Hello from The National in Abu Dhabi. Here is your morning newsletter with all the top stories from the Mena region.
Uncertain future
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that the future for Palestinians is “extremely uncertain”, in terms of whether the ceasefire in Gaza will hold and what the enclave’s reconstruction and future administration will look like.
Speaking to The National's Editor-in- Chief Mina Al-Oraibi at the Munich Security Conference, Philippe Lazzarini said that the future of a Palestinian state itself is at risk.
Full interview here.
Meanwhile, Israeli military checkpoints have blocked the entry of mobile homes and heavy equipment into the Gaza Strip from Egypt, defying its commitments under the ceasefire deal with Hamas.
At the start of a regional tour in Jerusalem, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the Hamas militant group in control of Gaza "must be eliminated" and cannot be allowed to continue as either a government or military force.
Syrian reassurances
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani offered reassurances on the international stage that the new leadership will offer an inclusive future to the country's people while spurning the fate of emerging states that have been drawn into a cycle of conflict with their neighbours.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference for the first time, Mr Al Shibani said the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham-led offensive against Bashar Al Assad's regime had turned the corner on dictatorship and would put in place a system that reflects the interests of the people that is “Syrian-led and Syria-owned”.
In the north-west governorate of Idlib, a US aerial strike has killed a militant figure linked to Al Qaeda, as Syria's new government seeks to improve the country's ties with Washington.
UN and Yemen
The UN will not halt its operation in Yemen after the death of a UN worker in a Houthi prison last week, the UN Resident Co-ordinator to the country announced.
The UN suspended work in the Houthi-held area of Saada after dozens of its workers were detained by the Iran-backed group. One of these men, named Ahmed, died in custody but the reason for his death is unknown.
“We are not suspending our operations in Yemen,” said UN Resident Co-ordinator to Yemen Julien Harneis told a press conference in Amman.
UAE and Russia ties
President Sheikh Mohamed held high-level talks in Abu Dhabi with Denis Manturov, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Manturov reviewed efforts to bolster the growing ties between the UAE and Russia as part of the strategic partnership in place between the nations.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy in UAE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the UAE on Sunday where he was welcomed for talks by Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation.
Mr Zelenskyy said the visit to the Emirates was centred on "bringing even more of our people home from captivity".
The UAE has offered key support to Ukraine and its people during the conflict with Russia, which is approaching its third anniversary, and this month mediated the exchange of 300 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners.
 |
PLUS …
Raghida Dergham explores how Arab leaders can trump America's Gaza plan.
Gaza-based artist shares inspiration behind viral paintings.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Mudhafar Al-Jbori, Iraq's ambassador to the UAE, asks if we can rely on international law during global conflict.
Mohamad Ali Harisi
Foreign Editor
FRONT PAGE
