Saudi and France: Iran nuclear deal must avoid destabilising region



RIYADH // France and Saudi Arabia believe that any future deal between Iran and six major powers must ensure not to destabilise the region further and threaten Iran’s neighbours, the two countries said ahead of a GCC summit in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia invited French President Francois Hollande, whose country is deemed to have a tough stance in Iran nuclear negotiations, to Riyadh to discuss regional issues with GCC leaders who fear a rapprochement with Tehran could lead to further destabilisation in the region.

“France and Saudi Arabia confirmed the necessity to reach a robust, lasting, verifiable, undisputed and binding deal with Iran,” Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and France President Hollande said in a statement after meeting on Monday.

“This agreement must not destabilise the security and stability of the region nor threaten the security and stability of Iran’s neighbours,” the statement said.

Mr Hollande met the new Saudi King for an hour after dinner at his personal palace. The two leaders specifically discussed Iran’s role in Yemen and Syria, where they reiterated there was no future for Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.

Those talks will be widened to the GCC Summit on Tuesday.

“They have a real fear that when sanctions are lifted Iran will be able to finance all its proxies across the region,” said a senior French diplomat.

The visit to Riyadh, where Mr Hollande also met Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi on Monday, comes after a period where Paris has been able to nurture new links with the region following similar analysis to Gulf states on crises and a perceived disengagement from traditional ally the United States.

The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, changed his schedule at the last minute to travel to Riyadh on Wednesday as he looks to finalise plans for a summit at Camp David on May 13 between Gulf leaders and US President Barack Obama.

Officials in Washington say they are seeking the best deal with Iran and have cautioned that France’s position privately is not as tough as it is publicly.

France’s commercial success in the region was highlighted on Monday when Mr Hollande signed a €6.3 billion (Dh25.7bn) deal in Doha to sell French-made Rafale fighter jets.

* Reuters

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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)

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Types of policy

Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.

Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.

Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.

Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.

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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
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Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

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Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

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Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

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