Gulf Business: Arab leaders gather for summit in Saudi

Gulf Business
Arab leaders gather for summit in Saudi

The meeting takes place amid rising tensions in Syria after strikes by the US, UK and France
Staff Writer
Sunday 15 April 2018


Leaders from across the Arab world have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 29th Arab Summit, beginning on Sunday in the city of Dhahran.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed the arrival of leaders from Oman, Somalia, Egypt, Libya, UAE, Palestine, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon, Mauritania and other countries.

Pictures posted by the state media agency on Twitter showed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and other leaders being greeted on arrival at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran by emir of the Eastern Province Prince Saud Bin Naif and Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

On the agenda will be the rising tensions in Syria over the weekend following air strikes from the US, UK and France in response to a chemicals weapons attack by the Assad regime.

Read: US, UK, France launch air strikes in Syria

Leaders will also push for a tougher stance on Iran and discuss the fate of Jerusalem as the US prepares to move its Israeli embassy there.

“All key regional issues are on the agenda, with Syria, Yemen and Palestine at the top,” Ali Al-Kayed, Jordanian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News.

Read: Trump threatens to cut aid to UN members over Jerusalem vote

A preparatory meeting of foreign minsters on Thursday stressed that there could be no peace and security in the Arab region “as long as Iran continues to interfere in the domestic affairs of Arab States”.

Saudi Arabia in particular is expected to push for a tougher stance on Iran, which it accuses of providing missile components to the Houthi rebels it has been fighting as part of a coalition in Yemen since 2015.

The King Abdulaziz International Cultural Centre is the host venue for the meeting and several roads in surrounding Al-Khobar, Dhahran and Dammam have been closed.

Saudi monarch King Salman has already arrived in the Eastern Province to chair the event.
ALSO READ
Arab Summit To Announce Unified Force To Counter Security Threats
Arab Summit To Announce Unified Force To Counter Security Threats
GCC Rift Looms Large Ahead Of Arab League Summit
GCC Rift Looms Large Ahead Of Arab League Summit
Gulf Arab Leaders To Meet Next Week Ahead Of Obama Summit
Gulf Arab Leaders To Meet Next Week Ahead Of Obama Summit
Putin Letter To Arab Summit Triggers Strong Saudi Attack
Putin Letter To Arab Summit Triggers Strong Saudi Attack
Saudi Foreign Minister Says US-GCC Summit To Focus On “Aggressive” Iran
Saudi Foreign Minister Says US-GCC Summit To Focus On “Aggressive” Iran
Saudi King Salman Phoned Obama, Discussed Summit, Yemen
Saudi King Salman Phoned Obama, Discussed Summit, Yemen
Saudi King Sending Crown Prince To Summit With US President Obama
Saudi King Sending Crown Prince To Summit With US President Obama
World leaders condemn missile attack on Saudi
World leaders condemn missile attack on Saudi
Lists
Top 50 GCC Banks 2017
Top 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2017
Top 100 GCC Companies 2016
Top 50 GCC Banks 2016
Top 50 GCC Banks 2015
Top 100 Powerful Arabs 2015
Advertisement
Most Read
Bahrain confirms Isra’a Wal Miraj holiday date
UAE announces Isra’a Wal Miraj holiday date
Kuwait announces Isra’a Wal Miraj holiday
UAE to approve law allowing 100% foreign ownership of companies by year-end
Saudi plans nuclear waste site, canal on Qatar border
UAE announces private sector holiday for Isra’a Wal Miraj
Saudi crown prince meets former US presidents, signs off on Aramco, Sabic projects
UAE to have dry night for national holiday
Dubai’s Emirates confirms death of passenger on flight to Amsterdam
Dubai's Emirates to cut flight frequency on US, Europe, Asia routes
Editor's Picks
Top 20 salaries in Kuwait 2018
Dubai's Emirates to cut flight frequency on US, Europe, Asia routes
Bahrain confirms Isra’a Wal Miraj holiday date
Saudi plans nuclear waste site, canal on Qatar border
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER

Advertisement

    Advertise With Us
    Privacy Policy
    Contact us
    Subscribe

Copyright © 2018 by Gulf Business.