Gabon backs Riyadh Expo 2030 bid

Saudi Arabia Royal Court Advisor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan was in Libreville on Friday. (SPA)
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Updated 23 November 2023
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Gabon backs Riyadh Expo 2030 bid

  • Immongault also welcomed the First Saudi-African and Fifth Arab-African summits that will be held in Riyadh this year

RIYADH:  Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs Hermann Immongault on Friday affirmed his country's support for the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba received Saudi Arabia Royal Court Advisor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan in Libreville on Friday.

During a press conference in the Gabonese capital, Immongault also welcomed the First Saudi-African and Fifth Arab-African summits that will be held in Riyadh this year, stressing that these summits are important to both African countries and the Arab world, and will contribute to strengthening cooperation in many fields.

Qattan expressed the Kingdom's appreciation for the Gabonese support, stressing that it stems from the close ties the two countries enjoy, Saudi Press Agency reported.

In N'Djamena, Qattan delivered a message from King Salman to Mahamat Idriss Deby, Head of Transitional Council and President of the Republic of Chad.

In remarks after the meeting, Qattan stressed that Saudi Arabia appreciates Déby’s support of the Kingdom’s Expo 2030 bid. Chad backed the Saudi candidacy in Feb. 22, 2022.

Qattan also affirmed the Kingdom’s appreciation of Déby for welcoming the convening of the first Saudi-African Summit and the fifth Arab-African summit in Riyadh.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman participated last month in the Kingdom’s recent official reception for Riyadh’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030.

The most recent World Expo took place in Dubai from Oct. 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022. The next World Expo will take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan from April 13 until Oct. 13, 2025.


Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

Updated 34 min 59 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

  • They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday also condemned ongoing violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday led renewed regional condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, which have resulted in the killing and wounding of more than 1,000 Palestinians.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkiye said the breaches represented a dangerous escalation that risked inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to restore calm and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday condemned what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations and warned they threatened de-escalation efforts and regional stability.

The ministers said the latest developments come at a critical moment, as regional and international efforts intensify to advance the second phase of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, SPA added.

They warned that the repeated violations pose a direct threat to the political process and could derail attempts to create the conditions for a more stable phase in Gaza, both in security and humanitarian terms. They stressed the need for full adherence to the ceasefire to ensure the success of the next phase of the peace plan.

The statement called on all parties to assume their responsibilities during this sensitive period, exercise maximum restraint, sustain the ceasefire, and avoid any actions that could undermine current diplomatic efforts. It also urged steps to facilitate early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

Reaffirming their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, the ministers said this must be based on the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.