{
  "id": 19150793,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia and Egypt to join G7 talks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/saudi-arabia-and-egypt-to-join-g7-talks",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T12:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/11/09/saudi-arabia-and-egypt-to-join-g7-talks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia and Egypt are set to participate in a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers in Paris on Monday. The purpose of the event is to explore ways to de-escalate the Middle East conflicts. Iran has intensified its attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has heightened concerns over a stalemate between the US and Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a resolution to the ongoing war during his visit to France. Rubio stated that recent talks had been unproductive due to Iran's unreasonable demands. The US delegation will attend a dinner hosted by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, along with foreign ministers from the UK, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Italy. The agenda for the minister-only meeting remains open, with France aiming to facilitate as free-form discussions as possible. Brazil and South Korea have also been invited to the event. Saudi Arabia has received military assistance from the UK and France, as well as support from Turkey and Pakistan, in their ongoing battle against Houthi attacks on their infrastructure. Egypt is considered a crucial partner for the G7 in addressing food security issues, which have been impacted by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The G7 foreign ministers will convene with Middle East counterparts on Tuesday to discuss the region's stability. A French-British plan to secure the passage of vessels in the Hormuz Strait is prepared for deployment, contingent on the relaxation of security conditions. The initiative includes more than a dozen ships from nations like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The G7 discussions will also address crises in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. While European influence in resolving Middle East crises is limited, European ministers will seek to evaluate the consequences of the recent US midterm elections on US policies in Ukraine and the Middle East. Lebanon's political vacuum is of particular concern, as the US opposes a proposed replacement for a five-decade-old UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon. G7 bilateral meetings may provide an opportunity for European ministers to advocate for a viable solution to the security crisis in the region. Additionally, G7 representatives will discuss the ongoing Ukraine war, accompanied by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, prior to the Ukraine-Russia peace talks scheduled for Abu Dhabi. France, Germany, the UK, and the European Commission are expected to send senior officials to the meeting, hoping to contribute to the US-brokered discussions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her support for Zelenskyy's call for a ceasefire covering essential infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia and Egypt are to join a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers in Paris on Monday to explore options to de-escalate hostilities in the Middle East. Iran has stepped up its attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as fears widen over a persisting deadlock between the US and Iran. Speaking on his way to France, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "GCC railway reaches 55.9% completion as UAE, Saudi Arabia and four Gulf states sign landmark agreement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/gcc-railway-reaches-55-9-completion-as-uae-saudi-arabia-and-four-gulf",
        "published": "2026-11-09T08:03:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Pakistan, Saudi Arabia investors launch fund to boost trade, investment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/pakistan-saudi-arabia-investors-launch-fund-to-boost-trade-investment",
        "published": "2026-11-09T12:02:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}