Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Global attention is now focused on finding a lasting solution to the war in Gaza, said Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, on the sidelines of its Riyadh summit this week.
Resolving the conflict can no longer be considered only a Palestinian issue, but is a global concern, Mr Brende said, as it "has the potential of escalating conflicts so much in the region".
The continuing crisis in Gaza featured heavily at the WEF's Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development 2024, which was held in Riyadh on Sunday and Monday.
The forum's first meeting in Saudi Arabia was attended by global leaders and diplomats including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who used the summit to bring renewed focus on Gaza.
Mr Brende hosted a panel with Mr Blinken to discuss the path to a ceasefire.
Speaking to The National afterwards, he said that Mr Blinken is "under pressure" from growing protests at US universities calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and widening polarisation over the issue.
Mr Blinken said the latest ceasefire proposals, which are being indirectly negotiated between Israel and Hamas, were an "extraordinarily generous" offer for Hamas.
Mr Brende said Mr Blinken has put a lot of pressure on Hamas to accept the deal on the table, which has received support from Qatar and others as a way to a long-term resolution.
“My feeling is that there is a strong wish now, including from Arab countries,” he added.
While the administration of US President Joe Biden has also pressured Israel to accept a ceasefire, it has come under criticism for continuing to supply arms and support for Israel's war in Gaza.
That is despite more than 34,500 Palestinians being killed in the enclave, according to local health authorities.
A continuing concern is who will commit to rebuilding Gaza, which has been devastated by more than six months of war.
Mr Brende said that acute humanitarian support must get into Gaza much faster, but at the same time, the early recovery and reconstruction will need a political path before seeing any action.
“After the last Gaza war it was rebuilt but I think this time there will be big reluctance to do so,” he said.
Mr Brende also discussed the regional implications of the war.
He said that the fear of the conflict escalating across the region had helped focus on the need for a solution.
Israel and Iran came close to all-out war this month, after Israel killed senior Iranian commanders in an attack on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus.
Less than two weeks later, Iran launched a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones in retaliation, bringing fears of a greater regional conflict.
“There is much more pressure now for a political path and the future two-state solution that I have seen, I would say, maybe in decades,” said Mr Brende, the former foreign, trade and industry, and environment minister of Norway.
A potential regional agreement between the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel was also discussed at the WEF.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that US-Saudi agreements were “very, very close” and “most of the work has already been done”.
Mr Brende said that many elements are involved in any agreement that would lead to Israel and Saudi Arabia normalising relations, particularly after October 7.
But he said that if a realistic path towards a two-state solution was agreed to, the two countries normalising relations is definitely more likely.
He said the war in Gaza has influenced how Arab leaders act in future.
“I think leaders today will be very particular about what can be done,” Mr Brende said.
The mood has also changed in Israel after the October attack from Hamas, he said.
“They’re very traumatised from what they saw in the atrocities,” Mr Brende said of Israel’s response in Gaza.
“I think the pressure on Israel in the years to come will increase. In the coming months, we will see if we are at an impasse or if it is possible to create a political path."
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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Superliminal%20
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Company%20Profile
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The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
