confirms continued Kuwaiti support for Egypt amid regional and international challenges.

He noted that the renewal highlights Kuwait’s commitment to Egypt’s economic stability and reflects “deep-rooted ties, shared interests and solidarity in facing regional challenges.”

An Egyptian banking expert told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension will bolster foreign currency reserves, support the economy and “shut down rumors” that the deposit would not be renewed.

The step underscores strong relations and is likely to enhance future partnership and investment between the two countries, he added.

A report by the Central Bank of Egypt on the country’s external position said Kuwait renewed a $2 billion deposit that had been due to mature in September 2025, extending it to September 2026.

The report, cited by Egyptian media on Sunday, said Kuwaiti deposits consist of two tranches of $2 billion each. One has been extended to next September, while the other matured in April. The report, which covers the first quarter of the current fiscal year, did not specify whether the April tranche was also renewed.

It added that long-term Arab deposits at the central bank stood at $9.3 billion at the end of September 2025, including $5.3 billion from Saudi Arabia and $4 billion from Kuwait, split across two deposits renewed annually in April and September.

In December 2025, Kuwait renewed a separate $2 billion deposit for another year through April 2026 to support Egypt’s foreign currency reserves, according to the same report.

Banking expert Mohamed Abdel Aal said the latest extension will support Egypt’s economy across key indicators, particularly reserves, and could pave the way for deeper cooperation, whether through continued deposits or converting them into investments that strengthen bilateral partnership.


US, Gulf Nations Draft New UNSC Resolution on Strait of Hormuz

A photo illustration taken in Nicosia on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website. (AFP) 
A photo illustration taken in Nicosia on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website. (AFP) 
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US, Gulf Nations Draft New UNSC Resolution on Strait of Hormuz

A photo illustration taken in Nicosia on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website. (AFP) 
A photo illustration taken in Nicosia on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website. (AFP) 

The United States and Gulf Arab nations are drafting a UN Security Council resolution designed to condemn Iran for blocking ‌the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli war, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said on Monday.

Waltz added that negotiations will take place this week on the resolution, which comes after ⁠permanent Security Council members Russia and China blocked a resolution last month that Washington hoped would galvanize international efforts to restore freedom of navigation of the waterway.

Waltz told reporters on a briefing ‌call that the US is co-drafting the new resolution with Bahrain with input from Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The ⁠resolution is expected to require Iran to cease attacks on merchant shipping and attempts to impose tolls on shipping in the strait, and it will demand Iran stop placing ⁠sea mines and disclose the locations of mines.

Waltz said draft resolution is a “narrower effort” than the previous failed resolution and comes ⁠while a ceasefire is in place with Iran.

“This is much more focused on mining international waterways and ⁠on tolling, which all of the economies of the world are affected by, particularly those in Asia,” he said.

 

 


Saudi Arabia, Singapore Reaffirm Support to Safeguard Waterways

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Singapore Reaffirm Support to Safeguard Waterways

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Singapore underscored on Monday the need to support efforts to safeguard waterways and ensure their stability, to reinforce peace and security at the regional and global levels.

The remarks came during a meeting in Jeddah between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, where the two sides also discussed the latest regional developments.

The two officials also discussed bilateral relations between their countries and explored ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields.