Saudi Arabia To Jail Citizens Who Fight Abroad

The degree underscored concern about Saudis hardened by battle in Syria coming home to target the ruling royal family.

UAE Says Ruler In “Reassuring” Condition After Surgery

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said “we have passed through a difficult crisis.”

UAE Summons Qatari Ambassador Over Muslim Cleric’s Comments

In a recent sermon Youssef al-Qaradawi condemned the UAE as a country which was against Islamic rule.

US President Obama Plans Visit To Saudi Arabia – Report

Obama will hold a summit with Saudi King Abdullah to ease tensions between the two countries, according to a report.

Middle East Peace Mediators To Meet In Munich

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will meet with Tony Blair and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Saudi Arabia To Give Egypt Up To $4bn More Aid

GCC states have given Egypt billions of dollars since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi.

Bahraini Court Shuts Down Shi’ite Clerical Group

The decision comes soon after stalled reconciliation talks between the ruling family and the opposition were revived.

Bahraini Police, Protesters Clash After Funeral

Sunday’s violence followed the death of 20-year-old Fadhel Abbas, who died in police custody.

Saudi Minister Says No Role For Syria’s Assad In Transition

In a speech to an international conference on Syria, Prince Saud called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Syria.

Bahrain Deadlocked Talks Saved From Brink

Earlier this month the government said it was suspending talks with opposition groups.

World powers, Iran To Activate Landmark Nuclear Deal After IAEA Nod

If Iran meets its end of the agreement, the European Union and the US will suspend some economic sanctions in return.

Israeli Minister To Lead Delegation To Abu Dhabi Energy Summit

The Israeli delegation will be the first at government level to visit the UAE since the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.

Saudi-Qatar Rivalry Divides Syrian Opposition

Syrian National Coalition is expected to decide this week whether to take part in the Geneva-2 conference in Switzerland.

Bahrain Crown Prince Meets Opposition On Ending Political Deadlock

Reconciliation talks were suspended last week in a setback for efforts to stabilise the country.

US, Gulf Arab States Pledge $1bn In Fresh Syria Aid

An international donor conference in Kuwait is intended to help the UN reach a $6.5 billion aid target.

Kuwaiti Government To Keep Reviewing Subsidies

The government said last November that it would form a special committee to review its sometimes wasteful spending.

UAE PM Says Treatment Of Jailed American Was Unsatisfactory

Shezanne Cassim was detained in April and sentenced to a year in prison for making a 20-minute “mockumentary”.

Dubai Ruler Calls For Easing Of Iran Sanctions

Sheikh Mohammed urged the international community to ease sanctions against Iran, in an interview broadcast by the BBC.

Bahrain Suspends Reconciliation Talks With Opposition Groups

The breakdown raises the prospect of more political instability in the country.

Kuwait Appoints Islamist MP As Oil Minister In Reshuffle

Anas al-Saleh, a former minister for commerce and industry, was selected to head the Finance Ministry, replacing Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz al-Sabah.

Kerry Says Saudi King Backs Israeli-Palestinian Push

The U.S. Secretary of State spent two hours and 40 minutes with King Abdullah. Earlier in the day he met with the King of Jordan.

UAE Urges Emiratis In Lebanon To Leave The Country

The country’s foreign affairs ministry also urged UAE citizens against all travel to Lebanon because of security concerns.

Pentagon Cuts Gulf From U.S. Troops’ Danger Pay

Still on the list are countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey.

Bahrain Names Bahraini Living In Iran As Suspect In Foiled Attacks

The Gulf Arab kingdom has been rattled by bouts of unrest since February 2011.

Egypt Summons Qatari Envoy After Criticisms Of Crackdown

Egypt accuses Qatar and its Doha-based Al Jazeera television channel of backing the Muslim Brotherhood.

Bahrain Impasse Risks More Instability In 2014

Authorities are using arrests, raids and strict new laws against activists seeking political reform.

Bahrain Fuel Price Hike In Doubt As MPs Boycott Debate

Bahrain’s National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) announced plans on Dec. 23 to raise the price of diesel from Jan. 15.

Saudi Arabia To Give Lebanese Army $3bn In Aid

Some of the money is likely to be spent on weapons from France, said Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman.

Egypt Declares Muslim Brotherhood A Terror Group After Bombing

The move came after after a car bomb ripped through a security headquarters in Mansoura, killing at least 16 people.

Kuwait Ministers Submit Resignations To PM

The move could pave the way for a cabinet reshuffle.