Palestine and Iran: Arab leaders declare their top priorities

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Arab League leaders pose for a family photo during the 29th Arab League Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. (Saudi Royal Palace photo/Bandar Al-Jaloud)
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King Salman criticized the US decision to transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem as Arab leaders met in Dhahran for the annual summit. (Reuters)
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Saudi King Salman (C) welcoming UAE's Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (L) ahead of the 29th Arab League Summit in Dhahran. (Saudi Royal Palace photo/Bandar Al-Jaloud)
Updated 16 April 2018
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Palestine and Iran: Arab leaders declare their top priorities

  • Houthi militias blamed for continuous war and suffering in Yemen
  • Iran’s blatant interference in affairs of Arab countries condemned

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia: Leaders gathered at the Arab summit stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and their support for the Palestinian people in their struggle to have an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The leaders also stressed the importance of uniting Arab efforts in the fight against terrorism and to confront Iran’s expansionist ambitions in the Arab region.

In his opening remarks, King Salman named the current Arab League Summit the “Jerusalem Summit” in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

He also announced the dedication of $50 million to UNRWA and $150 million to the Islamic Endowment Support Program in Jerusalem, saying: “The Palestinian issue will remain our top issue until all Palestinians get their legal right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

“As we reiterate our condemnation and rejection of the American administration’s decision concerning Jerusalem, we commend the international consensus that rejects it, and we affirm that East Jerusalem is an inalienable part of the Palestinian territory.

“On Yemen, we affirm our commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, security and territorial integrity.

“We hold the terrorist Iranian-allied Houthi militants fully responsible for the continuous war and suffering in Yemen. We welcome the UN’s statement that denounced the launching of the 119 Iranian-made ballistic missiles by the Houthi militants toward Saudi cities, three of which were targeting Makkah, proving to the international community once again the dangers of Iranian behavior in the region, its violation of the principles of international law and its disrespect of the values, ethics and principles of good neighborliness, and we call for a decisive UN position on this issue.”

King Salman added: “One of the most serious challenges facing our world today is the challenge of terrorism that has allied with extremism and sectarianism to produce internal conflicts that have affected many Arab countries. We renew our strong condemnation of Iran’s terrorist acts in the Arab region and reject its blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries.

“Based on our belief that the Arab national security is an integral and indivisible system, we have presented you with an initiative to deal with the challenges facing the Arab countries under the title ‘Strengthening Arab National Security to Face Common Challenges,’ stressing the importance of developing the Arab League and its system.”

Jordan’s King Abdullah II said his country made every effort during its presidency of the Arab Summit, and in coordination with Arab leaders, to face the historical challenges of the Arab nation and harness all possibilities and international relations to serve the just causes of our Arab nation, especially the Palestinian cause and Holy Jerusalem.

King Abdullah praised the “positive developments and the victory that the Iraqi brothers achieved against Daesh terrorist organization ... we emphasize the need to complement the military victory with a political process that involves all components of the brotherly Iraqi people.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the adoption and support of the peace plan he put forward last February in the UN Security Council, which is based on the Arab initiative. It calls for convening an international peace conference in 2018 and for the admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the UN.

Abbas added: “The current US administration broke international laws by its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and has made itself a party to the conflict instead of a mediator for its solution, making talk of a US peace plan untenable.”

Abbas stressed that the Palestinian side never refused to engage in negotiations and that “it responded to all the initiatives that were presented, and worked with the international quartet and all successive US administrations down to the current one. We met with President Trump several times and waited [for the current administration] to present its plan for peace, but its recent decision constituted a major setback which was rejected by the majority of the world.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed absolute confidence in the wisdom of King Salman in supporting the joint Arab action mechanism, stressing that some regional countries are trying to establish areas of influence in the Arab countries.

As for the Yemeni crisis, El-Sisi said that Egypt is committed to working toward achieving a political solution in Yemen, stressing that Egypt would not tolerate the bombing of Saudi Arabia by some Yemeni elements. El-Sisi added that the army of a foreign state is currently present on the territories of two Arab countries.


Saudi Joint Forces Commander meets with UN envoy for Yemen

Updated 13 November 2024
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Saudi Joint Forces Commander meets with UN envoy for Yemen

  • During their meeting, both parties underscored the Kingdom’s significant role in facilitating and supporting humanitarian efforts in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Commander of the Joint Forces, Lt. Gen. Fahd bin Hamad Al-Salman, met on Tuesday with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg.

During their meeting, both parties underscored the Kingdom’s significant role in facilitating and supporting humanitarian efforts, along with its dedication to the development and reconstruction of Yemen, Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance humanitarian operations and promote peace and stability in Yemen.

Al-Salman reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to political initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just resolution to the Yemeni crisis.


Officials discuss Saudi-South Korean cooperation in nuclear power and defense

Updated 12 November 2024
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Officials discuss Saudi-South Korean cooperation in nuclear power and defense

  • First Korea-Gulf Cooperation Council cooperation seminar hosted around 80 participants to discuss trade relations, cooperation in the energy sector, and regional conflicts
  • Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Choi Byung-hyuk said that the seminar was an opportune space to discuss economic cooperation and to come to a shared understanding of regional conflicts

RIYADH: Officials and nuclear experts discussed cooperation in nuclear energy and defense between South Korea and Saudi Arabia during an event in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The first Korea-Gulf Cooperation Council cooperation seminar hosted around 80 participants to discuss trade relations, cooperation in the energy sector, and regional conflicts in the Middle East.

South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, said the seminar was an opportune space to discuss economic cooperation and to come to a shared understanding of regional conflicts in the GCC, specifically Gaza and the Red Sea, as well as a space to diversify energy cooperation in the nuclear and renewables sectors.

Kang Han-ok, vice president for SMART development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, presented a joint research project currently underway between South Korea and Saudi Arabia on small modular reactors.

“SMRs are being highlighted as carbon-zero energy sources that complement the intermittent nature of renewable energy in the global power supply sector,” Kang said.

He noted how the SMART100 SMR, jointly designed by Saudi and South Korean entities, was approved by Seoul’s nuclear regulator in September.

The reactor was jointly developed by KAERI, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corp.

Kang explained the reactor is now ready to be exported globally. “With its SDA acquaintance, SMART is now ready for global deployment in the demand of the power and thermal energy sectors,” he said.

Kang also spoke about ways to increase nuclear power plant cooperation between South Korea and GCC member states, citing the plan to establish a joint nuclear research and development center between the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project and KAERI.

The chairman of the Gulf Research Center, Abdulaziz Sager, emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s ability to rely on South Korea as a strong ally and defense supplier encouraged a relationship of trust and long-term partnership in the Kingdom’s security planning.

The seminar comes almost one year after the signing of a free trade agreement between South Korea and the GCC, signed on Dec. 28, 2023.

At the time, South Korea committed to eliminate 89.9 percent of tariffs on all products while the GCC committed to eliminate 76.4 percent, facilitating increased trade between the two parties.

The Korea-GCC FTA was 20 years in the making. Discussions for the agreement began in 2008, but it is yet to be verified or ratified. Lee Kwon-hyung, senior research fellow from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, put forward recommendations on how to pave the way for the agreement and how to best utilize it once finalized, including establishing an artificial intelligence data center to transition towards a green energy economy relying on solar, wind, and nuclear power for electricity generation.

“The AI data center needs a lot of electricity, so an energy transition and a digital transition are very imperative, and with the AI Data Center we can make industrial restructuring in both countries,” Lee said.

Prof. In Nam-sik, director general for strategic region studies at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, evaluated the impact of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and East Asia on Korean-GCC relations, as well as the transformation of the US-led liberal international order.

On the war on Gaza, In said: “The situation threatens to shift the two-state solution toward an apartheid scenario, further destabilizing the region.”

On Iran, In continued: “Iran’s expanding influence through its regional proxy contributes to ongoing instability, with concerns that the current dynamics may accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The transition in Iran’s leadership raises uncertainties, with hopes for a gradual regime change that might reduce Iran’s revolutionary stance.”

Commenting on US influence, In said: “As the US pivots its strategic focus to Asia, Gulf nations are adopting flexible diplomacy, leveraging both US and Chinese influence.”

In stated that the Middle Eastern and European fronts are already linked, and North Korean military support to Russia signals an increasing risk of interconnected conflicts across regions.

To combat these regional and international threats, In urged South Korea and the GCC to work together on security cooperation across information sharing and technology, joint maritime security exercises, and shared support for multilateral forums, in addition to continued political dialogue in the above mentioned areas.


Saudi cabinet reviews Arab-Muslim summit, reaffirms support for Palestine and Lebanon

Updated 12 November 2024
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Saudi cabinet reviews Arab-Muslim summit, reaffirms support for Palestine and Lebanon

  • Central to the session was a review of the extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Monday

RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, convened in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss outcomes from recent high-level summits and meetings.

Central to the session was a review of the extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Monday and the crown prince’s engagements with leaders from various countries.

The cabinet praised the summit’s outcomes and welcomed its signing of the Tripartite Mechanism Document to Support Palestine, a joint initiative by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, and the African Union Commission.

The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people as they face the severe humanitarian effects of the ongoing Israeli military action. It called on countries around the world to join an international coalition advocating for the two-state solution — a plan initiated this year by the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, led by Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the European Union and Norway.

During the session, the crown prince briefed the cabinet on his recent discussions with President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump.

The minister of media announced that the cabinet expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom’s Arab Week at UNESCO initiative, hosted at UN headquarters in Paris, for enhancing cultural dialogue and promoting understanding among diverse communities.

On domestic matters, council members commended the reception of the Saudi medical team that accomplished the world’s first complete robotic heart transplant. 

It also celebrated the success of the Beban 24 Forum’s 10th edition in Riyadh, which produced agreements and initiatives exceeding SR35.4 billion ($9.42 billion) aimed at bolstering entrepreneurship and enhancing the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the national gross domestic product.


Indian film icons Bobby Deol, Suriya hail Riyadh visit

Updated 12 November 2024
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Indian film icons Bobby Deol, Suriya hail Riyadh visit

  • The duo are in the Kingdom’s capital to promote epic saga ‘Kanguva,’ in theaters on Nov. 14

RIYADH: Bollywood icon Bobby Deol and Tamil cinema veteran Suriya spent time with fans and members of the press to promote their new film “Kanguva” in Riyadh.

They are among the latest international stars to visit the Kingdom’s capital and interact with local fans of their work.

“Kanguva” is an epic fantasy action film directed by Siva, starring Suriya, Deol, and Disha Patani, which hits the Kingdom’s theaters on Nov. 14.

Over the past few weeks, Suriya and Deol have been promoting “Kanguva” across India and abroad. (Supplied)

Speaking to fans at an event in Riyadh this week, Deol expressed his appreciation for fans in Saudi Arabia. “Today I am here with all of you, and so many of you. I am happy to be here among you all. I love you, Suriya loves you, we all love you for so much of your love and compassion,” he said.

Speaking about his first visit to Riyadh, Deol added: “I feel so happy that our people live here and are liked by the host country. I am glad to see you all. It’s your energy, it’s your love that gives us strength, and whatever we are today, it’s because of your love.

“So, thank you so much for having us here today.”

HIGHLIGHT

Bobby Deol and Suriya are among the latest international stars to visit the Kingdom’s capital to promote their film.

Suriya is in Riyadh for the first time for the film’s promotion.

The style icon told Arab News: “I am happy to be among our people living here and to see a lot of transformation going on in the Kingdom, including in the cinema sector, thanks to Vision 2030 — the ambitious plan to transform Saudi Arabia, diversify its economy and open to the world.

Deol said he is geared up for the release of “Kanguva,” his first multilingual work in both Tamil and Hindi. (AN photo by Rashid Hassan)

“It aims to create an ambitious nation, a thriving economy, and a vibrant society that allows citizens and residents to achieve their dreams, hopes and aspirations, I am happy to see the transformation,” the actor added.

Suriya and Deol also spoke about sharing the screen in “Kanguva,” admiring each other’s roles and working together.

Deol said he is geared up for the release of “Kanguva,” his first multilingual work in both Tamil and Hindi. He shared his admiration for Suriya, highlighting the powerful presence the actor brings on the screen.

Over the past few weeks, Suriya and Deol have been promoting “Kanguva” across India and abroad.

With Suriya in a double role and Deol as a dangerous villain, the film was made with a budget of over $35million and is one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year.

The film also features Patani as a character connected to both a historical and contemporary timeline. Primarily known for her glamorous roles, action-packed sequences and songs, this role portrays her in a fresh look.

 


Speaker of Shoura Council leads Saudi delegation at GCC Shoura meeting in Abu Dhabi

Updated 12 November 2024
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Speaker of Shoura Council leads Saudi delegation at GCC Shoura meeting in Abu Dhabi

  • Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the prominent regional and international standing of the GCC across political, economic, commercial, and information technology levels, the council said in a report

RIYADH: Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 18th periodic meeting of the Speakers of the Shoura Councils, Houses of Representatives, and National Assemblies of the Gulf Cooperation Council states in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the prominent regional and international standing of the GCC across political, economic, commercial, and information technology levels, the council said in a report.

The Kingdom’s delegation included Secretary-General of the Shoura Council Mohammed Dakhil Al-Mutiri and members of the Shoura Council Fadel bin Saad Al-Buainain and Dr. Arwa bint Obaid Al-Rashid, among others.