The spat over Saudi Arabia's refusal to support a Moroccan bid for the hosting rights of the 2026 World Cup tells the tale of the rise of individual country nationalism at the expense of Arab solidarity, Saudi determination to safeguard its alliance with the United States at whatever cost, and creeping Saudi and UAE efforts to strongarm countries into supporting their 11-month old diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar.

In the latest round of the spat, Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of Saudi Arabia's General Sports Authority and a close associate of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, broke with the decades-old, often farcical, principle of Arab solidarity, by suggesting that the kingdom would support a US-led rather than a Moroccan bid for the 2026 World Cup.

Adopting a Saudi Arabia First approach, Mr. Al-Sheikh noted that the United States "is our biggest and strongest ally." He recalled that when the World Cup was played in 1994 in nine American cities, the US "was one of our favourites. The fans were numerous, and the Saudi team achieved good results."

In an earlier tweet, Mr&nbsp;Al-Sheikh, noting that none of the contenders for the 2026 bid had sought Saudi support, said that "if someone ever asks, we will look for Saudi Arabia’s interests first."

Mr&nbsp;Al-Sheikh's Saudi Arabia First stance reflected Prince Mohammed's efforts to emphasise Saudi nationalism as a compliment, if not replacement of religion as his regime’s legitimising ideology.

Applying the principle to soccer, takes on added significance given the fact that few other things parallel the depth of emotion that religion evokes in what is a soccer-crazy part of the world.

Underscoring the importance of soccer, Saudi businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in one of his first public acts after being released from three months of detention in Riyadh's Ritz Carlton hotel and in a demonstration of fealty to Prince Mohammed, donated in February $533,000 to Saudi soccer club Al-Hilal FC.

Prince Alwaleed, who was among the more recalcitrant of the hundreds of members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family, senior officials, and prominent businessmen detained last November in what amounted to a power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, said the donation was in response to a call by the government.

Mr. Al-Sheikh's apparent support for a joint US-Canadian-Mexican bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup followed a veiled threat by President Donald J. Trump, in violation of guidelines regarding the political influence of world soccer body FIFA, against nations that may oppose the US-led proposition.

Morocco is the US-led bid's only competitor. FIFA is scheduled to choose the 2026 host on June 13.

"The US&nbsp;has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?" Mr. Trump said on Twitter.

"We will be watching very closely, and any help they can give us in that bid we would appreciate," Mr. Trump added, implicitly linking support for the US-led bid to trade issues.

In his own tweets, Mr. Al-Sheikh made clear that Saudi support for the US-led bid was about more than preserving the kingdom's alliance with the United States.

He suggested that it was yet another indication of an attempt to strongarm countries into supporting the boycott of Qatar that has failed to garner international support and punish those who opposed it.

Morocco, despite close security, military and economic ties to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has refused to take sides in the Gulf conflict and has offered to mediate. As Qatar was scrambling last June to ensure food imports in the days that immediately followed the declaration of the boycott and the cutting of land, air and sea links, Morocco sent several planeloads of supplies to the Gulf state.

"Some people went astray. If you want to support, you should seek it in Riyadh. What you are doing is wasting your time. Now ask the pseudo-state to help you. A message from the Gulf to the Ocean," Mr. Al-Sheikh tweeted several weeks ago, referring to Qatar in derogatory terms and the fact that Morocco’s shores are on the Atlantic Ocean.

Adding insult to injury, Mr. Al-Sheikh posted his tweet at the very moment that his aide and namesake, Talal Al Sheikh, was meeting in the Moroccan capital of Rabat with the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekjaa.

The linking of Saudi Arabia’s position on the World Cup came on the heels of the kingdom’s efforts to force prominent, multi-national financial institutions to take sides in the Gulf dispute. The Saudi push persuaded JP Morgan and HSBC to refrain from participating last month in a $12 billion Qatari bond sale.

The Saudi-Moroccan spat is the latest incident in which the World Cup has become a battleground in the Gulf crisis.

In an indication of the importance, Gulf leaders attribute to Qatar’s ability to garner soft power with its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, Dubai security chief Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan suggested in October that the UAE-Saudi-led boycott would be lifted if the Gulf state surrendered its hosting rights.

That may have been an overstatement by the notoriously bombastic law enforcement official, but nonetheless reflected thinking about the political importance of sports in Qatar and among its detractors.

The Saudi-Moroccan spat goes, however, beyond the political significance of soccer in the Gulf. It symbolizes the end of a post-colonial era in the Middle East in which Arab states look out for their individual interests rather than perceive themselves as a true bloc in anything but name. That may be a healthy development, albeit one that promises even greater fracturing in an already deeply divided part of the world.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A Saudi Moroccan soccer spat speaks volumes about the depth of change in the Arab world

The spat over Saudi Arabia's refusal to support a Moroccan bid for the hosting rights of the 2026 World Cup tells the tale of the rise of individual country nationalism at the expense of Arab solidarity, Saudi determination to safeguard its alliance with the United States at whatever cost, and creeping Saudi and UAE efforts to strongarm countries into supporting their 11-month old diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar. In the latest round of the spat, Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of Saudi Arabia's General Sports Authority and a close associate of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, broke with the decades-old, often farcical, principle of Arab solidarity, by suggesting that the kingdom would support a US-led rather than a Moroccan bid for the 2026 World Cup. Adopting a Saudi Arabia First approach, Mr. Al-Sheikh noted that the United States "is our biggest and strongest ally." He recalled that when the World Cup was played in 1994 in nine American cities, the US "was one of our favourites. The fans were numerous, and the Saudi team achieved good results." In an earlier tweet, Mr Al-Sheikh, noting that none of the contenders for the 2026 bid had sought Saudi support, said that "if someone ever asks, we will look for Saudi Arabia’s interests first." Mr Al-Sheikh's Saudi Arabia First stance reflected Prince Mohammed's efforts to emphasise Saudi nationalism as a compliment, if not replacement of religion as his regime’s legitimising ideology. Applying the principle to soccer, takes on added significance given the fact that few other things parallel the depth of emotion that religion evokes in what is a soccer-crazy part of the world. Underscoring the importance of soccer, Saudi businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in one of his first public acts after being released from three months of detention in Riyadh's Ritz Carlton hotel and in a demonstration of fealty to Prince Mohammed, donated in February $533,000 to Saudi soccer club Al-Hilal FC. Prince Alwaleed, who was among the more recalcitrant of the hundreds of members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family, senior officials, and prominent businessmen detained last November in what amounted to a power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, said the donation was in response to a call by the government. Mr. Al-Sheikh's apparent support for a joint US-Canadian-Mexican bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup followed a veiled threat by President Donald J. Trump, in violation of guidelines regarding the political influence of world soccer body FIFA, against nations that may oppose the US-led proposition. Morocco is the US-led bid's only competitor. FIFA is scheduled to choose the 2026 host on June 13. "The US has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?" Mr. Trump said on Twitter. "We will be watching very closely, and any help they can give us in that bid we would appreciate," Mr. Trump added, implicitly linking support for the US-led bid to trade issues. In his own tweets, Mr. Al-Sheikh made clear that Saudi support for the US-led bid was about more than preserving the kingdom's alliance with the United States. He suggested that it was yet another indication of an attempt to strongarm countries into supporting the boycott of Qatar that has failed to garner international support and punish those who opposed it. Morocco, despite close security, military and economic ties to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has refused to take sides in the Gulf conflict and has offered to mediate. As Qatar was scrambling last June to ensure food imports in the days that immediately followed the declaration of the boycott and the cutting of land, air and sea links, Morocco sent several planeloads of supplies to the Gulf state. "Some people went astray. If you want to support, you should seek it in Riyadh. What you are doing is wasting your time. Now ask the pseudo-state to help you. A message from the Gulf to the Ocean," Mr. Al-Sheikh tweeted several weeks ago, referring to Qatar in derogatory terms and the fact that Morocco’s shores are on the Atlantic Ocean. Adding insult to injury, Mr. Al-Sheikh posted his tweet at the very moment that his aide and namesake, Talal Al Sheikh, was meeting in the Moroccan capital of Rabat with the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekjaa. The linking of Saudi Arabia’s position on the World Cup came on the heels of the kingdom’s efforts to force prominent, multi-national financial institutions to take sides in the Gulf dispute. The Saudi push persuaded JP Morgan and HSBC to refrain from participating last month in a $12 billion Qatari bond sale. The Saudi-Moroccan spat is the latest incident in which the World Cup has become a battleground in the Gulf crisis. In an indication of the importance, Gulf leaders attribute to Qatar’s ability to garner soft power with its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, Dubai security chief Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan suggested in October that the UAE-Saudi-led boycott would be lifted if the Gulf state surrendered its hosting rights. That may have been an overstatement by the notoriously bombastic law enforcement official, but nonetheless reflected thinking about the political importance of sports in Qatar and among its detractors. The Saudi-Moroccan spat goes, however, beyond the political significance of soccer in the Gulf. It symbolizes the end of a post-colonial era in the Middle East in which Arab states look out for their individual interests rather than perceive themselves as a true bloc in anything but name. That may be a healthy development, albeit one that promises even greater fracturing in an already deeply divided part of the world. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Saudi Moroccan soccer spat symbolises the Arab world’s new politics

Saudi Arabia`s King Salman opened a summit of Arab leaders on Sunday by condemning an old foe, Iran, without making any reference to missile strikes by Western powers on Syrian government targets over a suspected gas attack a week ago.

Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in a decades-long struggle for supremacy that is being waged in proxy wars in several countries, including Yemen and Syria.

"We renew our strong condemnation of terrorist acts carried out by Iran in the Arab region, and we reject its blatant interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries," King Salman said in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, without giving specifics. Iran denies the charges.

There was no mention in King Salman`s remarks nor in the summit`s closing statement of Saturday`s missile launch by the United States, Britain and France against three alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria. The Syrian government denies using - or possessing - chemical weapons and said the strikes were an act of aggression.

Saudi Arabia and allies expressed support for the strikes on Saturday, but Iraq and Lebanon have condemned them. Other countries like Jordan and Kuwait refrained from taking a position, instead renewing calls for a political solution to the multi-sided war which has killed at least half a million people in the past seven years.

Military help over the past three years from Russia and Iran, which also backs Lebanon`s Hezbollah group and Shi`ite Muslim militias in Iraq, has allowed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed cooperating with the Arab League on regional security, specifically in Iraq and Syria following the defeat of Islamic State militants there, according to Russian news agencies.

Saudi Arabia, which takes over the rotating chair of the Arab summit from Jordan, announced that the current gathering would be named the "Quds (Jerusalem) Summit", a reference to US President Donald Trump`s decision last year to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel which Arab states condemned.

Delegates pledged in the closing statement to support the Palestinians and ensure regional security with a call for regional actors to respect Arab sovereignty and for militias to disarm. They provided few details.

King Salman said Saudi Arabia was donating $200 million to support the Palestinians, including $50 million for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Gulf Rift

Qatar did not send a senior official in a sign that its 10-month dispute with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt is still a long way from being resolved.

The four countries severed diplomatic and transport ties with Doha in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

The Qatari delegation is being headed by Doha`s permanent representative to the Arab League, Saif bin Muqaddam al-Buainain, Qatar`s state news agency said, without elaborating.

Most of the 22 other countries are represented by heads of state or government. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani headed Qatar`s delegation at last year`s summit in Jordan.

Sheikh Tamim returned to Doha on Saturday from a US trip where he met Trump. Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early in the crisis but is now pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf Arab unity and maintain a united front against Iran.

Ahead of the summit, the four boycotting nations said their demands - including closing the Al Jazeera television station and reducing ties with Iran - were "a necessary basis" for a resolution to the crisis with Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Thursday the crisis would not be discussed at the meeting, Al Arabiya TV reported.

&nbsp

Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in a decades-long struggle for supremacy that is being waged in proxy wars in several countries, including Yemen and Syria

Saudi Arabia`s King Salman opened a summit of Arab leaders on Sunday by condemning an old foe, Iran, without making any reference to missile strikes by Western powers on Syrian government targets over a suspected gas attack a week ago. Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have been locked in a decades-long struggle for supremacy that is being waged in proxy wars in several countries, including Yemen and Syria. "We renew our strong condemnation of terrorist acts carried out by Iran in the Arab region, and we reject its blatant interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries," King Salman said in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, without giving specifics. Iran denies the charges. There was no mention in King Salman`s remarks nor in the summit`s closing statement of Saturday`s missile launch by the United States, Britain and France against three alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria. The Syrian government denies using - or possessing - chemical weapons and said the strikes were an act of aggression. Saudi Arabia and allies expressed support for the strikes on Saturday, but Iraq and Lebanon have condemned them. Other countries like Jordan and Kuwait refrained from taking a position, instead renewing calls for a political solution to the multi-sided war which has killed at least half a million people in the past seven years. Military help over the past three years from Russia and Iran, which also backs Lebanon`s Hezbollah group and Shi`ite Muslim militias in Iraq, has allowed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed cooperating with the Arab League on regional security, specifically in Iraq and Syria following the defeat of Islamic State militants there, according to Russian news agencies. Saudi Arabia, which takes over the rotating chair of the Arab summit from Jordan, announced that the current gathering would be named the "Quds (Jerusalem) Summit", a reference to US President Donald Trump`s decision last year to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel which Arab states condemned. Delegates pledged in the closing statement to support the Palestinians and ensure regional security with a call for regional actors to respect Arab sovereignty and for militias to disarm. They provided few details. King Salman said Saudi Arabia was donating $200 million to support the Palestinians, including $50 million for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Gulf Rift Qatar did not send a senior official in a sign that its 10-month dispute with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt is still a long way from being resolved. The four countries severed diplomatic and transport ties with Doha in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty. The Qatari delegation is being headed by Doha`s permanent representative to the Arab League, Saif bin Muqaddam al-Buainain, Qatar`s state news agency said, without elaborating. Most of the 22 other countries are represented by heads of state or government. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani headed Qatar`s delegation at last year`s summit in Jordan. Sheikh Tamim returned to Doha on Saturday from a US trip where he met Trump. Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early in the crisis but is now pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf Arab unity and maintain a united front against Iran. Ahead of the summit, the four boycotting nations said their demands - including closing the Al Jazeera television station and reducing ties with Iran - were "a necessary basis" for a resolution to the crisis with Qatar. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Thursday the crisis would not be discussed at the meeting, Al Arabiya TV reported.

Saudi condemns Iran amid Arab divisions over Syria strikes

The killing of 17 Palestinians protester last Friday by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has further vitiated the already fragile region. 

The Palestinian Authority had called the national mourning day on the next day. The Palestinians were observing the 42nd Land Day since March 30, 1976, when six unarmed Palestinian citizens of Israel were killed by Israeli forces during protests against the Israeli government's decision to expropriate massive tracts of Palestinian owned land.

Dubbed as the 'Great Return March' thousands of Palestinian marched peacefully towards Gaza - Israel border to symbolically reclaim their territory and keep the agenda of their 'Right to Return to their Land' alive on international table.

The Israeli government reacted violently and the IDF killed 17 and wounded hundred of peaceful Palestinians protestors. The Israeli accused them of members of Hamas, whom they called as a terrorist organisation and claimed that as a sovereign nation. Israel has a right to defend itself against any attack including a terrorist attack.&nbsp;

The IDF, in the operation, also blew the Gaza - Egyptian Tunnel, which Palestinians used to buy the daily living products from Egypt in case of the embargo of Gaza by the Israeli authority.

Worst, this time the Israeli government has flatly refused to give the bodies back to the Palestinian families to perform their last rites to the departed souls!

The IDF wants to exchange the dead Palestinian bodies with its two soldiers who are considered to be under the control of Hamas. 
&nbsp; 
Notwithstanding this political posturing what is evident is that since the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United State in last December and US’s repeatedly veto in the security council including over this incident, the Israeli's use of violent methods against Palestinians &nbsp;and disregard for any negotiated &nbsp;settlement for conflict has tremendously increased.

It is true that the Israeli government &nbsp;have historically disregarded any negotiated settlement under any international &nbsp;mediation except the &nbsp;Oslo Treaty (1992), which paves the way for the formation of Palestinian Authority in West Bank and Gaza under the overall political control of the Israeli State. 

However, the implementation of Oslo Treaty is replete with repeated violations by the Israeli authority. Seen in this background the current escalation and Israeli disproportionate actions have all implications for creating further unrest in the region and may give fillip to the extremist voice in the region. 
 
The international response to this incident has by and large been muted. Except a few Middle Eastern Arab countries, who condemned the Israeli atrocities, the international community did not react much on this incident.

The Kuwaiti government &nbsp;moved a resolution in the Security Council for an international investigation under UN of this incident which was vetoed by the United States. &nbsp;The hawk Turkish President, Erdogan, called &nbsp;Israel as terrorist state, While Qatar condemned the Israeli actions.&nbsp; 
 
It is intriguing that India preferred not to respond and till date did not &nbsp;issue any statement regarding the current Israeli - Palestine conflict.

The visit &nbsp;of Modi to Palestine has raised the prestige of India among Arab’s eyes and could have been emerged as a potential interlocutor between Israel - Palestinian conflict, more so after the credibility of US as mediator following the US’s declaration of recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli Capital has dipped down.&nbsp;

What factors weigh before government of India to remain a spectator of the events one does &nbsp;know however, given the high stake India &nbsp;has in the Arab world in terms of &nbsp;uninterrupted supply of oil and gas, remittances, investment and trade, a symbolic gesture &nbsp;in favour of Palestinian right to self determination and &nbsp;calling upon Israeli government to restrain its disproportionate military actions against hapless Palestinians will go a long way to cement the relationship with people and government of the Arab World.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The visit  of Modi to Palestine has raised the prestige of India among Arab’s eyes and could have been emerged as a potential interlocutor between Israel - Palestinian conflict

The killing of 17 Palestinians protester last Friday by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has further vitiated the already fragile region.  The Palestinian Authority had called the national mourning day on the next day. The Palestinians were observing the 42nd Land Day since March 30, 1976, when six unarmed Palestinian citizens of Israel were killed by Israeli forces during protests against the Israeli government's decision to expropriate massive tracts of Palestinian owned land. Dubbed as the 'Great Return March' thousands of Palestinian marched peacefully towards Gaza - Israel border to symbolically reclaim their territory and keep the agenda of their 'Right to Return to their Land' alive on international table. The Israeli government reacted violently and the IDF killed 17 and wounded hundred of peaceful Palestinians protestors. The Israeli accused them of members of Hamas, whom they called as a terrorist organisation and claimed that as a sovereign nation. Israel has a right to defend itself against any attack including a terrorist attack. The IDF, in the operation, also blew the Gaza - Egyptian Tunnel, which Palestinians used to buy the daily living products from Egypt in case of the embargo of Gaza by the Israeli authority. Worst, this time the Israeli government has flatly refused to give the bodies back to the Palestinian families to perform their last rites to the departed souls! The IDF wants to exchange the dead Palestinian bodies with its two soldiers who are considered to be under the control of Hamas. Notwithstanding this political posturing what is evident is that since the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United State in last December and US’s repeatedly veto in the security council including over this incident, the Israeli's use of violent methods against Palestinians  and disregard for any negotiated  settlement for conflict has tremendously increased. It is true that the Israeli government  have historically disregarded any negotiated settlement under any international  mediation except the  Oslo Treaty (1992), which paves the way for the formation of Palestinian Authority in West Bank and Gaza under the overall political control of the Israeli State.  However, the implementation of Oslo Treaty is replete with repeated violations by the Israeli authority. Seen in this background the current escalation and Israeli disproportionate actions have all implications for creating further unrest in the region and may give fillip to the extremist voice in the region. The international response to this incident has by and large been muted. Except a few Middle Eastern Arab countries, who condemned the Israeli atrocities, the international community did not react much on this incident. The Kuwaiti government  moved a resolution in the Security Council for an international investigation under UN of this incident which was vetoed by the United States.  The hawk Turkish President, Erdogan, called  Israel as terrorist state, While Qatar condemned the Israeli actions. It is intriguing that India preferred not to respond and till date did not  issue any statement regarding the current Israeli - Palestine conflict. The visit  of Modi to Palestine has raised the prestige of India among Arab’s eyes and could have been emerged as a potential interlocutor between Israel - Palestinian conflict, more so after the credibility of US as mediator following the US’s declaration of recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli Capital has dipped down. What factors weigh before government of India to remain a spectator of the events one does  know however, given the high stake India  has in the Arab world in terms of  uninterrupted supply of oil and gas, remittances, investment and trade, a symbolic gesture  in favour of Palestinian right to self determination and  calling upon Israeli government to restrain its disproportionate military actions against hapless Palestinians will go a long way to cement the relationship with people and government of the Arab World. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: What India can do to calm Israeli-Palestine tensions

President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said Iran is ready to discuss regional security issues with its Gulf Arab neighbours as long as foreign powers are kept out of any potential talks.

&quot;We don&#39;t need foreigners to guarantee the security of our region,&quot; Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on state television.

&quot;When it comes to regional security arrangements, we are ready to talk to our neighbours and friends, without the presence of foreigners,&quot; he added.

&quot;We are, have been and always will be good neighbours,&quot; Rouhani said, addressing Gulf Arab countries including Iran&#39;s regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Rouhani was speaking in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas overlooking the Gulf -- a flashpoint of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The two powers, who severed diplomatic ties in January 2016, have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Shiite-dominated Iran is the main regional backer of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Sunni rebels supported by Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing since 2015 Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels opposed to the internationally recognised government.

Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East.

Tehran, however, has regularly called for dialogue with its neighbours free of any foreign interference.

Rouhani&#39;s comments came a day after the United States and three European allies condemned Iran after the United Nations found Tehran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles and drones to Huthi rebels.

The condemnation came after Russia vetoed a British-drafted resolution renewing sanctions on Yemen and citing &quot;particular concern&quot; about a report&#39;s findings on Iran.

Rouhani paid tribute to &quot;Russia&#39;s just and intelligent stance&quot;.

Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East

President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said Iran is ready to discuss regional security issues with its Gulf Arab neighbours as long as foreign powers are kept out of any potential talks. "We don't need foreigners to guarantee the security of our region," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on state television. "When it comes to regional security arrangements, we are ready to talk to our neighbours and friends, without the presence of foreigners," he added. "We are, have been and always will be good neighbours," Rouhani said, addressing Gulf Arab countries including Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia. Rouhani was speaking in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas overlooking the Gulf -- a flashpoint of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The two powers, who severed diplomatic ties in January 2016, have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen. Shiite-dominated Iran is the main regional backer of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Sunni rebels supported by Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, a Saudi-led coalition has been bombing since 2015 Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels opposed to the internationally recognised government. Western powers and their Gulf Arab allies say Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East. Tehran, however, has regularly called for dialogue with its neighbours free of any foreign interference. Rouhani's comments came a day after the United States and three European allies condemned Iran after the United Nations found Tehran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles and drones to Huthi rebels. The condemnation came after Russia vetoed a British-drafted resolution renewing sanctions on Yemen and citing "particular concern" about a report's findings on Iran. Rouhani paid tribute to "Russia's just and intelligent stance".

Rouhani says Iran 'ready' to talk to Arab neighbours

Benjamin Netanyahu has turned to a 14-year-old Arab peace plan in trying to project a softer image internationally for a new governing coalition in Israel widely seen as more hardline towards Palestinian statehood.

In what some political commentators and opposition politicians called spin but a spokesman for Netanyahu dubbed &quot;an important development&quot;, the right-wing prime minister said on Monday the 2002 Saudi peace initiative had &quot;positive elements&quot;, although some revisions would have to be made.

He drew&nbsp;attention to Arab countries&#39; past offer of normal relations with Israel, in return for a full withdrawal from occupied territory, at a time when he is trying to counter a French push for an international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu&#39;s partial embrace of the Arab plan comes after far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman was sworn in as defence minister in a broadened coalition on Monday, an appointment that has raised concern at home and abroad.

Israel fears it could face strong world pressure for concessions towards the Palestinians once foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, convene in Paris on June 3 in preparation for a full conference in the autumn.

&quot;The Europeans are gathering ammunition, the danger is real.&nbsp;(Netanyahu) is bracing for all this with a regional initiative that has cost him only words for now,&quot; political commentator Ben Caspit, a frequent critic of the Israeli leader, wrote in the Maariv newspaper.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Netanyahu of playing a &quot;public relations game&quot;. But Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N.&#39;s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, welcomed the Israeli leader&#39;s comments.

&quot;This can help advance negotiations on achieving a two-state solution,&quot; said Mladenov, who also referred to a public promise last week by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of warmer ties with Israel if it accepted efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians.

Lieberman, who also spoke in English on Monday with an international audience in mind, said he concurred with Netanyahu&#39;s comments on the regional peace proposal. There was no immediate response from Arab countries.

A spokesman for the prime minister declined to discuss what changes Israel might seek in the initiative, which speaks of a &quot;just solution&quot; for Palestinian refugees but whose terms were softened in 2013 to include possible land swaps between Israel and the Palestinians.

Zeev Elkin, a minister in Netanyahu&#39;s cabinet, said on Israel Radio that any division of Jerusalem under the plan - Israel captured the eastern part of the city in the 1967 conflict - is &quot;certainly not acceptable&quot;.

Netanyahu has also said Israel would never relinquish the strategic Golan Heights, territory it annexed in 1981 but which the world considers occupied Syrian land.

Israel Prime Minister has turned to a 14-year-old Arab peace plan to project a softer image of Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu has turned to a 14-year-old Arab peace plan in trying to project a softer image internationally for a new governing coalition in Israel widely seen as more hardline towards Palestinian statehood. In what some political commentators and opposition politicians called spin but a spokesman for Netanyahu dubbed "an important development", the right-wing prime minister said on Monday the 2002 Saudi peace initiative had "positive elements", although some revisions would have to be made. He drew attention to Arab countries' past offer of normal relations with Israel, in return for a full withdrawal from occupied territory, at a time when he is trying to counter a French push for an international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu's partial embrace of the Arab plan comes after far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman was sworn in as defence minister in a broadened coalition on Monday, an appointment that has raised concern at home and abroad. Israel fears it could face strong world pressure for concessions towards the Palestinians once foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, convene in Paris on June 3 in preparation for a full conference in the autumn. "The Europeans are gathering ammunition, the danger is real. (Netanyahu) is bracing for all this with a regional initiative that has cost him only words for now," political commentator Ben Caspit, a frequent critic of the Israeli leader, wrote in the Maariv newspaper. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Netanyahu of playing a "public relations game". But Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N.'s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, welcomed the Israeli leader's comments. "This can help advance negotiations on achieving a two-state solution," said Mladenov, who also referred to a public promise last week by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of warmer ties with Israel if it accepted efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians. Lieberman, who also spoke in English on Monday with an international audience in mind, said he concurred with Netanyahu's comments on the regional peace proposal. There was no immediate response from Arab countries. A spokesman for the prime minister declined to discuss what changes Israel might seek in the initiative, which speaks of a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees but whose terms were softened in 2013 to include possible land swaps between Israel and the Palestinians. Zeev Elkin, a minister in Netanyahu's cabinet, said on Israel Radio that any division of Jerusalem under the plan - Israel captured the eastern part of the city in the 1967 conflict - is "certainly not acceptable". Netanyahu has also said Israel would never relinquish the strategic Golan Heights, territory it annexed in 1981 but which the world considers occupied Syrian land.

Netanyahu turns to Arab peace plan to face new challenges

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