UAE FM discusses humanitarian crisis in Gaza with Israeli counterpart

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UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. (WAM)
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UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. (WAM)
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Updated 07 January 2025
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UAE FM discusses humanitarian crisis in Gaza with Israeli counterpart

  • Sheikh Abdullah emphasized the need for concerted efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and prevent the expansion of conflict in the region

DUBAI: The UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan received his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Emirates News Agency reported.

The meeting addressed the latest developments in the region, particularly the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, WAM said.

Discussions also covered regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire in the enclave.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasized the need for concerted efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and prevent the expansion of conflict in the region. He said that the priority is to end tension and violence, protect civilian lives, and make every effort to facilitate the flow of urgent humanitarian aid.

The foreign minister said the Middle East was experiencing unprecedented tension and instability, and requires international efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence.

He reiterated the UAE’s support for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the US to broker a prisoner exchange agreement that could lead to a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the safe and sustainable delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, highlighting the country’s longstanding solidarity with Palestinians over the decades.


Iraqi Kurdistan leader welcomes Syrian decree recognising Kurdish rights

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Iraqi Kurdistan leader welcomes Syrian decree recognising Kurdish rights

  • Remarks followed issuance of presidential decree by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa
  • Decree affirmed Syrian Kurds form integral part of the Syrian people

ERBIL: The President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, on Saturday welcomed a new Syrian presidential decree recognising the country’s Kurdish population, Syrian state media reported.

Barzani described the move as a significant political and legal step toward building a new Syria, the Syrian Arab News Agency added.

In a statement, Barzani expressed support for efforts aimed at establishing a Syrian state that represents all its communities without discrimination or marginalization.

His remarks followed the issuance on Friday of a presidential decree by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. 

The decree affirmed that Syrian Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian people and that their cultural and linguistic identity forms an inseparable component of Syria’s unified and diverse national identity, SANA reported.

The decree also formally recognized the Kurdish language and restores Syrian citizenship to all Kurdish Syrians.

The announcement came after clashes erupted last week in the northern city of Aleppo, leaving at least 23 people dead, according to Syria’s health ministry, and forcing more than 150,000 people to flee two Kurdish-run areas of the city. 

The fighting ended after Kurdish fighters withdrew and Syrian army forces retook control of the area.