Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
A delegation of ministers from Arab and Islamic countries urged the UK to play a “balanced role” in the Israel-Gaza conflict during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Wednesday.
The delegation was formed at the Islamic-Arab Summit in Riyadh to meet the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in efforts to end the Israel-Gaza war.
The committee of nine ministers and diplomats was led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. It welcomed the four-day humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas, according to a statement from the kingdom after the meeting.
After holding talks with Mr Cameron, the delegation said it was urging the international community to build on this to reach a “complete and sustainable ceasefire as soon as possible”.
It also addressed the need to revive the peace process in the hope of establishing a “sovereign, independent” Palestinian state in line with 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, and discussed the securing of safe passages for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed unwavering support for Israel's "right" to defend itself from Hamas, but stressed it must do so within international law. Lord Cameron reaffirmed the UK's support for a two-state solution after his surprise appointment last week and said he would work for a political solution to the crisis.
“The agreement reached last night is an important opportunity to get the hostages out and more aid into Gaza to help the Palestinian people," he said on Wednesday. “We discussed how to use this step forward to think about the future and how we can build a peaceful future which provides security for Israel but also peace and stability for the Palestinian people.”
The visiting committee called on the UK to “reject all forms of selectivity” by holding Israel accountable for its actions according to international law, and not to “overlook the ugly crimes” committed by “occupation forces and settler militias” in the Palestinian territories.
Upon leaving Westminster, the delegation went straight to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace.
This will conclude three days of intense diplomatic efforts, involving meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng earlier this week.
'Momentum for diplomacy'
The meeting with Lord Cameron is part of a “momentum for diplomacy” that experts speaking at foreign affairs think tank Chatham House see as driven by Arab states.
But it is fraught with challenges – not least because of Israel’s internal confusion over the future of Gaza. “When thinking of a diplomatic path forward, we do need to look at the appetite for that in Israel,” said Dr Elham Fakhro, associate fellow at Chatham House.
Though the Arab world’s message is “clear”, the challenges are varied and touch on existing normalisation agreements with Israel, experts on the panel said.
Foremost among these is Egypt, which has had “extremely solid” relations with Israel since the Camp David Accords, according to Mirette Mabrouk, senior fellow and founding director of the Egypt programme at the Middle East Institute. The 40-year agreement has been an “essential” security guarantor for Israel.
Yet the relationship has soured as the risk of Israel pushing Palestinians out of Gaza and into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula grows. Israeli officials have expressed intent to do so.
Egypt considers an influx of Palestinian refugees to be a security risk and a red line. Ignoring Egyptian concerns, US and European diplomats have urged Cairo to take in Palestinian refugees in exchange for debt relief from its economic crisis.
The move by western countries on behalf of Israel has threatened to “push Egypt beyond its limits", Ms Mabrouk said. “When a country that has had the worst economic crisis in 50 years is promised debt relief and consistently says no, you should pay attention,” she said.
Among the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia has “gone the furthest” in its willingness to put pressure on Israel, said Dr Fakhro.
Latest from Israel-Gaza conflict - in pictures
Understanding what Israel wants from the war is another obstacle in the path to peace, she said. “There are some unknowns. What is Israel trying to accomplish beyond its general goal of eliminating Hamas? What is Israel willing to do when there is a ceasefire eventually?” Dr Fakhro said.
An emboldened far right in Israel has called for the establishment of a wide buffer zone that would push Palestinians to southern Gaza. Talk of bringing the Palestinian Authority back to Gaza has been met with direct opposition from Israeli officials.
The US has opposed an Israel occupation of Gaza after the war. But Arab states will be reluctant to "clean up the mess" after an Israeli withdrawal.
Egypt or other Arab states' involvement in post-conflict Gaza could place them in the role of “occupier”.
“The agreement on this subject is fairly homogeneous and is the same as most of the Arab states,” Ms Mabrouk said of Egypt.
Nonetheless, ideas and proposals for how Arab states, the US and Israel can work together to contribute to peace and reconstruction are circulating in Washington, Dr Fakhro said.
“The hope is that yes, in the day after [the war], you have a momentum for diplomacy and there is a way forward,” she said.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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.
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.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
