On 5 July 2024, Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, together with Mr. Chakkrid Krachaiwong. Director-General, Department of Protocol, and Mr. Pongprach Makchang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, received His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, upon his arrival to Thailand as Guest of the Royal Thai Government during 5 – 8 July 2024.

The visit of the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar of Egypt to Thailand, in line with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year, is an excellent opportunity to further enhance the existing cordial bonds between Thailand and Egypt, especially in the fields of religious, educational and cultural exchanges.

During the visit, Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar is scheduled to hold bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, pay a courtesy call on the President of the National Assembly and the President of the House of Representatives, hold a meeting with the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand as well as to deliver a special lecture to Thai Muslim communities.

On 5 July 2024 ,after his arrival to Thailand, the Grand Imam joined Muslim Thai communities to perform Friday Prayer at Central Mosque of the Foundation of Islamic Centre of Thailand in the afternoon, where he was greeted and warmly welcomed by religious leaders, academics, alumni of Al-Azhar University as well as other Thai Muslims. Afterwards, he was granted the royal audience with their Majesties the King and the Queen in the evening.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory message to Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to President Chakwera.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his appointment to the position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Starmer assumed the position on 05 July 2024, following the general elections held on 04 July 2024.

President Ramaphosa said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Starmer to enhance the strong, historic relations between South Africa and the UK.

South Africa and the UK are strategic partners with a broad and vibrant relationship, led by a commitment to liberal values, democracy and the rule of law.

The UK is one of South Africa’s largest bilateral trading and investment partners and remains South Africa’s number one source of long-haul tourism in the world.

South Africa and the UK collaborate in various multilateral fora to advance shared ideals and objectives.

In 2022, President Ramaphosa was the first Head of State to undertake a State Visit to the UK following an invitation from His Majesty, King Charles III.

The State Visit was an important and momentous occasion to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

President Ramaphosa said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Starmer to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and to address current global political and security challenges.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The two Presidents exchanged greetings on the occasion of the new Hijri year, asking Allah the Almighty to bless the Arab and Islamic nations with goodness, prosperity, and blessings.

The phone call tackled regional developments. President El-Sisi and Syrian President al-Assad exchanged views on the dangers of escalation in the region and emphasized the vital necessity to prevent the widening of the conflict zone and to preserve regional security and stability. They reiterated their absolute rejection of attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue or displace the Palestinians.

President El-Sisi reaffirmed that Egypt is committed to continuing its unyielding efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid in sufficient and adequate quantities to meet the needs of the Palestinian brothers, while pursuing its efforts towards reenforcing the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.