UAE Recalls Envoy To Sweden Over Minister’s Comments On Saudi

The country also summoned Sweden’s ambassador to the UAE to deliver a formal protest against remarks made by the Swedish foreign minister.

Kuwait Drops Court Case Over “Plot” Tape

Government investigators determined that the recordings were not authentic and had been edited.

Kuwait Detains Political Activist Over Tweets Against Saudi Arabia

Tariq al-Mutairi, head of the liberal Civil Democratic Movement was detained on his way home early on Wednesday.

US Embassy In Saudi Continues To Remain Closed Over Security Fears

Currently no visa or consular services are being provided in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dhahran.

Three Iraqis Dead In Explosion Near Kuwaiti Border

Police sources in Iraq said the victims were civilians who died in an explosion from a truck trailer.

EU Chooses Italian Negotiator As EU Middle East Envoy

The EU has picked Fernando Gentilini, an official who has worked for NATO in Afghanistan, as the new envoy.

Bahrain Seizes Bomb-Making Equipment Aboard Bus From Iraq

Authorities found 140 detonators, 41 electrical circuits, a remote control device and some cellular telephones hidden inside electrical appliances on the bus.

Gulf Arabs Respond With Alarm To Kerry Comment On Assad Talks

The Saudis have in the past said a political transition in Syria cannot begin unless President Bashar al-Assad leaves power.

Saudi Prince Says Iran Deal Risks Nuclear Proliferation – BBC

Saudi Arabia sees Iran as its main regional rival and fears that an atomic deal would leave the door open to Tehran gaining a nuclear weapon.

Yemen Militia Leader Says Holding Indirect Talks With Saudi Arabia

It is the first known dialogue between the Shi’ite Muslim group and the neighbouring Sunni country since Houthis took over last year.

After Saudi Feud, Sweden Debates A “Feminist” Global Role

Sweden cancelled a defence cooperation accord with Saudi Arabia last week over rights concerns.

Egypt Sacks 41 Judges For Supporting The Brotherhood – Sources

Egyptian law prohibits judges from engaging in politics but critics say the authorities turn a blind eye to those judges supporting the current leader.

U.S. Embassy In Saudi Arabia On Heightened Security

The embassy had warned last week that Western oil workers in Saudi Arabia may be the target of militant attacks in the coming days.

U.S. Warns Of Possible Attacks On Western Oil Workers In Saudi Arabia

The message from the US did not identify the militants or the group they belong to.

Goaded By Governments, Gulf Firms Prepare For Egypt Push

The international investment summit in Egypt is expected to see domestic and foreign investments worth up to $12 billion.

Saudi Twitter Whistleblower Returns After Account Suspension

The mysterious twitter user, who uses the handle @Mujtahidd, said he wants to expose corruption, injustice and hypocrisy.

Yemen’s Houthis In Military Exercises Near Saudi Border-Tribal Sources

The drill in al-Buqa area, which lies in the Houthis’ home province of Saada, involves using different kinds of weaponry, the sources said.

Saudi Arabia Recalls Ambassador From Sweden In Diplomatic Row

Saudi Arabia said that the move was prompted by remarks by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom about the Kingdom’s regard for human rights.

Saudi Replaces Housing Minister After King Vows To Address Shortage

Shuwaish al-Duwaihi has been replaced by Essam bin Saeed as minister of state and member of the cabinet.

ISIL Says Australian Teenager Carries Out Suicide Attack In Iraq

The Australian government said it is verifying whether 18-year-old Melbourne teenager Jake Bilardi has been killed.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Dismisses Saudi Worries About Iranian Control

Saudi Arabia, the main regional rival of Shi’ite Iran, fears Tehran’s growing influence in Iraq, whose government is Shi’ite-led.

Houthi Leader Accuses Gulf States Of Backing Al Qaeda In Yemen

Abdel-Malek al-Houthi accused Gulf states of providing arms and funds to Al Qaeda in Yemen, helping them to flourish in the country.

Qatar Says To Begin Rebuilding 1,000 Homes In Gaza

Qatar had previously said that it would provide $1 billion in reconstruction assistance for Gaza.

Inmates Injured In Clashes At Bahrain Prison -Rights Group

The rights group said that the disturbance at the prison was sparked by an assault by security guards on family members trying to visit relatives held at the remote facility.

King Salman Pledges To Maintain Stability, Create Jobs

In his first major public speech, the king vowed to create more private sector jobs and deal with all security challenges.

Jordan’s King Abdullah Urges EU To Fight “Islamophobia”

The king said that European governments must promote “mutual respect” and an “inclusive society”.

Sidelined In Tikrit, U.S. Says War On ISIL Will Be Won

Washington has been training and equipping the Iraqi army to fight back the ISIL militants.

France Wants UN Security Council Meeting On Minorities In Middle East

Laurent Fabius said that he would chair the meeting which would discuss the problems of Christians and other minorities in the region.

Show Us Proof: UAE Minister Hits Back In Airlines Subsidy Row

Sultan bin Saeed al-Mansouri said that the word subsidy is often misused and warned that it should not be used without sufficient proof.

Saudis Block Swedish Minister’s Speech At Arab League

The move comes after Sweden’s foreign minister criticised Saudi Arabia’s decision to punish blogger Raif Badawi.