Category: Politics

The Sultanate of Oman today chaired a meeting of GCC undersecretaries of culture under the chairmanship of Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture.

Sayyid Said pointed out that the meeting caps up a long march of diligent cultural action culminating in the GCC Cultural Strategy that serves as a guideline for cultural projects, events, plans and programmes. The overall outcome of the strategy kept pace with developments in the regional, Arab and international arenas.

The meeting builds on the achievements made so far and explores vistas for shaping a solid intellectual system that preserves the GCC cultural identity and protects its Arab and Islamic principles in a world that is witnessing the emergence of ideas that are not in harmony with customs and traditions and values of tolerance, Sayyid Said affirmed.

For his part, Khalid Ali Al Sunaidi, GCC Assistant Secretary for Economic and Development Affairs, valued the support of GCC leaders and their keenness in joint action in the field of culture.

He said that culture constitutes one of the basic pillars of national identity and cultural heritage in GCC states. He added that culture contributes to achieving sustainable development and that it is worth moving forward through the conservation of cultural values.

The meeting, held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel, discussed a number of topics, including the 10-year GCC Cultural Strategy (2020-2030), the coordination of positions among GCC states during international cultural forums and the implementation of annual plans for cultural events and activities, besides international cooperation in the field of culture.

Source: Oman News Agency

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, is currently meeting at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh with Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, today, Monday, discussed with Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran Affairs, the latest developments taking place in the regional and international arenas.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein received, today, Monday, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran Affairs, Victoria Taylor, and her accompanying delegation, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alena Romanowski.

During the meeting, bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries were discussed, in addition to discussing a number of issues and files of common interest, and the latest developments taking place in the regional and international arenas.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Military Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Jawad Kadhim Mohi, discussed, today, Monday, with the NATO representative in Iraq cooperation in the field of building integrity and readiness in the Iraqi army.

A statement by the Ministry of Defense stated that the Military Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense met, today, Monday, with the NATO representative in Iraq and her accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, according to the statement, they discussed cooperation frameworks in the field of building integrity and readiness in the Iraqi army.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and Najib Mikati, Lebanese Prime Minister, the latest developments between Palestine and the Zionist entity.

The Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department said in a statement on Monday that Erdogan interrupted the government meeting and made a phone call with Mahmoud Abbas, during which he discussed the latest developments related to the events between Israel and Palestine and the tension in the region.

During the call, Erdogan stressed that Turkey is making every effort to end the clashes and establish calm in the region as soon as possible, according to the statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also discussed the escalating clashes in the region against the backdrop of Israeli-Palestinian tension.

The Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department said in its statement that the increasing clashes in the region were discussed in the context of Israeli-Palestinian tension, and they exchanged views in this regard.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati the increasing tensions in the region against the backdrop of Israeli-Palestinian clashes.

During the call, Erdogan stressed that Turkey will continue to make efforts to end the clashes.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Israeli colonists tonight set fire to two Palestinian-owned tents near the village of Kisan, east of Bethlehem, in the southern occupied West Bank, said a local official. Head of Kisan Village Council, Mousa Abayat, told WAFA that colonists set fire to two tents located in al-Qanub area near Kisan village on lands belonging to Hebron’s town of Sa’ir. The tents belong to the al-Shalalda family and were used for livestock purposes. Israeli colonists have escalated their violations against Palestinians in the eastern region of Bethlehem, especially against sheepherders. Meanwhile, an Israeli colonial settler tried to run over several Palestinians in the town of Tuqou, southeast of Bethlehem. Activist Mustafa Al-Baden told WAFA that a colonist tried to run over a group of young Palestinian men as they were passing on the main street in the Khirbet Al-Deir area, before fleeing the scene. No casualties were reported, however.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

A Palestinian man succumbed tonight to critical wounds he sustained earlier this evening after being shot by Israeli forces’ live fire during confrontations that erupted at the entrance of the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, according to the Ministry of Health. The ministry, in a brief statement, said that Muntasir Za’aqiq, 31, died of his serious head wounds. Earlier this evening, Israeli forces attacked the funeral procession of slain Palestinian Mahmoud Bassem Ikhmees, who succumbed on Saturday to critical wounds he sustained during confrontations that broke out at the town’s entrance, leading to confrontations. Za’aqiq was shot and critically injured in the head during the confrontations and taken to hospital for medical treatment, where he succumbed to his serious wounds hours later.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

President Mahmoud Abbas received tonight a phone call from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which they discussed the latest dangerous developments in the Palestinian territories. President Abbas stressed during the phone call the importance of immediate regional and international intervention to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip, before it is too late. President Abbas warned against the Israeli occupation authorities’ announcement of cutting off basic needs of water and electricity, and preventing the entry of food supplies to our people in the Gaza Strip, which constitutes a crime against humanity and requires international intervention to prevent such a humanitarian disaster from occurring and to deliver relief and medical aid to our people in the Gaza Strip. The President stressed that the only solution to all the escalation taking place in the region is the political solution of ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital. The President thanked and appreciated his counterpart for his country’s firm position in support of the just Palestinian cause. For his part, President Erdogan stressed that Turkey is making every effort and making contact with all international and regional parties in order to stop the ongoing escalation, and that it will continue to vehemently provide support to defend the Palestinian cause. He stressed that Turkey is closely monitoring developments in Palestine and is deeply concerned about the increasing loss of life and destruction.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister today received a phone call from James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK).

The two sides expressed concern over the current escalation between Israelis and Palestinians. They underlined the need to get the international community shoulder its responsibilities toward this serious crisis by intervening immediately to stop the escalation and tackle its repercussions that threaten to bring about further violence.

During the phone call, Sayyid Badr stressed the significance of achieving a two-state solution through the resumption of the peace process and the activation of rules of the international law for the termination of Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Arab League (AL) Council at the level of foreign ministers will hold a meeting at the League’s headquarters after tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, at the request of the State of Palestine.

In a statement today, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League said that this emergency session of the Council will be chaired by Morocco, the current president of the Ministerial Council of the Arab League.

On Sunday, Palestine announced that it submitted a memorandum requesting an emergency meeting of the Arab League’s Council of Arab foreign ministers to be convened at the earliest possible date. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ways to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, hold its perpetrators accountable, provide international protection for the Palestinian people, and achieve peace and security based on international law, legitimate international resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Source: Oman News Agency

Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), received Shaikh Mohammed bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), received Vinod K. Jacob, the newly appointed Indian Ambassador to Bahrain.

Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defense Affairs, and Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Chief of Staff, attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed ways to enhance Bahraini-Indian relations.

The Commander-in-Chief wished the ambassador success in performing his new diplomatic duties.

Source: Bahrain News Agency