Category: News

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke by telephone today with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, during which they reviewed fraternal relations and ways to enhance cooperation and joint coordination across various domains to serve their mutual benefits.

His Highness and His Majesty also discussed developments in the Middle East, most notably the worsening crisis taking place in the Gaza Strip and efforts to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, in addition to the priority of providing protection for civilians and enhancing the flow of humanitarian, medical and relief aid to the people of Gaza.

The two sides underscored the importance of coordinating Arab efforts in this regard, emphasising the need for urgent action by the international community to contain tension and push efforts towards a path of a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution to ensure stability and security for all.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Tashkent: The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, arrived today in the Uzbekistan capital, Tashkent, to attend the second ministerial meeting between GCC countries and Central Asian states, scheduled for tomorrow, and to hold several meetings.

At Tashkent International Airport, the minister was received by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bahram Aliyev.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Kuwait, April 13 – Kuwaiti cabinet affirmed keenness on responding to all regional incidents and surrounding conditions in a way that protects the security and stability of Kuwait amid the accelerating developments in the region.

This came during the Kuwaiti cabinet’s extraordinary meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of HH the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The meeting heard presentations by several ministers on the precautionary measures made by their respective ministries and competent state agencies to address any eventuality, particularly in the security domain.

The cabinet reaffirmed commitment to protecting the security and stability of the country.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Kabul, At least 33 people were killed as heavy rains and floods swept many Afghan provinces, a spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said on Sunday.

Janan Saeq added that 27 others sustained injuries due to the heavy rains that have been deluging 20 of the country’s 34 provinces, including the capital Kabul, since Friday.

The floods damaged 600 houses and destroyed 800 hectares of agricultural lands and 580 kilometers of roads besides killing 200 cattle, Saeq added.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Moscow: The Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday called on the concerned parties in the Middle East to exercise restraint, noting that failure to resolve the crises in the region, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, will lead to further tension in the region.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release: “Russia expresses its deep concern over any further dangerous escalation in the region, failure to resolve the crises in the Middle East, primarily the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, will lead to increased tension in the region.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza – Together – After midnight, a reverse wave of displacement began from the center of the Strip to Gaza City and the north.

Hundreds of citizens, most of them women and children, were seen walking on Al-Rashid Street near the Wadi Gaza Bridge in preparation for their return to the north.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that they made contact with their relatives who crossed the Israeli checkpoint without obstacles.

Witnesses reported that some of the displaced families in schools received calls from the Israeli army informing them that men over fifty, male children under 14, and women of all ages were allowed to return to the northern Gaza Strip.

The obstacle to the return of the displaced is the most prominent obstacle that hinders reaching a truce agreement, as Hamas insists on the return of the displaced without restrictions, amid Israeli refusal to stipulate a restricted return.

The return came in light of American pressure on Israel, which led to the operation of water lines and the return of bakeries in
Gaza City for the first time since the Israeli invasion of the city.

For its part, the occupation army denied the return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip area and considered them false and completely baseless rumours.

The army statement added, “The army does not allow the return of residents, neither via Salah al-Din nor via Al-Rashid (Al-Bahr) Street. For your safety, do not approach the forces operating there. The area north of the Gaza Strip is still a war zone and we will not allow return to it.”

Source: Maan News Agency