News / News Bulletin

Persian Gulf Arab states concerned over US anti-Saudi bill

Monday, 12 September 2016 9:35 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 12 September 2016 9:49 PM ]

Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. ©AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The Syrian army has announced a 7-day freeze on operations during a nationwide ceasefire which just came into effect in Syria. The truce, brokered by Russia and the US, aims to ensure humanitarian access to besieged areas. Some militant groups have yet to agree to the truce.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his government is determined to recover all areas from terrorist groups. Assad was touring a Damascus suburb which was evacuated by foreign-backed militants last month. Assad’s pledge comes before the implementation of the nationwide ceasefire.
At least 22 people have been killed in a fresh round of Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. Saudi warplanes targeted the provinces of Sa’ada and Ta’izz amid Eid al-Adha celebrations. Over 9,600 people have lost their lives in the Saudi war against Yemen since last March.
The Persian Gulf Arab states have condemned a US Congress bill that allows the relatives of the victims of 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for damages. President Barack Obama has pledged to veto the legislation, which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Iranian president says Middle Eastern problems should be resolved by regional nations through political dialog. Hassan Rouhani made the remarks in a phone conversation with the Qatari emir. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani echoed Rouhani’s comments stressing that foreign powers should not be involved in settling regional issues.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation confirms that forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar have captured 2 key oil ports from the UN-backed unity government. The ports are located in the eastern so-called oil crescent. Libya has been plagued by instability since the toppling of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The EU members have agreed to slash funding to the bloc’s east European countries. The move is meant to increase spending in order to manage refugee flows and spur economic growth. Europe has been grappling with an influx of refugees, with 1.3 million asylum seekers reaching the continent in 2015 alone.
US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton faces questions regarding her health after being diagnosed with pneumonia and nearly collapsing at a 9/11 commemoration event. Republican rival Donald Trump said the health of candidates is an important issue adding that he would release the details about his own health soon.