GCC chief slams Khamenei over interference in Bahrain

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has condemned remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Bahrain and its people during a recent conference in Iran. Al-Zayani dismissed the statements Khamenei made at the “Muslim Scholars and Islamic Awakening” held in Iran recently as “reprehensible fallacies” and a “blatant interference” in the internal affairs of Bahrain. He said the statements were in breach of the principles of the religion of Islam and good neighborliness, as well as the international law.

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Riyadh made capital of Gulf Monetary Council

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Gulf Monetary Council has signed an agreement declaring Riyadh as its headquarters here yesterday.
The agreement was co-signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah representing the Kingdom and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the council Fahd Al-Mubarak representing the council.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait are the four members in the monetary council, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday. The council aims to launch a single currency at least by 2015, according to earlier reports.

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Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to Travel to the Middle East

Source: U.S. Department of Defense (Read full story)

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will travel to Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates April 20-27. Hagel will first travel to Israel where he will meet with Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres to further the close military to military relationship between the United States and Israel.  Hagel’s trip follows on President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel where he announced that the United States and Israel will negotiate a new 10-year agreement to provide Israel with foreign military financing.  The secretary will also discuss regional challenges including those presented by Iran and Syria.

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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed meets Obama

Source: The Gulf Today (Read full story)

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Sheikh Mohammed exchanged views with the US President on the latest regional and international developments, as well as international initiatives and efforts to promote peace, stability and development in the Middle East. During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed also met with the US Vice President Joseph Biden and discussed with him the strong ties and shared interests between the UAE and the USA.  According to recently released US government data, the UAE is ranked among the US’ fastest growing trading partners. Total bilateral trade between the two countries grew from approximately $4.5 billion in 2002 to $24.8 billion in 2012.  While in Washington on his two-day visit, the Crown Prince will also meet with senior US government officials and members of the Congress.

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GCC urges IAEA to send team to Iran nuclear plant

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

The Gulf Co-operation Council yesterday called for international inspectors to be sent to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant over concerns of possible radiation leaks after an earthquake hit the area. The body demanded the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “send a specialised technical team to inspect the Bushehr nuclear plant and investigate potential damage”, GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani told an emergency meeting of top Gulf officials. A 6.1 magnitude quake hit Iran on Tuesday at a depth of 12km in the area of Kaki, according to the Iranian Seismological Centre.

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Billionaires Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Bill Gates Team Up to Defeat Polio

Source: Saudi – US Trade Group (Read full story)

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Two of the richest men in the world, and the two richest men in the United States and Saudi Arabia respectively, are teaming up through their foundations to finally eradicate polio, according to a press release. “The Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation-Global (Registered in Lebanon), chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) in a unique partnership with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, co-chaired by Mr. Bill Gates to bolster the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.  The Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation has pledged $30 Million to this critical global effort…

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Influence of Iran, Brotherhood on GCC states

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

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There is confusion among Gulf citizens about the role of Iran and its intervention in their domestic affairs, and the role of Muslim Brotherhood, or what is called political Islam, which is dominating the Arab Spring states.  With the uprising in Syria in its third year, it is clear for any observer that Iran has spread its security and intelligence influence in the Gulf. Recently, the Saudi Ministry of Interior disclosed that it has busted an Iranian spy network comprising of 16 Saudis and two others from Iran and Lebanon. Similarly, Bahrain revealed the arrest of a terrorist cell which was planning to form an armed opposition force under the name “Al Emam Army” with the aim of attacking military bases in the country.

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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques performs funeral prayer for Prince Badr bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

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The funeral prayer was also performed by Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of UAE President; former Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Al-Hariri; a number of princes, ministers, senior civil and military officials; and a group of citizens. The funeral prayer was led by the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh.
Following the funeral prayer, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received condolences on the death of Prince Badr bin Abdulaziz.

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