
Dragon Group defense chiefs emphasize importance of protecting maritime navigation
RIYADH — Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted the eighth meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Dragon Group member states in Riyadh on Sunday.
The Saudi Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili inaugurated the meeting, which discussed topics of common interest. These included the fight against terrorism, developments in the Palestinian territories, the importance of delivering humanitarian aid, and efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
The participants emphasized the importance of securing and protecting maritime navigation, ensuring the safety and security of waterways, and strengthening efforts to combat smuggling and piracy.
The Dragon Group is an annual forum for Middle East defense chiefs from 10 countries in addition to the GCC General Secretariat. The meeting was attended by the Chiefs of Staff and representatives of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in addition to the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
US says it rejects Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Washington rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state, with the top American diplomat calling it a 'reckless decision.' Macron said on Thursday that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the Middle East. 'This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace,' Rubio said in a post on X. Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said in June he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a US foreign policy goal.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Canada condemns Israeli government over ‘humanitarian disaster' in Gaza
OTTAWA: Canada on Thursday condemned the Israeli government for failing to prevent what Prime Minister Mark Carney called a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid delivery to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. 'Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith. We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza,' Carney said on X.


Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia welcomes France's move to recognize State of Palestine
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of France's intention to formally recognize the State of Palestine, describing the move as a 'historic decision' that reinforces international support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. In a statement issued Thursday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised France's position as a reaffirmation of global consensus on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom said the move aligns with international law and United Nations resolutions, calling for a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. 'The Kingdom underscores the importance of continued efforts by states to implement international resolutions and uphold international law,' the statement read, emphasizing the diplomatic weight of Macron's pledge. Riyadh also renewed its longstanding call for countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so, urging the international community to take serious and effective steps to advance peace and support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. President Macron announced on Thursday that France would recognize the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly session in September. 'Faithful to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,' he wrote on X. He underscored the urgency of halting hostilities in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and delivering large-scale humanitarian aid to civilians. Macron also called for the demilitarization of Hamas and a plan to rebuild Gaza. 'The goal must be to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it—by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel—to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,' he said. 'There is no alternative,' Macron added, stressing the French people's desire for peace and calling for a joint effort among Israelis, Palestinians, and international partners to make it a reality. In a letter to the Palestinian Authority president, Macron affirmed France's commitment to peace, citing mutual trust and clear intentions. 'Trust, clarity, and commitment. We will achieve peace,' he concluded.