GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Lebanese move to direct the army and security forces to enforce state authority and restrict weapons to official institutions marked a “significant step” toward strengthening sovereignty and stability. The decision aims to consolidate control in the capital and limit arms possession to legitimate state forces.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, stating that the measure could help enhance stability and safeguard citizens.

Separately, India’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of civilian casualties following heavy Israeli bombardment earlier this week, which killed more than 300 people according to reports.

New Delhi stressed that protecting civilians must remain a priority and called for adherence to international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The escalation comes amid ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, which has drawn in broader regional tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran.

Israeli operations in Lebanon have added strain to a fragile two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with both sides preparing for negotiations in Islamabad aimed at easing tensions.

Speaking at the Egypt Energy Show 2026 in Cairo, Sisi said only Trump had the capacity to end the conflict in the Gulf region, appealing directly for U.S. leadership to prevent further escalation.

“I tell President Trump: nobody can stop the war in our region in the Gulf but you,” Sisi said. “Please help us stop the war. You are capable of doing so.”

Sisi warned that continued targeting of oil production facilities and refineries could trigger simultaneous supply disruptions and price surges, with consequences yet to be fully realised.

He said concerns among market observers that oil could exceed $200 a barrel were credible.“I fear that targeting energy facilities, whether production or refineries, will have very serious repercussions for the global economy and fuel prices,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint that previously handled about a fifth of global oil flows, has been disrupted amid the conflict, raising concerns over sustained supply constraints.

Beyond energy markets, Sisi highlighted risks to global food security, citing potential disruptions to fertiliser exports that could drive up agricultural costs and strain supply chains.

“Wealthy countries might be able to absorb this, but for middle-income and fragile economies, it could have a very, very severe impact on their stability,” he said.

Egypt, a longstanding recipient of U.S. military aid and Gulf financial support, has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states while advocating diplomatic efforts to avoid a broader regional war.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said Iranian actions, including attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, constituted a violation of international law and a direct threat to global energy security.

Addressing the conference virtually, he urged the international community to safeguard maritime corridors, as GCC member states Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain face ongoing drone and missile attacks.

Sisi also referenced Trump’s role in ending the Gaza war, noting that the U.S. president had been instrumental in securing a ceasefire agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh in November.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the targeting of Saudi sovereignty, civilian infrastructure, diplomatic missions and economic interests constituted a breach of international norms. It added that the actions violated the Beijing Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), as well as principles governing state sovereignty and good neighborly relations.

Saudi authorities notified the Iranian embassy that its military attaché, assistant military attaché and three additional staff members had been declared persona non grata and must leave the Kingdom within 24 hours, according to the statement.

The ministry reiterated a previous warning issued on March 9 that continued attacks would represent further escalation and have a “profound impact” on bilateral relations. It also restated the Kingdom’s “categorical condemnation” of Iranian actions against Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states and other Arab and Islamic countries.

Saudi Arabia said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty, invoking its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. The statement framed the expulsions as part of a broader response to what it described as repeated violations affecting civilian and strategic targets.

The ministry did not provide additional operational details on the alleged attacks but linked them to a pattern of actions undermining regional stability and diplomatic commitments.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia warning that continued escalation could have serious consequences for regional relations. The reference to the Beijing Agreement underscores the strain on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing ties between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia’s statement did not indicate any immediate diplomatic follow-up beyond the expulsions but emphasized that further actions would depend on developments on the ground.

Michael Arizanti

What impresses me most about this merger is how it’s unlocked $500 million in annual operational synergies.

I’ve been watching global economic shifts closely, and I’m convinced we in the West need to pay more attention to what’s happening in the GCC, particularly the UAE. Under Sultan Al Jaber’s leadership, the UAE isn’t just participating in the global market- they’re fundamentally changing it.

A Bold Strategic Transformation

What ADNOC and OMV just accomplished with the Burouge International Group creation blew me away. This $60 billion merger of Borealis and Nova isn’t just another corporate consolidation- it’s a masterful strategic move that happened practically overnight. As someone who follows industry developments, I was struck by how swiftly this positioned the UAE as the driving force behind what’s now the world’s fourth-largest petrochemical company.

Redefining Global Leadership

What impresses me most about this merger is how it’s unlocked $500 million in annual operational synergies. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet- they represent stronger supply chains, enhanced innovation capacity, and secured market leadership. I firmly believe the UAE is setting itself up to become a dominant petrochemical force with advantages in scale, cost efficiency, and geographic reach that will be hard to match.

Why I Think the West Should Pay Attention

From my perspective, there are several compelling reasons we should look eastward:

First, the leadership I’ve observed under Sultan Al Jaber shows a remarkable ability to build strategic partnerships and embrace cutting-edge technology. This forward-thinking approach stands in stark contrast to what I often see in Western business strategies, which tend to be more reactive.

Second, creating a $60 billion powerhouse during uncertain economic times demonstrates extraordinary financial and operational savvy. This kind of economic resilience through diversification offers valuable lessons for Western economies.

Third, you can’t ignore the GCC’s strategic location. I’ve always considered their geographical position a major advantage for global trade. By engaging more with the UAE, Western nations could tap into networks perfectly positioned for future energy transitions.

Finally, I’ve watched traditional industry hierarchies being completely disrupted by these moves. Western businesses with their entrenched models risk being left behind if they don’t adapt to these new market dynamics coming from the GCC.

A Call for New Thinking

I believe these strategic developments in the UAE’s petrochemical sector offer more than just business insights — they provide a blueprint for the future. The transformation led by ADNOC, OMV, and visionaries like Al Jaber should prompt us to reconsider our priorities.

Rather than clinging to outdated approaches, I’m convinced Western economies would benefit tremendously from collaboration with the GCC, learning from their strategic insights and robust market approaches to drive global progress.

This isn’t just a shift in petrochemicals- it represents a complete reimagining of what leadership in the energy industry can look like. We have an opportunity to learn from this masterclass in strategic transformation- a powerful lesson in vision, resilience, and bold action.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

Tensions have been rising between Kuwait and Iraq after the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruled on an agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway between the two states as unconstitutional. The court said the law that ratified the accord should have been approved by two thirds of parliament.

The agreement, which governs maritime navigation in that waterway, was reached in 2012 and ratified by each of their legislative bodies in 2013.

The GCC-U.S. joint statement followed a meeting of the six-nation GCC’s foreign ministers, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi in New York.

“They called for the complete demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq maritime boundary …. and called on the government of Iraq to expeditiously resolve the domestic legal status of the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq agreement,” the joint statement said.

The joint statement also “called on Iraq and the UN to exert maximum efforts to reach a resolution of all the issues involved.”

The land border between the two was demarcated by the United Nations in 1993 after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, but it did not cover the length of their maritime boundaries, and this was left for the two oil producers to resolve.

In attendance were GCC Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi, as well as the foreign ministers of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani; the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abdullah bin Zayed; Kuwait, Salem Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Bahrain, Abdullatif Al-Zayani, and Oman, Badr Albusaidi.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the GCC foreign ministers to discuss various topics, including ways to further strengthen cooperation and coordination among member states. They also addressed the most recent Gulf, regional, and international developments, with a focus on promoting stability and peace in the region.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation with international organizations as a means to bolster international peace and security. The Gulf region plays a crucial role in global affairs, and collaboration with international entities is seen as vital for addressing shared challenges and advancing common interests.

The GCC, established in 1981, is a regional political and economic alliance composed of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The organization aims to foster closer ties among member states and promote cooperation in various fields, including defense, economy, trade, and culture.

The foreign ministers of the GCC countries regularly convene to discuss key issues affecting the region. These ministerial meetings, held every three months, serve as platforms to evaluate the progress made by ministerial committees established after the annual GCC summit. The committees’ work contributes to advancing shared goals and initiatives across different sectors.

Prince Faisal’s participation in the GCC foreign ministers coordination meeting reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity. As a leading member of the GCC, Saudi Arabia continues to actively engage with fellow member states to address regional challenges, promote stability, and contribute to the well-being of the Gulf region.

Albudaiwi made these remarks during a visit to the DCO’s headquarters in Riyadh, as reported by the Kuwait News Agency.

During his visit, the Secretary-General confirmed that the DCO and the GCC have reached an agreement to explore avenues for digital collaboration, particularly in the areas of youth and women’s affairs. This collaboration aims to harness the potential of digital technologies to empower and support the younger generation and enhance the role of women in the digital landscape.

The Saudi Digital Cooperation Organization was established to foster digital cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels. It aims to leverage digital technologies to drive economic growth, promote innovation, and enhance digital inclusion. The organization plays a crucial role in advancing the digital transformation agenda in Saudi Arabia and contributing to global digital initiatives.

Albudaiwi’s visit to the DCO’s headquarters signifies the GCC’s recognition of the organization’s pivotal role in promoting digital cooperation and sustainable development. By joining forces with the DCO, the GCC seeks to strengthen regional collaboration and maximize the potential of digital technologies to address common challenges and seize opportunities for growth.

The collaboration between the DCO and the GCC on youth and women’s affairs is particularly significant, as it underscores the importance of inclusivity and empowerment in the digital era. By leveraging digital platforms and initiatives, the organizations aim to create favorable conditions for the development and participation of the younger generation and women in the digital economy.

As digital technologies continue to transform societies and economies worldwide, fostering collaboration and cooperation in the digital realm becomes increasingly crucial. The DCO’s efforts, supported by the GCC, exemplify a commitment to harnessing the potential of digitalization for sustainable development and economic prosperity. The collaboration between these entities sets a positive precedent for regional and global cooperation in the digital sphere, with a focus on empowering youth and women to thrive in the digital age.

Japan aims to strengthen ties with oil-producing countries to ensure a stable energy supply from the Middle East, where the influence of the United States is declining while China’s influence is rising, Kyodo said.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will attend the meeting and may also visit Egypt and Jordan, Kyodo said.

No comment was immediately available from Japan’s foreign ministry.

The GCC is a union of six countries in the Gulf region: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Middle East in July when Japan and the GCC announced the resumption of talks on a free trade agreement.

The foreign ministers are expected to discuss a free trade deal and technical cooperation in next-generation energy sources, Kyodo said, adding that Iran’s nuclear programme may also be on the agenda.

Resource-poor Japan is trying to beef up its energy security, as it remains highly dependent on imports of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). It relies on the Middle East for more than 90% of its crude oil.

The GCC nations’ collaboration in the domains of health and preventive medical care will be strengthened as a result of the summit, which is being presided over by Oman’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti.

In order to effectively deal with various emergency health emergencies, meeting participants will talk about coordinating efforts in the health sector and address the problems with health security among GCC governments.

The most recent advancements in the region’s healthcare, especially those in Sudan, will also be discussed at the summit.