Kuwait Maintains Qatar Crisis Resolution Efforts as Saudi, France Discuss Counter-Terrorism

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz holds hands with Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Jeddah, June 6, 2017. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz holds hands with Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Jeddah, June 6, 2017. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Maintains Qatar Crisis Resolution Efforts as Saudi, France Discuss Counter-Terrorism

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz holds hands with Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Jeddah, June 6, 2017. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz holds hands with Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Jeddah, June 6, 2017. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia and France agreed to promote efforts to fight terrorism and extremism and counter-terrorist financing.

Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.

The two officials reviewed bilateral relations in various fields and means to fight terrorism and extremism, a statement by the Saudi Press Agency said.

It added that they both underlined the need to exert more efforts to dry up the sources of terrorism and stressed both countries’ keenness on the security and stability of the region.

Macron also held a telephone conversation with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, reported the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

WAM said the two leaders tackled cooperative relations and the latest developments in the region, as well as efforts exerted to combat terrorism and extremism. They also discussed the best means to support regional and international efforts to consolidate security and stability in the region.

Macron’s talks with Gulf leaders came at a time when Kuwait is leading diplomatic efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis, in the wake the Arab quartet’s insistence on Qatar’s need to comply with international efforts to prevent terrorism financing.

In this regard, Prince Mohammed received on Monday a written letter addressed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz from the Kuwaiti Emir.

Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al Sabah and State Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah al-Mubarak Al Sabah delivered the message during a meeting with Prince Mohammed in Jeddah.

The Kuwaiti envoys conveyed a similar letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, before heading to the Sultanate of Oman, the UAE and later Bahrain.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said that the letter to Sultan Qaboos of Oman covered the latest developments on the regional and international arenas and issues of common concern.

The Kuwaiti envoys also delivered a similar message to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, KUNA reported.

In Manama, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa received Kuwaiti envoys Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al Sabah and Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah al-Mubarak Al Sabah, who delivered a written message to the Bahraini monarch.

In parallel, Kuwait’s cabinet announced on Tuesday that the Kuwaiti emir would visit Washington on September 6 on his first visit to the United States since President Donald Trump took office.



Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.


Top Trump Iran Negotiator Says Visits US Aircraft Carrier in Middle East

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
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Top Trump Iran Negotiator Says Visits US Aircraft Carrier in Middle East

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump's lead Iran negotiator Steve Witkoff on Saturday said he visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier currently in the Arabian Sea, with Washington and Tehran due to hold further talks soon.

"Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Jared Kushner, and I met with the brave sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, her strike group, and Carrier Air Wing 9 who are keeping us safe and upholding President Trump's message of peace through strength," said Witkoff in a social media post.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran's red lines and warning against any American attack.


Israel’s Netanyahu Expected to Meet Trump in US on Wednesday and Discuss Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
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Israel’s Netanyahu Expected to Meet Trump in US on Wednesday and Discuss Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a special session to mark the 77th anniversary of the Knesset's establishment and the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the current building at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, 02 February 2026. (EPA)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.

Iranian and US officials held indirect nuclear ‌talks in the ‌Omani capital ‌Muscat ⁠on Friday. ‌Both sides said more talks were expected to be held again soon.

A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran on the talks told Reuters Iran insisted ⁠on its "right to enrich uranium" ‌during the negotiations with ‍the US, ‍and that Tehran's missile capabilities ‍were not raised in the discussions.

Iranian officials have ruled out putting Iran's missiles - one of the largest such arsenals in the region - up ⁠for discussion, and have said Tehran wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium.

"The Prime Minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and halting support for the Iranian axis," Netanyahu's office said in a ‌statement.