The new Kuwaiti government, Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, took the oath of office on Wednesday before Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Meshal called upon the new government to pursue promised reforms while upholding the principles of justice, transparency, and openness.

Emphasizing that the nation is embarking on a new phase of dedicated and responsible work, he underlined the importance of unwavering dedication and safeguarding the freedoms and interests of the Kuwaiti people.

He urged accountability and for the government to set priorities, unify efforts, harness energies to achieve its goals.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Wednesday Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.

They discussed ways to bolster cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Slovenia in various fields and intensify bilateral coordination on issues of common interest.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Prince Saad bin Mansour Al Saud, along with several officials, attended the meeting.

The 50th Saudi relief airplane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, arrived at Al-Arish in Egypt on Wednesday to deliver aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The assistance is consistent with Saudi Arabia's humanitarian role in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people during crises.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Wednesday several royal decrees related to the appointment of state officials.

Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf Al Muqrin was appointed Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the rank of minister.

Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri, Vice Minister of the National Guard, was relieved of his post, while Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf Al Muqrin, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was named as his replacement.

Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri was named an Advisor at the Royal Court with the rank of minister.

Khaled bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Abdulkarim was appointed Secretary General of the Cabinet with the rank of minister.

Al-Shihana bint Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Azzaz, Deputy Secretary General of the Cabinet, was relieved of her post and named an Advisor at the Royal Court.

Mazen bin Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sudairy was named as an Advisor at the Secretariat General of the Cabinet with the rank of excellent.

Eng. Sami bin Abdullah Muqeem was appointed Vice President of the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) with the rank of excellent and Al-Rebdi bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Rebdi was named head of the National Data Management Office with the rank of excellent.

Abdulmohsen bin Saad bin Abdulmohsen Al-Khalaf was named Vice Deputy Minister of Finance with the rank of excellent and Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Duhaim was named Assistant Minister of Commerce with the rank of excellent.

Dr. Abdullah bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Ahmari was appointed Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development with the rank of excellent.

Eng. Anas bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Sulaia was named Assistant Minister of Tourism with the rank of excellent.

The Israeli war on Gaza will dominate the Arab Summit set to take place in Bahrain on Thursday, as Arab support for an international conference on the two-state solution gains traction.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged joint Arab action to stop the war and pave the way for a Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.

The dire situation in Gaza has cast a shadow over the Arab Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting for the Arab Summit in Bahrain on Tuesday.

Aboul Gheit told ministers that words fail to express the anger and sadness felt towards what is happening in Gaza, adding that the Israeli leaders’ thirst for revenge has led to appalling crimes, recognized as ethnic cleansing.

Aboul Gheit called the aggression a “shameful stain,” not just on Israel but on the world for allowing such atrocities.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, said the ministers agreed on all agenda items, mainly focusing on politics, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront due to the Israeli aggression.

Zaki said Arab states aren’t keen on discussing post-war plans for Gaza, focusing instead on a ceasefire for ending the conflict.

Aboul Gheit urged support for recognizing Palestine, pushing for an international conference involving all parties committed to the two-state solution.

He stressed that both Palestinians and Israelis can’t solve the issue alone and need ongoing international intervention.

He also highlighted the need for international intervention to protect Palestinians from genocide, stating that bilateral negotiations are no longer viable as Israel refuses to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state.

Sources disclosed that Arab foreign ministers discussed aligning positions to present a unified Arab stance on the Gaza conflict and Palestinian statehood at the Arab summit. They also coordinated on summit documents and resolutions.

Arab foreign ministers met informally with Aboul Gheit before their preparatory session to discuss the agenda for the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s support for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, continuous aid access, and a clear path towards a two-state solution for Palestine.

Aboul Gheit affirmed that the Arab gathering is in support of recognizing Palestine as part of a concrete plan leading to an international conference involving all parties committed to the two-state solution.

Following the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday, Zaki highlighted Arab consensus on Palestine spans various fronts, with substantial political support crucial for the cause’s integrity.

He dismissed notions of significant discord, asserting that while differing views on peace and Palestine exist, Arab political backing remains steadfast, evident in decisions at the Arab Summit in Bahrain.

On Gaza’s post-war phase, Zaki stated that Arab states won’t discuss it officially until hostilities cease to prevent harm to the cause. He emphasized the summit’s focus on halting Israeli aggression.

Zaki also mentioned extensive discussions among Arab foreign ministers regarding the Rafah incursion, indicating it will influence a robust Arab stance.

Arab nations back the proposal for an international conference to safeguard Palestinians and push for progress towards a two-state solution.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi met on Monday to discuss Gaza’s situation and regional efforts to stop the conflict.

Both emphasized the need to halt military actions in Rafah and warned against Israel’s ongoing occupation of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which blocks humanitarian aid.

They stressed implementing the two-state solution to end the occupation and meet Palestinian rights.

The agenda of the Arab Summit in Bahrain will cover Arab cooperation in politics, economics, social issues, culture, media, security, and collaboration with international and regional groups.

Besides Gaza, the summit will address crises like the war in Sudan, which also faces famine.

The summit will also tackle crises in Libya, Yemen, and Syria. On his part, Aboul Gheit stressed the need for ongoing Arab efforts to prevent these crises from being forgotten.

The 49th Saudi relief airplane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, arrived at Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt.

The aid carried shelter items to be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip.
The assistance is consistent with Saudi Arabia's humanitarian role in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in times of crisis.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks in Manama on Tuesday with several of his counterparts from across the Arab world on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting for the 33rd ordinary summit of the Arab League Council.

He met with Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein Awad for talks on the latest developments in Sudan and the ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Prince Faisal met with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad. They tackled various aspects of relations and ways to strengthen and develop them.

They also discussed recent developments and issues of mutual interest.

Prince Faisal also met with his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yihya for talks on ways to strengthen the close relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

They reviewed the latest regional and international developments.

The Saudi FM held a meeting with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi.

They discussed bolstering relations between their countries, as well as the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas.

Prince Faisal met with Iraqi Deputy PM and FM Fuad Hussain on the sidelines of the Manama meeting.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz welcomed on Tuesday pilgrims who have started to arrive in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

Chairing a cabinet meeting in Jeddah, King Salman stressed that serving the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, caring for pilgrims and ensuring their comfort are the Kingdom’s top priorities.

He instructed the authorities involved in the implementation of Hajj plans to continue to provide the best practices and finest services to the pilgrims at the Kingdom's various points of entry, and in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.

The cabinet reviewed recent talks held by Kingdom officials with representatives of various other countries, including the telephone talks between Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Ukrainian president, during which they reviewed relations and issues of mutual concern.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the cabinet discussed a series of reports on regional and international developments and emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to collaborating with the international community to ensure global security and stability.

The Kingdom is dedicated to cooperating and participating in international relief efforts, and to advocating for the issues of concern to Arab and other Muslim nations.

It welcomed the recent UN General Assembly resolution supporting full membership for the State of Palestine, stressing the urgency of ending the Israeli military escalation and the violations against civilians and humanitarian workers.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chaired on Tuesday the second meeting of the follow-up committee for the implementation of resolutions and commitments, held in Manama on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers' meeting preparing for the 33rd Arab Summit.

The officials reviewed the committee's final report and recommendations as well.

Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, amid meetings to prepare for the upcoming Arab Summit in Bahrain.

Zaki is confident the summit will make strong decisions on Palestine, despite ongoing debates on other issues.

He emphasized that the summit, held under unusual circumstances due to the Gaza conflict, aims to meet Arab public expectations without raising divisive topics to Arab leaders.

Preparatory meetings for the Arab Summit kicked off in the Bahraini capital of Manama last Saturday.

Officials first met to discuss an emergency plan to deal with the aftermath of the Israeli attacks on Palestine, then worked on joint Arab efforts in economics and social matters.

On Monday, representatives outlined political frameworks, gearing up for presentations to Arab foreign ministers on Tuesday, and leaders next Thursday.

The Palestinian cause is a central focus of Arab summits. Zaki stated that the Arab Summit in Bahrain would thoroughly address this issue, especially given the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza.

He mentioned that the Arab League is closely monitoring developments in Gaza and political moves related to the conflict, including Israeli actions in the West Bank.

Zaki stressed that any progress in the Palestinian situation deserves Arab responses, which will be discussed at the summit to determine next steps.

He also highlighted the Arab League’s efforts to gain more recognition for Palestine internationally and prepare for a peace conference. All these topics are expected to be addressed and resolved at the Manama gathering.

During a meeting in Cairo last March, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares discussed the idea of holding an international peace conference.

Aboul Gheit stressed the importance of Arab-European cooperation to make this conference happen, aiming for a two-state solution and a political future for Palestinians.

On his part, Zaki reiterated that the Palestinian issue remains a top priority for the Arab world and the Arab League. Therefore, it will be a key topic at the upcoming Summit, especially given the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“The Summit will express strong Arab support for Palestinian rights and call on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities toward them, which are crucial for all Palestinians,” Zaki told Asharq Al-Awsat.

In recent years, decisions regarding the Palestinian issue have been prominent in the final statements of Arab summits. Since the Gaza war began, the Arab League has held multiple meetings at different levels.

Last November, Saudi Arabia hosted an Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, where ministers from several countries were tasked with starting international efforts to stop the war in Gaza and push for a serious peace process.

Regarding other topics on the agenda for the upcoming Arab Summit, Zaki mentioned that it will discuss various issues agreed upon throughout the year.

He explained that since the Jeddah Summit last year, political matters reflecting the crises in the Arab world have been discussed, and that it’s natural for these to be discussed at the Arab leaders’ summit.