Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Leaders of Gulf Co-operation Council states and Egypt and Jordan met in Riyadh on Friday for informal talks that were expected to include discussions on a regional plan for post-war reconstruction in Gaza.
The meeting, convened by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, was also present.
Sheikh Mohamed said the meeting was ''part of efforts to further strengthen co-ordination and consultation between our countries'' and thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting it.
There was no statement issued following the talks, which served as a precursor to an emergency Arab League summit scheduled for March 4 in Cairo. Saudi Arabia said the meeting would be unofficial and held within “the framework of the close brotherly relations that bring together the leaders”, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.
Sources briefed on preparations for the gathering told The National that the leaders would discuss a plan for Gaza's reconstruction drafted by Egyptian experts as an alternative to President Donald Trump's proposal that the US redevelop the Palestinian enclave as an international beach resort after resettling its inhabitants elsewhere.
The US President's plan has sparked regional condemnation and united Arab states in opposition, but disagreements remain over who should govern the war-ravaged Palestinian territory and how to fund its reconstruction.
The sources added that the Egyptian plan outlines the establishment of “safe zones” for Gaza’s residents, providing temporary housing in tents and caravans as they await the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure devastated by a 15-month Israeli military offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The plan will be implemented over three to five years and will initially restore essential services such as health care and clean water, and revive the enclave's agricultural sector, they said. The reconstruction workforce would primarily be drawn from Gaza's residents.
Gaza is largely in ruins and the reconstruction of the Strip and the occupied West Bank will require at least $53 billion over the next 10 years, according to the latest Damage and Needs Assessment from the UN and partners.
A US State Department spokesman said on Thursday that Mr Trump had been expressing his view of “what the future for Gaza should be – not the same tired ideas of the past but something that’s bold and something that frankly took courage and vision in order to outline”.
“What cannot continue is the same cycle where we will repeat over and over again and wind up in the exact same place,” the spokesman said. “Related to that, the President has been very clear: Hamas cannot continue as a governing or militant force.”
Video - Middle East at a crossroads: Peace or Conflict?
Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, said Mr Trump had “thrown down the gauntlet” with his “completely radical idea”.
“It's an effort to force the Arabs to try to come to a solution to this, to the Palestinian problem, that isn't just about … let's take irrevocable steps towards a Palestinian state, which is very vague,” Mr Haykel said. “They want a concrete Arab proposal for how to deal with Hamas … and how to rebuild Gaza and how to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
With reporting from Willy Lowry in Washington
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
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Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
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Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
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Results:
5pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600 metres
Winner: Dasan Da, Saeed Al Mazrooei (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Saabah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Mukaram, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
Winner: MH Tawag, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) | Dh70,000 | 1,400m
Winner: RB Inferno, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Juthoor, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
