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GCC Sec-Gen Meets UK Deputy Prime Minister during Europe Gulf Forum

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Sec-Gen Meets UK Deputy Prime Minister during Europe Gulf Forum

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice of the United Kingdom David Lammy, on Saturday, to discuss several key topics, focusing primarily on bolstering the strategic partnership between the GCC and the UK.

During the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the inaugural Europe Gulf Forum, currently being held in Costa Navarino in Greece, they addressed mechanisms to overcome existing obstacles and align their perspectives on all aspects of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), paving the way for its anticipated signing in the near future.

Both sides lauded the significant progress achieved thus far in the ongoing FTA negotiations, SPA reported.

While exchanging views on several regional issues, Albudaiwi commended the UK's efforts and supportive stance toward the GCC countries against the brutal Iranian aggressions faced by the council states.

Both sides underscored the significance of unifying and intensifying international efforts to promote security and stability in the region and the world.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia at BRICS Summit: Our National Security and Safety of Our Assets Are Non-Negotiable

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia at BRICS Summit: Our National Security and Safety of Our Assets Are Non-Negotiable

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia stressed on Sunday that its national security, territorial integrity, and capabilities are non-negotiable, and that the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will not accept the targeting of their lands, facilities, or vital interests, under any pretext or designation.

Speaking at the BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said: “In light of the current developments in the region, the priority should be to de-escalate tensions and create space for political and diplomatic efforts.”

Delivering a speech on behalf of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Faisal added that security in the Arabian Gulf “cannot be achieved without respect for the sovereignty and independence of its states, non-interference in their internal affairs, adherence to the principles of good neighborliness, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

“The security of the Kingdom, integrity of its territory, and protection of its national assets are non-negotiable, and GCC states will not accept any targeting of their territories, facilities, or vital interests, regardless of the pretexts or justifications invoked,” he declared.

He underscored the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other maritime corridors, stating that “any disruption to these routes would have repercussions for global markets, supply chains, and economic growth.”

Prince Faisal highlighted the purposes for which international institutions were established and the urgent need to strengthen their capacity to fulfill their responsibilities.

He added that “the credibility of the international system depends on how consistently its rules and laws are applied”, noting that the Kingdom “looks forward to continuing its engagement with BRICS and its partners across the international community.”

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Regional De-escalation, Islamabad Slams Houthi Attacks

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Regional De-escalation, Islamabad Slams Houthi Attacks

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday a phone call from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, with whom he discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Sharif condemned the Houthi militia's attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, slamming the flagrant violations of Saudi sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reiterating Pakistan's full solidarity with the Kingdom.

He also condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia's vital oil infrastructure. He praised the Kingdom's restraint and its support for Iraqi government efforts to prevent the use of its territory to launch attacks against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia: Houthi Projectile Falls in Jazan’s Al-Tuwal, Injures Two, Damages Mosque

A mosque in Al-Tuwal, Jazan, was damaged in the attack. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A mosque in Al-Tuwal, Jazan, was damaged in the attack. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia: Houthi Projectile Falls in Jazan’s Al-Tuwal, Injures Two, Damages Mosque

A mosque in Al-Tuwal, Jazan, was damaged in the attack. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A mosque in Al-Tuwal, Jazan, was damaged in the attack. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense said on Saturday civil defense teams in the Al-Tuwal Governorate in the Jazan Region “responded to an incident involving a projectile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia, resulting in two injuries and material damage to a mosque, several buildings, and vehicles.”

The directorate stressed that the “targeting of civilian objects is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”, adding that the established procedures for such incidents were carried out.

The attack “is a reflection of the criminal terrorist extremist militia that rejects all peace efforts and is a threat to regional and international security and stability.”

Damaged is sustained to a building following the Houthi attack. (SPA)

Iraqi militias struck the East-West pipeline on Thursday, reflecting the terrorist groups’ reckless practices.

Attacks on places of worship reflect the nature of terrorist groups that disregard the sanctity of places of worship and international laws that protect civilian areas.

Saudi Arabia has stressed its right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and national gains, and security of its citizens and residents in line with international law.

The Yemeni government reiterated on Saturday its strong condemnation of the repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Two people were injured in the attack. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

It said launching those attacks from Yemen is a violation against the interests of the Yemeni people and exposes the foreign agenda followed by the Iran-backed Houthis.

It expressed its appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s sincere stances and political, economic, humanitarian and military support it offers Yemen and its legitimate leadership.