International talks with Iran over its nuclear programme should also cover other weapons, the Gulf Co-operation Council's secretary general said on Wednesday.
"Any future negotiations with Iran must include ballistic missiles and the nuclear file," said Dr Nayef Al Hajraf during a foreign ministers' summit in Riyadh.
The council condemned the use of civilians as shields by Iran-backed Houthi militias in the conflict in Yemen's Marib province.
It also criticised the Houthis over a fire that broke out at a migrant detention centre they control in Sanaa, leading to the deaths of dozens of people, most of them from Africa.
"Iran continues to support the Houthi militia and destabilise the region," Dr Al Hajraf said.
He said the GCC was committed to Saudi Arabia's stability and supported measures the kingdom was taking to preserve its security.
"The continued terrorist activities by Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia represent serious threats – both regionally and internationally," the GCC secretary general said, highlighting the threats posed to international shipping routes and regional maritime security.
On Iraq, the GCC commended Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi's efforts to bolster security, and his swift response to terrorist activities that threaten the country's stability as it heads for elections, Dr Al Hajraf said.
Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Latif Al Zayani also spoke about the Gulf countries’ support for Saudi Arabia.
"The GCC stands united with Saudi Arabia in the face of the ongoing threats it faces," he said.
The declaration signed by the Gulf countries in Al Ula in January highlighted the need to maintain a united front, to ensure regional security and provide the necessary support to Yemen, Mr Al Zayani said.
The GCC also congratulated Libya on its new government of unity led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and interim President Mohamed Menfi.
Hopes were high that Libya would fulfil its plans to achieve long-term stability within its borders, officials said.
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
