Qatar emir announces attendance at GCC summit in Saudi Arabia

(FILES) Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attends the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017. (AFP)
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Updated 05 January 2021
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Qatar emir announces attendance at GCC summit in Saudi Arabia

  • Attendance confirmed after Kuwait announced Kingdom would reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar

DOHA: Qatar said Monday its ruler Sheikh Tamim would attend the GCC summit being held in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The announcement came after Kuwait said there had been a breakthrough in the boycott of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf and Arab countries since 2017.

“The Emir of the country is heading the delegation of the State of Qatar to participate in the meeting of the... Gulf Cooperation Council,” Sheikh Tamim's office said.

His attendance at the summit, being held in AlUla and chaired by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, was confirmed after Kuwait announced the Kingdom would reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Monday the summit would create a united front, would bolster peace and prosperity and lead to a closing of ranks to promote solidarity in the face of regional challenges.

The Kingdom, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt had boycotted Qatar since June 2017 over its support for extremist groups and ties with the Iranian regime.


Saudi foreign minister discusses Gaza and West Bank situation with Palestinian vice president

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and the Vice President of Palestine Hussein Al-Sheikh meet in Riyadh.
Updated 50 min 16 sec ago
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Saudi foreign minister discusses Gaza and West Bank situation with Palestinian vice president

  • Talks included the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza’s residents and Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire there

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank during a meeting with the Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Talks included the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza’s residents, Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire there, and the Israeli escalation in the West Bank, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two officials highlighted the importance of ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, releasing Palestinian Authority funds, protecting the Palestinian banking system, the implementation of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and the Kingdom’s support for a reform program launched by President Mahmoud Abbas.

They also discussed continuing efforts to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the formation of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.