Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry summoned on Tuesday the Lebanese ambassador in Riyadh and handed him a memorandum of protesting against the Lebanese ambassador’s “shameful comments” toward the Kingdom, the official SPA reported.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe threatened to stoke new tensions in a television interview on Monday, when he appeared to blame the Gulf for the rise of ISIS in Iraq and neighboring Syria.“Those countries of love, friendship and fraternity, they brought us ISIS,” he told al-Hurra without naming them.Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation “of the disgraceful insults that [his] statements contained towards the Kingdom, its people and the brotherly Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,” SPA reported.The Kingdom’s foreign ministry reaffirmed that these statements are inconsistent with diplomatic norms and are inconsistent with the historical relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.“Given the repercussions that these disgraceful statements may have on the relations between the two brotherly countries, the Ministry summoned the Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to the Kingdom to express the Kingdom’s rejection and denunciation of the abuses issued by the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he was handed an official memorandum of protest in this regard,” the statement on SPA concluded.Lebanon’s president said on Tuesday the foreign minister’s critical comments about Gulf states did not reflect official policy, seeking to avoid a further strain on ties with countries that have been Lebanon’s allies and donors.With ReutersRead more: Lebanese president seeks to avert further strain on Gulf ties over minister’s comment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia summons Lebanese ambassador over FM’s ‘shameful comments’

The United Arab Emirates is offering a third dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for those who received their second dose at least six months ago, healthcare spokeswoman Dr. Farida al-Hosani said on Tuesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The booster shot is part of the country’s “proactive strategy to provide maximum protection,” al-Hosani said in a press conference.However, priority will be given to the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, she added.“Vaccines are approved for full use or emergency use according to the regulations and laws adopted in the country, after evaluating their safety and effectiveness,” according to the spokeswoman. “The relevant national committees are constantly aware of global updates regarding vaccine development, and they are evaluated periodically.”Nearly 74 percent of the total eligible group, individuals above the age of 16, have been vaccinated in the UAE, as of May 18. Meanwhile, a little over 80 percent of the elderly, those above 60 years of age, have been vaccinated.The UAE currently offers Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Sputnik-V vaccines for residents and nationals.Read more:UAE records four deaths, 1,270 new COVID-19 casesGaza father who lost entire family in Israeli air strike holds his only surviving sonUAE vaccinates over 73 pct of people over 16 years old against COVID-19
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE offers Sinopharm booster shot for ‘maximum protection’ against COVID-19

Despite Israel's relentless bombing of Hamas' leadership and tunnels, the Islamic resistance group claims the network will survive the assault.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas claims Israel cannot destroy tunnel network

Cairo, which is leading efforts to reach a cease-fire in the week-long conflict between Hamas and Israel, has pledged to help rebuild the battered Palestinian enclave.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt pledges 0 million for Gaza's reconstruction

The regional competition revolving around Bab al-Mandab and its coastal extension is affecting the course of the war in Yemen..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Yemen and the Curse of Geography: Bab al-Mandab Disputed by Great Power Rivalries

Rescuers found 33 survivors from Bangladesh clinging to oil platform in Mediterranean, says defence ministry..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: More than 50 feared drowned after migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

Morocco is also angry at Spain for providing medical care to the leader of a Western Saharan independence group.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Spain hit by massive wave of migrants from Morocco

Tunisia’s national carrier Tunisair resumed flights to Libya’s airports on Monday after a seven-year hiatus that was caused by deterioration in the security situation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tunisia’s national carrier resumes flights to Libya’s airports

GCC asks Lebanese FM to issue formal apology for ‘unacceptable offenses’ The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) secretary-general called on the Lebanese foreign minister to issue an official apology to the council’s member states “for the unacceptable offenses that came from him.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Secretary-General Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf said in a statement that he “rejects and denounces what was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Lebanese caretaker government, Charbel Wehbe, during a TV interview and the disgraceful insults against the Gulf Cooperation Council states and their peoples, as well as the insult against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”Wehbe appeared to blame Gulf nations for the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and neighboring Syria in a television interview on Monday.Read more:Saudi Arabia summons Lebanese ambassador over FM’s ‘shameful comments’Lebanese president seeks to avert further strain on Gulf ties over minister’s comment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: GCC asks Lebanese FM to issue formal apology for ‘unacceptable offenses’

Only one month out from Iran's presidential election, calls are growing for a boycott of the vote, widely seen as an undemocratic process with dim prospects of genuine change. 
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: As Iran's election campaign picks up, boycott gains momentum as well