Biden Meeting With Saudi Crown Prince Is Pushed Back to July
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Monday, June 6, 2022!
President Joe Biden continues to indicate he'll go to Saudi Arabia and meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but not until July. The 9/11 families are urging him not to "go soft" on Saudi Arabia, but two delegations from the kingdom are due in Washington this month as relationships improve.
Syria warns against Turkey's plans to invade the country's north; Turkey is rebranding as "Turkiye," and Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran denounced remarks by a spokesperson for India's ruling political party against the Prophet Mohammad. Kuwait summoned a U.S. diplomat over a tweet from President Joe Biden using rainbow illustrations for Pride Month; a former U.S. ambassador charged with illegal lobbying for Qatar wants to know why a retired four-star general who worked with him isn't also charged, and Yemen's warring parties continue talks on ending a siege in Taiz province as a ceasefire is extended.
And news from Saudi Arabia, where the sovereign wealth fund is buying a big piece of a Jordanian banking group; from Iran, where the European Union fears chances for a nuclear agreement are shrinking, and from the United Arab Emirates, where France is seeking oil supplies, and More.
The prospective meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now expected in July. Earlier, there were reports that the U.S. leader would meet with MBS at the end of June when attending a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Now officials indicate Biden will make two separate trips, giving more time to plan a schedule and agenda. An in-person meeting with the Saudi prince would mark the first time Biden has engaged with him; so far, Biden has spoken directly only with Saudi King Salman.
CNN, Biden's meeting with Saudi crown prijce pushed back to July.
9/11 families are urging President Joe Biden not to "go soft" on Saudi Arabia in any meeting with the Saudi crown prince. In a letter signed by Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, the group said: "It is imperative that you prioritize accountability for 9/11 in any conversations between members of your administration and Saudi officials, up to and including your own with the crown prince or other members of the Saudi royal family."
Boston Herald, 9/11 families urge Biden not to go soft on Saudi Arabia over oil.
Two Saudi Arabian delegations will visit Washington this month as ties improve. Saudi Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi will lead a group to visit on June 15, and a second group led by Investment Minister Khaled Al-Falih is expected to arrive by the end of the month. The delegations are expected to include Saudi government officials and company executives and to discuss agreements on transportation, logistics, and renewable energy..
Reuters, Two Saudi delegations to visit U.S. as ties improve.
Syrian air defense systems should be used against Turkish planes in any invasion of the north, the commander of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said. The SDF leader, Mazloum Abdi, said his group is open to working with regular Syrian troops to fight off Turkey, but said there is no need for additional forces. "The essential thing that the Syrian army could do to defend Syrian territory would be to use air defense systems against Turkish planes," he said. Turkey has vowed a new offensive in northern Syrian areas controlled by the SDF, the Kurdish-led alliance spearheaded by the Kurdish People's Protection Units.
Reuters, Syria army should use air defenses against Turkish invasion, U.S.-backed SDF says.
Syria calls Turkish invasion threats a "flagrant violation of international law." The Syrian foreign ministry warned that any Turkish military offensive could lead to instability and derail an agreement for de-escalation zones. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged last week to start a military incursion against Kurdish militia groups and establish a 30-kilometer "safe zone" in northern Syria.
The National, Syria warns Turkey there will be no compromise on territorial integrity.
Turkey is rebranding as Turkiye. The United Nations agreed to recognize the change of names after a request from the Turkish government.
CNN, Turkey is rebranding as 'Turkiye,' changing name at the United Nations.
Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned the ambassadors of India to protest remarks against the Prophet Mohammad. The comments were made by a spokeswoman for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the right-wing ruling political party of India. BJP suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled one other person, and India's embassy in Qatar called the controversial remarks "the views of fringe elements."
PTI, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran summon Indian envoys over controversial remarks of BJP leader against Prophet.
Yemen's warring parties resumed talks on ending the Taiz siege as a nationwide ceasefire is extended. The United Nations mission to Yemen said the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels started their second round of discussions on Taiz in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The talks focus on reopening roads in Taiz and other provinces.
Associated Press, UN: Yemen's warring sides resume talks on ending Taiz siege.
The possibility of restoring the nuclear agreement with Iran is "shrinking," European Union leader Josep Borrell said. Borrell, the EU's policy chief, said "We can still do it, with an extra effort." Talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 agreement are currently stalled over key disagreements.
World Bulletin, Possibility of returning to Iran nuclear deal 'shrinking'; EU foreign policy chief.
The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction tower in Iran has risen to at least 38 people, and it was unclear how many more are unaccounted for. The building failure in Abadan, in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran, took place at the Metropol building two weeks ago, and rescue workers are still on the scene. Abadan's mayor resigned and authorities arrested 13 people as part of an investigation.
Associated Press, Death toll in Iran building collapse rises to at least 38.
Iran's supreme leader is blaming protests on "foreign enemies." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to protests over a deadly building collapse and blamed the United States for waging a "psychological war" against Iran.
Al Jazeera, Iran: Khamenei blames unrest on 'enemies' of the Islamic Republic.
Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that Iran confiscated oil from two Greek tankers. The oil was taken last month in helicopter-launched raids in the Gulf, and the Supreme Leader said the act was in retaliation for Greece's role in assisting U.S. seizure of crude oil from an Iranian-flagged tanker the same week. "They steal Iranian oil off the Greek coast," he said, and Iran responded and "seized the enemy's oil tanker."
Associated Press, Supreme Leader acknowledges Iran took oil from Greek tankers.
Saudi Arabia raised its oil prices for Asia by more than expected. July shipments will continue a streak of increases that started in February and changed only when Saudi Aramco reduced prices a month ago. The oil market has tightened as flows from Russia drop and as Asian countries such as China and Singapore are ending lockdowns.
Bloomberg, Saudis raise oil prices more than expected amid Asia rebound.
France is talking to the United Arab Emirates about oil supplies to replace Russian sources. France's finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said France also wants to accelerate investment in cleaner energy, such as speeding up offshore wind farms, to increase the country's independence.
Bloomberg, France is talking to the UAE about replacing Russian oil, diesel.
Oman and Iran agreed to develop gas pipelines and an oil field. The deal came after a recent visit to Oman by Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi. Oman's energy minister, Mohammed al-Rumhi, said the agreements related to two gas pipeline projects linking the two countries and to the Hengam oil field. A similar agreement was reached two decades ago to allow Iran to supply Oman with gas, but the project never materialized.
AFP, Oman and Iran ink deals on oil field, gas lines.
Kuwait summoned the United States top diplomat in the country, protesting a "rainbow" Twitter message from President Joe Biden for Pride Month. The tweet was festooned with rainbow flag illustrations, and Kuwait summoned the acting U.S. embassy charge d'affaires, James Holtsnider, and handed him a written objection. In Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "The United States stands with the LGBTQI+ community everywhere around the world."
Arab Times, Kuwait summons top US diplomat in 'rainbow' flap.
A former high-ranking U.S. diplomat questioned why he is facing criminal charges for illegally lobbying for Qatar while a retired four-star general is not. The dispute involving two Washington power players highlights the ambiguity of lobbying laws. Richard G. Olson, former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, is charged with improperly helping Qatar influence U.S. policy, and Olson asked why prosecutors aren't charging retired Marine Gen. John Allen, now head of the influential Brookings Institution think tank, who Olson said worked with him side by side on Qatar.
Associated Press, Former U.S. ambassador points finger in Qatar lobbying probe.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund said it will buy a 23.97% stake in Jordan's Capital Bank Group. The group is one of the largest banking units in the Middle East, and the deal will increase its equity to about $846 million. The Saudi state fund, the Public Investment Fund, will pay $185 million for the stake, buying 63 million new shares.
Reuters, Saudi PIF buys 23.97% stake in Jordan's Capital Bank Group.
Lebanon's newly-elected opposition lawmakers started work in as chaotic session of parliament. The new independent parliamentarians immediately found themselves swamped in the quagmire of Lebanese politics, as Nabhih Berri, head of the Amal movement and close ally of Hezbollah, was reelected speaker of parliament.
Al-Monitor, Lebanon's opposition lawmakers start work in chaotic first session.
Lebanon warned Israel against "aggressive action" in disputed waters after a ship arrived off Lebanon's coast to produce gas for Israel. The two countries both hope to develop offshore energy, and Israel claimed the field in question is within its exclusive economic zone.
Reuters, Lebanon warns against any Israeli 'aggression' in disputed waters.
Lebanon's central bank governor and his brother are suing the state over "grave mistakes" in an investigation of embezzled public funds. A document filed for Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and his brother, Raja Salameh, accused public prosecutor Jean Tannous of being biased and lacking authority to access bank information. Tannous has been investigating allegations of misconduct in gains of $300 million made by a company owned by Raja Salameh.
Reuters, Lebanon cenbank governor, brother sue state over 'mistakes' in embezzlement probe.
The speaker of Tunisia's dissolved parliament said the country is under a state of tyranny by President Kais Saied. Rached Ghannouchi, who is president of the Ennahda party, said "The end of tyranny is not far away," as Saied continues to push plans for a controversial referendum on replacing Tunisia's constitution.
Al Jazeera, Tunisia: Ennahda leader Ghannouchi decries state of 'tyranny.'
MORE: UAE president revives old traditions by visiting rulers of emirates, Khaleej Times... The Ukraine strain in the U.S.-UAE partnership, Lawfare... Egypt to nominate fossil hotspot to UNESCO's list, Al-Monitor... Antiquities repatriation committee convenes over probe into Louvre tracking of Egyptian artefacts, Ahram... Expert: Saudi Arabia oil dominance to last, Odessas American... Jordanian army says two pilots killed in a plane crash, Reuters.
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