Americas

Riyadh: US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he would lift all US sanctions on Syria. "I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump said during a speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, as part of his ongoing Gulf tour that also includes Qatar and the UAE. The surprise announcement was based on talks with HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the US president elaborated. He added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani in Turkiye later this week. In a related development, a White House official announced today that Trump will meet with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia as part of his Gulf tour.

Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan reaffirmed on Tuesday its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with India, which was reached after four days of intense fighting last week. However, Pakistan pledged to respond firmly to any future aggression from New Delhi. In a statement responding to remarks made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, Islamabad strongly rejects the provocative statements made by Modi on Monday, emphasizing that, while international efforts for peace and regional stability continue, these statements represent a serious escalation. The statement further stressed that Pakistan remains committed to the recent understanding on the ceasefire and is taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability, and reaffirmed that any future aggression will be met with full resolve. The Pakistani military previously announced the deaths of 40 civilians and 11 soldiers in this escalation, while India reported the deaths of at least five soldiers and 16 civilians in the four-day conflict, which was agreed to end on Saturday under USpressure. Read Also Pakistan reports 40 civilian, 11 troop deaths in recent clashes with India

Gulf

Riyadh: Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia HH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, discussed with US President Donald Trump the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the coordinated efforts to bolster the strategic partnership across multiple fields. During their co-chairing of the Saudi-US Summit at Al Yamamah Palace, both sides conferred on regional and global developments, matters of shared concern, and the concerted efforts being exerted thereon to uphold security and stability. The two sides signed the Strategic Economic Partnership Document between the two governments and presided over the exchange and announcement of a series of bilateral agreements and memoranda of collaboration. These included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the US Department of Energy on cooperation in the energy sector, as well as a Letter of Intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense concerning the modernization and advancement of Saudi Arabia's Armed Forces through future-oriented defense capabilities. In addition, they announced a package of agreements and MoUs, including a memorandum of collaboration in the field of mining and mineral resources between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the US Department of Energy. Additionally, a Letter of Intent was signed to advance implementation efforts and bolster collaboration across a range of critical domains, namely the development of ammunition requirements, training, sustainment services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts provision, and education for both land and air systems under the purview of the Saudi Ministry of the National Guard. Furthermore, they signed an MoU between the International Partnerships Program at the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the US Department of Justice, as well as a Letter of Intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense concerning the development of healthcare capabilities for the Saudi Armed Forces. An MoU on judicial cooperation was also signed between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice, alongside several other agreements. Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on a state visit as part of a three-nation tour that includes Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.