Obama-Saudi King Talks May Ease Friction But No Breakthrough Seen

Friday’s two-hour exchange in the Kingdom did not yield a shared statement or any evidence of policy changes.

Obama, Saudi King Discuss Syrian Rebels, Iran, Gulf Security

US President Barack Obama made the remarks during an official visit to the Kingdom.

Saudi Prince Muqrin Named Second-In-Line To Succeed King

Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, a former intelligence chief in the Kingdom, has been appointed deputy crown prince.

Arab League Summit In Kuwait Merely Papers Over Rifts

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have accused Qatar of disregarding an accord not to interfere in fellow Arab states’ internal affairs.

Egypt’s Sisi To Run For President, Vows To Tackle Militancy

Sisi toppled Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last July after mass protests against his rule and has emerged as an influential figure.

Arab States Pledge To Work To End Rifts

Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Qatar three weeks ago, accusing it of interfering in fellow Arab states’ internal affairs.

Qatar Dismisses Iraqi Charges That Doha Funds “Terrorism”

The comments by Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, were the first official Qatari reaction after Iraq accused Doha and Riyadh of funding insurgency.

Obama Aims To Soothe Saudi Fears With Riyadh Visit

Washington’s preliminary nuclear deal with Iran last year caused tensions between the US and Saudi.

GCC Rift Looms Large Ahead Of Arab League Summit

Iran and Syria are the main issues for discussion at the summit, scheduled to take place in Kuwait on March 25-26.

Bomb Blast In Bahrain’s Sitra Village Injures Policeman

It was not immediately clear who planted the bomb or the extent of the damage.

U.S. Drops Bid To Arrange Obama Summit With Divided Gulf States

The U.S. has abandoned efforts to arrange a summit with Gulf Arab leaders due to divisions with the group of its regional allies, officials said.

Saudi Arabia Sentences 13 For Backing Militants

The 13 sentenced to between three and 14 years in prison were nine Saudi citizens, two Jordanians, an Egyptian and a Syrian.

Saudi Says Spat With Qatar Won’t Be Solved Unless Doha Changes Policy

Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Qatar on March 5, citing policy differences.

Saudi To Reportedly Shut Down Al Jazeera Office Over Qatar Spat

The move follows the withdrawal of the Saudi, UAE and Bahraini ambassadors from Doha last week over foreign policy disagreements.

Iraqi PM Maliki Says Saudi, Qatar Openly Funding Violence In Anbar

He also blamed both countries for launching Syria’s three-year civil war through al Qaeda-linked groups.

Dubai’s Ruler Unveils Strategy For ‘Smart City’ Initiative

The strategy includes 100 initiatives in transport, communications, infrastructure, electricity and urban planning.

Bahrain Says Two Children Injured As Bomb Explodes

The two children, aged 10 and 11, had been instructed by “terrorists” to plant a bomb in Daih, a ministry statement said.

All EU Citizens To Get UAE Visa On Arrival From March 22

The UAE has passed a new ruling exempting citizens from 13 European member states from requiring a pre-entry visa.

Saudi, UAE, Bahrain Withdraw Envoys From Qatar In Security Row

They accused Doha of not implementing an agreement among GCC countries not to interfere in each others’ internal affairs.

UAE Officer Among Three Policemen Killed In Bahrain Blast

A bomb detonated during a protest in a village west of the capital Manama.

Egypt’s Ousted Mursi Says Jail-Break Trial Is “Void”

Mursi and his Brotherhood comrades are charged with breaking out of jail during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak.

London’s Lord Mayor Concerned Over Lack Of Women In Top Jobs In The GCC

Ambassador for the UK’s financial sector wants to see more women at senior management and board level.

Saudi Arabia Jails Seven Men For Demonstrating

The men had been also convicted of chanting slogans against the Kingdom.

Iran And US Agree Final Nuclear Deal May Be Unreachable

As part of an interim agreement, Tehran curbed some nuclear activities for six months in return for limited sanctions relief.

Egypt’s Deposed President Mursi On Trial On Terrorism Charges

Mursi is on trial in three cases and charged in two others.

Moving World Cup From Qatar Counter-Productive, Says Zwanziger

Qatar has been under fire for its treatment of migrant workers in the construction industry.

EU Approves Amendment To Exempt UAE Citizens From Schengen Visa

UAE officials say procedures for exemption are almost complete.

Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Launches New 2021 Initiative

Under the new initiative, the government will “compete with the private sector” in terms of the caliber of service it provides.

Kuwait Seeks Saudi-Style Law Against Fighting Abroad

Estimations suggest some 1,200 Saudis have joined Islamist militants involved in Syria’s civil war.

Kuwaiti Lawmakers To Investigate Airbus, Power Project Deals

Lawmakers want to investigate all deals agreed by Kuwait Airways, which is attempting the biggest overhaul of its fleet since 1990.