CAIRO: Uncertainty in Libya and the deadlock in Palestinian reconciliation efforts will be the main concerns of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as he attends the Arab League Summit in Dhahran.
Buoyed by his recent resounding and controversial election victory, the Egyptian president will have much to discuss with Arab leaders.
Bassam Radi, a presidential spokesman, said El-Sisi would discuss with his Arab counterparts “important issues affecting Arab security” including developments in Syria, Yemen and Palestine.
El-Sisi’s prime concern is the situation in Libya, where fears are growing over the health of the military commander Khalifa Haftar.
Haftar, one of Libya’s key power brokers, is being treated in Paris after feeling unwell during a foreign tour and is expected to return to Libya within days, Ahmed Al-Mismari, a spokesman for Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), told Reuters on Saturday.
Rumors and contradictory reports about the seriousness of his condition swirled jn the Libyan media last week, especially as Haftar had not made any public appearances recently.
Haftar, 75, is the most powerful figure in eastern Libya and his LNA is aligned with a government based in the east which has opposed a rival government in the capital, Tripoli.
On Friday, UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame and several Libyan officials said they had spoken to Haftar by phone.
Haftar won the backing of Egypt when he arrived as a stabilizing force confronting Islamist and extremist forces in the country’s east, which borders Egypt.
El-Sisi met the head of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Al-Sarraj in Dammam on Saturday and urged all the Libyan political factions to cooperate with the UN envoy to restore peace to the troubled state, according to presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi.
“This is the most important part of the Arab Summit agenda for Egypt since Libya’s situation affects the Egyptian national security. Egypt played a significant role and has invested politically to control the terrorist attacks on its Western borders,” said Mohamed Farahat, a political analyst.
“Haftar is important for Egypt because he believes in the Libyan unity and he also proposed a project to build the Libyan unified army and this is what makes him special as a leader.”
El-Sisi has also invested a lot of political capital in reconciling the two main warring Palestinian factions and a return to peace talks with Israel.
Abbas Kamel, senior political and security aide to El-Sisi, visited both Ramallah, home of the Palestinian Authority, and Tel Aviv last week to lay the groundwork for the Arab Summit to adopt a resolution expressing willingness to engage with a US peace plan.
The aim of the talks is not only to persuade Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to approve the launch of negotiations but to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint before what he sees as the perfect opportunity to deal a blow to Hezbollah and limit Iran’s presence in Syria.
Libya uncertainty key issue for El-Sisi during Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia
Libya uncertainty key issue for El-Sisi during Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia
- Haftar is important for Egypt because he believes in the Libyan unity
- UN is leading efforts to reunify the country
Saudi Cycling Federation signs strategic partnership with global cycle powerhouse
- Collaboration with GreenEdge Cycling hailed as milestone in development of the sport in the Kingdom
- Partnership aims to provide male and female athletes with pathway to international success
RASHID: The Saudi Cycling Federation has signed a strategic partnership agreement with GreenEdge Cycling that will transform the sport in the Kingdom by raising technical standards, and developing both male and female athletes.
The agreement includes technical support based on GreenEdge’s global expertise and capabilities, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
In an important step in the development of cycling in the Kingdom, the partnership aims to enhance athletes’ skills and abilities, striving to achieve professional technical standards and notable accomplishments in international arenas.
SACF President Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani said that the partnership with GreenEdge Cycling reflects the federation’s aim of strengthening international collaborations and expanding growth opportunities.
He described it as a milestone in transforming cycling in Saudi Arabia into a competitive and sustainable sport with a strong technical presence on the global stage.
Al-Shahrani also expressed gratitude for the support extended to the sports sector by the Saudi leadership and the follow-up by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who is committed to advancing Saudi clubs and national teams across all sports.
With over 180 competitors across four different teams — men and women’s UCI WorldTour Teams plus men and women’s UCI Continental teams — GreenEdge Cycling has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer the Saudi federation.
The partnership will create a new system and pathway for the federation to grow into a world-leading and results-based organization, a statement by GreenEdge Cycling said.
Commenting on partnership, Brent Copeland, GreenEdge Cycling general manager, said: “We are happy to share the news of this partnership with the Saudi Cycling Federation. There’s a lot of untouched talent within the Kingdom and we are delighted to be involved with and support their development. Providing the Saudi Cycling Federation with access to our extensive resource pool, we are confident that we can help make a real impact and assist in the growth of cycling within the nation.
“Already through our naming rights partner, AlUla, we have had the opportunity to make a change and support with the development of talent, with the likes of Moroj Adil, the first female Saudi rider to join a UCI Continental Team, as she races with our Liv AlUla Jayco Continental team setup. It is inspiring for all involved as we look ahead and to helping future generations,” he added.
Saudi Arabia takes leading role in Helsinki ICRC donor summit
- The Kingdom’s delegation took part in various discussions, led by its deputy ambassador to Finland, Faisal Al-Shehri
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross donor support group during a high-level summit in Helsinki, while simultaneously taking charge of a global peace-building initiative.
The Kingdom’s delegation took part in various discussions, led by its deputy ambassador to Finland, Faisal Al-Shehri, and Geneva-based humanitarian affairs chief at Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Shatha Al-Ahmadi.
ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric highlighted Saudi Arabia’s status within the humanitarian community, describing the Kingdom as “not only a donor state, but a trusted and vital political partner for the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
Spoljaric specifically commended Saudi Arabia’s significant contributions to the global initiative designed to strengthen political commitment to international humanitarian law, positioning the Kingdom as a key driver of humanitarian policy development.
The Saudi delegation expressed appreciation to both the ICRC and Finnish government for organizing the summit, saying the Kingdom’s membership reflected its commitment to humanitarian work: “Our participation reflects an unwavering dedication to humanitarian action, rooted in our firm belief in the international community’s collective duty to assist conflict victims and deliver humanitarian aid.”
The delegation emphasized its full recognition of the ICRC’s unique mandate and exceptional position among humanitarian organizations, reaffirming Saudi support for maintaining its independence and neutrality.
The Kingdom has assumed leadership of the global initiative’s third operational track, which addresses the intersection of international humanitarian law and peace-building efforts.
Saudi delegates stressed the need for peaceful conflict resolution, political dialogue enhancement and diplomatic engagement between nations to foster mutual respect and create pathways toward lasting reconciliation and sustainable peace building.
The summit concluded with a ceremonial leadership transfer from Finland to the UK within the donor group structure.
Saudi representatives congratulated their British counterparts, expressing their enthusiasm for enhanced collaboration with the incoming leadership and all international partners to advance multilateral humanitarian system development.
Saudi FM holds calls with regional and Norwegian counterparts on regional tensions
- Calls came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday held a series of phone calls with regional and international counterparts to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, the two sides reviewed the recent Israeli strike on Iran, its regional repercussions, and stressed the importance of de-escalation and safeguarding regional security, SPA added.
Prince Faisal also spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa, with discussions also focused on the latest developments in the region and their wider implications.
He held similar discussions with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. They also focused on the Israeli attack on Iran, which they said constituted an escalation that threatened the security and stability of the region.
In a separate call, the Saudi minister discussed regional and international issues of common interest with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Saudi airports issue travel alert after airspace closures amid Israel-Iran tension
- Major airports authorities in the Kingdom have advised those traveling to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or flight changes
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday issued a travel alert for citizens and residents after airspace closures following the Israeli attacks on Iran ramping up tensions between the regional rivals.
Increased tensions in the region could pose security risks and several countries in the Middle East closed their airspace, resulting in travel disruptions, including flight cancellations.
Major airports authorities in the Kingdom have advised those traveling to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or flight changes.
In advisories on social media, King Khalid International Airport Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport, Dammam and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, said: “In the interest of your safety and comfort and due to the current developments in some countries in the region, travelers heading to destinations affected by airspace closures are kindly advised to contact their respective airlines directly before proceeding to the airport.
“This is to confirm the latest updates on their flights and to avoid any unexpected delays or changes. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we are always pleased to serve you.”
After Israel attacked Iran early on Friday, airlines diverted flights affected by airspace closures.
Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
Joanne Serrieh, a journalist working with Alarabiya, on Friday afternoon posted on X: “Currently on Emirates flight EK216 from LAX to DXB. We’re being diverted to avoid closed Iranian airspace. We’ll be landing in Jeddah to refuel then will hopefully be able to continue to Dubai.”
Shamim Akhter, an Indian expat who worked in Riyadh for decades and is flying back home tonight on final exit, told Arab News: “After learning about airspace closure and flight diversion from Arab News, I contacted my airline, so far, the flight is expected to depart as scheduled. There is no change in timing, so I will proceed on time.
“If there is a change, I will be informed by the airline,” he said, adding: “The heightened tension following the Israeli attack on Iran has created unnecessary chaos. I hope and pray things return to normal soon.”
Due to the heightened tension Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, state media reported. Jordan also closed its airspace to all flights.
Israel has suspended flights to and from Israel, its flag carrier El Al Airlines said. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice.
Conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and three endured near misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions.
Saudi and UK foreign ministers discuss regional developments
LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met in London with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday to discuss ties and regional developments, the foreign ministry announced.
The meeting touched on areas of joint cooperation and ongoing efforts to address regional challenges, the ministry added.
Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, was also present.
The talks come ahead of next week’s Saudi-French conference on Palestine in New York, where international officials will seek to revive momentum for a two-state solution and outline steps toward Palestinian statehood.
