Category: Local

Indian government on Monday summoned Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to protest against slogans supporting Sikh separatist movement ‘Khalistan’ at a public event in Toronto attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and attended by other leaders.

“The government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event.

This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence,” it said.

The ministry also stated that such continued expressions impact India-Canada relations and encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada that will af
fect its own citizens.

India Canada relations have deteriorated due to the alleged support to the Sikh separatist movement that calls for the establishment of a separate state for the Sikhs in Punjab.

Both the countries have exchanged allegations of interference in the internal affairs and carrying out activities detrimental to the interest of the other.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Araji, received in his office today, Monday, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, MP Atwan Al-Atwani.

During the meeting, according to a statement by the Chancellery, they discussed ways to enhance coordination and cooperation between the National Security Chancellery and the House of Representatives on common issues and files, in addition to the role of the House of Representatives in supporting state institutions to accomplish their tasks in accordance with what was included in the government program.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The six-party Arab ministerial meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed the situation in Gaza on Monday, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The meeting was chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and in the presence of the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Jordan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi, Egypt Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shukri, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Minister of Civil Affairs, Hussein Al-Sheikh.

The meeting stressed the importance of reaching an immediate ceasefire and ending the war in a way that guarantees the protection of civilians by international humanitarian law, in addition to discussing mechanisms for lifting all restrictions that impede the entry of humanitarian aid into all areas of the strip.

It also tou
ched on the efforts made by the Arab Six Nations in support of the issue of international recognition of the Palestinian state to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people in embodying their independent and sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be visiting France on a state visit next week to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and discuss current international crises, the Elysee announced on Monday.

According to news report by BFM News Station, citing the Elysee, French President, Emmanuel Macron, will receive his Chinese counterpart on 6 and 7 of May. Their meeting will be the first since the pandemic started.

The leaders will discuss the Ukraine war and the Middle East situation. Additionally, they will explore matters of mutual interest such as trade, scientific collaboration, cultural exchanges, and sports cooperation. Furthermore, they will address joint actions to tackle global challenges, particularly focusing on the climate emergency.

The two parties will also discuss the protection of biodiversity and the financial situation of the most vulnerable countries.

The state visit to France follows Macron’s three-day visit to Beijing and Canton in April of last year, aimed at revitalizing all aspects o
f French-Chinese relations amidst escalating international tensions and crises. It underscores the necessity of providing a clear direction to this strategic partnership in these challenging times.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, President of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, met with Rashid Al-Azzawi, Secretary-General of the Iraqi Islamic Party, and his deputy, Ammar Youssef, and they discussed, in the presence of Salah al-Din Provincial Council member Ammar al-Baldawi, developments in the Iraqi arena, and developments in the political movement in Salah al-Din.

In a statement, Sheikh Hamoudi stressed the importance of adopting a spirit of positive dialogue between the political components of Salah al-Din Governorate, and maintaining balances through participation in responsibilities, considering this the true guarantee of the governorate’s stability, through the sharing of roles and opportunities for cooperation to advance reality and serve its people.

For his part, Al-Azzawi considered the ongoing dialogues a state of positive awareness to give priority to the public interest, build understandings and crystallize visions that enhance the chances of completion and success of the government’s program.

Sou
rce: National Iraqi News Agency

Scotland’s Prime Minister Hamza Yousef resigned on Monday after a week of chaos triggered by his scrapping of a coalition agreement with Scotland’s Greens.

In a press conference, Yousef said that he would also resign from the presidency of the ruling Scottish National Party, adding that the party must find a successor to him in the presidency and lead the local government.

Last week, Yousef’s coalition government fell apart unexpectedly when he tore up a coalition agreement with Green Party lawmakers following a spat over climate policy.

Yousef assumed his position to succeed former Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned from her position in March last year due to a scandal related to the management of party funds and donations.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

An Arab-Saudi coordination meeting was held in Riyadh on Monday, to support efforts to implement the two-state solution and recognize the State of Palestine.

In his opening speech, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting, which was held at the invitation of Saudi Arabia and Norway, said that the recent discoveries of mass graves in Nasser Medical City are horrific and unbelievable, and that they reflect disregard to the simplest humanitarian standards and lack of punishment.

Bin Farhan warned of the possible invasion of the Palestinian city of Rafah, saying, “it will inevitably lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, dire consequences for the Palestinians and neighboring countries, and serious repercussions for all parties.” The Saudi Foreign Minister renewed his commitment to the comprehensive approach to establishing a final solution to the conflict in the region, adding “we see that recognition of the Palestinian state is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people t
o self-determination and is an urgent step that puts us on a reliable and irreversible path in implementing the two-state solution.” He praised the European countries that expressed their intention to recognize the State of Palestine, explaining that this is an important step in the correct path towards the establishment of the Palestinian state and commitment to a path that leads to security and stability to all countries of the region.

The meeting was co-chaired by Prince Faisal bin Farhan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, Espen Barth Eide.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji received, in his office today, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Arshad Al-Salhi, and a number of members of the committee.

The meeting discussed, according to the National Security Advisory, the humanitarian file and the emphasis on supporting the direction of the legislative and executive authorities in consolidating the principles of human rights, in accordance with humanitarian standards that guarantee the protection of citizens and society.

The meeting also discussed the file of the displaced people and the government measures aimed at closing this file permanently, through the combined efforts of the relevant ministries and institutions, in a way that enhances societal peace and supports the government program in this humanitarian file.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Egypt President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi agreed, Monday, with Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Becirovic on the importance to subdue the current tensions in the region, and aim for lasting stability.

This came in a joint statement by Al-Sisi and Becirovic after having addressed several findings and developments regarding regional and global shared issues, said Egypt Presidential Spokesperson, Councilor Ahmad Fahmy.

Al-Sisi confirmed the importance of global efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, underscoring the need of humanitarian and relief to enter all areas afflicted.

On the issue of Gaza and occupied Palestine, Al-Sisi added that “a political, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue” must be reached, and “such settlement shall be based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.” For the time being, Al-Sisi discussed the “shared desire to cultiv
ate closer bilateral relations” with Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he confirmed their “commitment to strengthening and further advancing all forms of cooperation between the two countries.” The meeting also “tackled efforts to bolster economic, trade and investment relations,” underlining the “joint interest to harness and develop the existing mechanisms of cooperation, including the activation of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation to increase trade between the two countries,” added Al-Sisi.

On his part, President Becirovic shared similar sentiments, stating that Egypt had been a supportive ally since the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina echoed the support by given by Egypt, reaffirming Egypt’s status as a stable, sovereign country. Becirovic mentioned that had extended an invitation toward President Al-Sisi to visit the capital Sarajevo, becoming the first Egyptian President to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 21st century. Becirovic reite
rated Al-Sisi’s statement on enriching the bilateral relations the two nations share through trade, economy, and defense.

Peace in Gaza, however, is the utmost important issue, added Becirovic, saying that Bosnia and Herzegovina supports a two-state solution with the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state next to the Israeli occupation.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Muslim World League (MWL) expressed its deep concern over the escalation of military tensions in the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in Sudan, reiterating its support for Sudan and its people.

In a statement, the League called on all parties involved to work for a serious and effective dialogue, and to commit to the outcomes of the Jeddah talks to reach a comprehensive political solution that preserves the unity of Sudan and achieves the aspirations of its people for peace and stability.

The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been waging a war since mid-April last year that left about 13,900 people dead and about 8.5 million displaced and refugees, according to data from the United Nations.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Head of the Azm Alliance, Engineer Muthanna Al-Samarrai, received Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and his accompanying delegation, today, Sunday, at his headquarters in Baghdad.

The Alliance statement stated that during the meeting, many important issues related to the current situation in Iraq were discussed, and the importance of moving forward with the process of electing a new speaker for the House of Representatives, as an important and fundamental step towards enhancing political stability, and the necessity of making joint efforts to ensure the implementation of this process in a transparent and democratic manner that reflects the will of the Iraqi people.

They also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government, and maintaining coordination in order to resolve the outstanding files, and the necessity of supporting the efforts of the Iraqi government in its steps to implement the go
vernment program and the terms of the political agreement .

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The State of Qatar condemned, on Sunday, the attack on ‘Kormor’ gas field in the Kurdistan region.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement, ‘Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted the ‘Kormor’ gas field in Iraqi Kurdistan, which claimed the lives of two Yemenis and wounded two people,’ reiterating ‘Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives and reasons.’ Emphasizing its full solidarity with the Republic of Iraq in all measures it takes to preserve its security and stability.

The Ministry expressed “the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Yemen, and its wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency