Latest news with #MohammedBinZayed
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Syria's al-Sharaa met Israeli security official in UAE: Exclusive
Diplomatic sources have revealed to Al Mayadeen that Syrian interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa held a secret meeting on Wednesday with the Israeli occupation's National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegbi, in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. The high-level encounter was reportedly coordinated directly by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. According to the sources, both al-Sharaa and Hanegbi arrived in Abu Dhabi aboard separate flights that landed at nearly the same time. The meeting, which took place in the city, marks what the sources described as 'a significant development' in the ongoing clandestine normalization negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv. The sources further disclosed that a degree of coordination has been developing between certain new security agencies in Damascus and the Israeli occupation. One of the key outcomes of the meeting, according to the sources, was a concession offered by al-Sharaa regarding the occupied Syrian Golan Heights in exchange for international backing to secure his position in power. Ongoing negotiations reportedly include the establishment of three demilitarized zones in southern Syria, covering Daraa, Quneitra, and As-Suweida provinces. These zones would see the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from military barracks, and any Syrian army or police units operating in those areas would be limited to using light arms only. Israeli media also reported that a Syrian businessman and political activist recently visited the Knesset, allegedly delivering a message from al-Sharaa expressing interest in normalization with the Israeli occupation. The businessman was quoted as saying al-Sharaa believes the region is witnessing 'opportunities that come only once in a century.' This comes just days after al-Sharaa's official visit to the United Arab Emirates on July 7 to meet with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed. It also coincides with the arrival of US envoy Tom Barrack to Syria on Wednesday afternoon, following his recent visit to Lebanon. Syria is demanding the return of at least one-third of the Golan Heights territory occupied by "Israel" prior to the 1974 armistice agreement, according to a source close to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who spoke to i24NEWS on Thursday. "There is no such thing as peace for free," the source said, outlining two potential scenarios for a political settlement. The first scenario, the official indicated, would see "Israel" retaining strategic areas equivalent to one-third of the Golan Heights and handing over a third to Syria. The remaining third is leased to "Israel" by Syria for 25 years. Read more: 'Israel', Syria discuss security agreement against Hezbollah, Iran According to the Syrian official, the second scenario would see "Israel" keeping two-thirds of the occupied Golan Heights and handing over one-third to Syria, with the possibility of leasing it. Under this scenario, the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli and possibly additional Lebanese territories, including the Beqaa Valley, would be handed over to Syria, the official revealed. The source said that Syria aims to "reclaim sovereignty" over Tripoli, which it considers one of five regions detached from Syria to form the Lebanese state during the French Mandate, pointing out that the return of these areas, including other northern Lebanese regions, should be part of a comprehensive agreement. As part of the broader settlement, Syria is proposing a regional water agreement involving Turkey, Syria, and "Israel". This would allow "Israel" to extend a pipeline to transport water from the Euphrates River.
LBCI
24-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Iran president says Israel, US 'cannot impose unjust aspirations by force'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Israel and the United States "cannot impose unjust aspirations by force," as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel took hold after 12 days of fighting. "The Islamic Republic of Iran was forced into the military conflict to defend itself, and I hope that we will never be forced to fight again," Pezeshkian said during a phone call with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, according to the official IRNA news agency. AFP
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Israel-Iran war: Gulf states scramble to secure diplomatic solution
Arab Gulf states have engaged on multiple diplomatic fronts to end the Israel-Iran war and return to regional stability as tensions rise. Unanimous Gulf condemnation of Israel's attack on Iran has presaged a battle for self-preservation. The war could destroy decades of economic advancement achieved by the Gulf countries and destabilise the region. Having cultivated relations with Iran for years, the six Gulf Co-operation Council states – the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia , Oman, Bahrain , Qatar and Kuwait – are campaigning for an end to hostilities. They fear US intervention on Israel's side could prompt Iran to retaliate by striking US military bases in the Gulf, dangerously widening the conflict. An Emirati analyst who has close ties to his government said the Gulf leaders 'may not support US intervention [by] allowing airspace access or the use of bases, but they can't prevent it'. Iran could retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world's oil flows, while Israel could bomb Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, located on the Gulf coast, which would release land, sea and air pollution. READ MORE Due to its ties to both Iran and Israel, the Emirates has taken the lead. President Mohammed bin Zayed told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that the Emirates has been engaged in 'intensive consultations with all concerned parties' to de-escalate the crisis. Bin Zayed has also contacted Russian president Vladimir Putin , who in turn has spoken to Pezeshkian, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US president Donald Trump with the same objective. Oman has been incensed over Israel's attack, which disrupted talks the sultanate had mediated between the US and Iran on limiting Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The cancelled sixth round of talks was to take place last Sunday, 48 hours after Israel began bombing Iran. Tehran has said Iran will resume the talks once there is a ceasefire. Having restored diplomatic ties with Iran in 2023 after six years of estrangement, Saudi Arabia has engaged with Tehran and Washington since 'day one', according to Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi. The best outcome would be a deal between Iran and the US, he said. Crown prince and de facto Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman has discussed the situation with the Iranian and Emirati presidents. The prince fears war could disrupt his 2030 plan to develop the kingdom's economy and reduce its dependence on volatile oil revenues. [ Israel-Iran latest: Israeli minister says Khamenei 'can no longer be allowed to exist' after hospital strike Opens in new window ] Qatar – which has mediated between Hamas and Israel – has been 'engaging daily' with the US, its foreign ministry spokesman said. Kuwait could be the Gulf country to suffer most from a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz as 90 per cent of its exports pass through the waterway. Its government fears spillover from the Israel-Iran war could extend far beyond the Gulf region.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Lebanon PM says media is key to nation's peace after conflict
DUBAI: Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has emphasized the pivotal role of the media in shaping a new era of peace and prosperity for Lebanon. 'We are at a historical juncture in our country, especially when it comes to media. We want a living Arab media that creates the future and doesn't linger on the past,' Salam said during his address on Tuesday at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. Since Lebanon's ceasefire agreement with Israel in November, the country has been racing to rebuild — physically, socially, and politically. 'We are back — back to our state and back to our Arab identity,' Salam declared, concluding his speech and receiving emphatic applause from the audience. He credited the UAE and GCC for their support in Lebanon's recovery, noting the significance of Emirati citizens returning to visit the country. 'I want to thank the GCC, and especially the UAE and its leaders such as His Highness President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who kept their promise and allowed our Emirati brothers to travel to Lebanon,' he said. Highlighting the media's power in shaping public discourse, Salam acknowledged both its potential for progress and its risk of harm. 'Seventy-five percent of the world's population has a smartphone; 67 percent are connected to the internet, and 57 percent receive news through social media,' he said. 'Media is becoming a tool for misinformation and the spread of distorted context.' In a country marked by decades of political and sectarian divides, Salam stressed the importance of media neutrality in his nation. 'We don't want the media to be loyal to us. We want it to be professional, neutral, and a shared space for understanding,' he stated. Despite progress, Salam warned that Lebanon's path forward remains complex, but harnessing the influence of the media was a critical tool for improving conditions in Lebanon, and maintaining sovereignty. 'We still have commitments,' he said, referring to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. 'We continue to face occupation of our land and ongoing violations from Israel.' He reassured, however, that while the media can be a 'maker of peace and war,' Lebanon would prioritize a neutral media outlet — free from sectarian ties — that upholds truth for the well-being of all Lebanese citizens. 'I speak to you not only as a prime minister, but as Lebanese citizen, I have lived through the pain and hope, and I also believe that when words are honest and true, they can be a bridge to building humanity between communities.' 'Lebanon is making its comeback from its crises, based on the principle of reform and sovereignty. Our vision for Lebanon is not just imagined, it is a project. 'We want a state of decision and a country that is enshrined in its Arab identity and to become a bridge from the east to the west,' he said. 'We are back, we are back to our state and back to our Arab identity,' he said.
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Live Iran has ‘sort of' agreed nuclear deal, Trump says
Iran has 'sort of' agreed to a deal with the US on its nuclear programme, Donald Trump said. Speaking in Doha, Qatar, the US president said Washington was getting close to an agreement with Tehran and emphasised that he would not allow the regime to build a nuclear weapon. Earlier, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader told NBC News that Tehran is willing to make concessions on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. These would include committing to not making a nuclear weapon and getting rid of stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium, which can be weaponised. Mr Trump is on the third day of a four day visit to the Middle East that has included lucrative visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He will shortly deliver a speech to US troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, before heading to the UAE later today. Mr Trump will meet Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's president, to discuss investment opportunities largely in the sectors artificial intelligence, energy and manufacturing. In March, the Gulf state announced a $1.4 trillion investment plan with the US for the next decade. Mr Trump is also expected to lift Biden-era export restrictions on advanced technologies, as the UAE is seeking US-made microchips and AI systems to become a global AI leader by 2031.
