RIYADH: A cross section of Saudi society including the Shoura Council, intellectuals, economists and Saudi diplomats welcomed the outcome of the Riyadh summits attended by US President Donald Trump and Arab and Muslim leaders.
At the outset of the 37th ordinary session on Monday, the Shoura Council said the outcome of the Saudi-US summit would bolster the existing strategic ties between the two countries.
“President Trump’s selection of Saudi Arabia to be his first foreign visit is a proof of the strong position occupied by the Kingdom worldwide, its importance to Muslims and the influential political weight enjoyed by King Salman at the regional and world levels,” a statement by the Shoura said.
The Shoura Council also appreciated the signing of the joint strategic vision between the Kingdom and the US, a matter that will transform relations from the strategic dimension to higher levels through the intensified consultations and cooperation in addition to its economic dimension to boost Vision 2030.
The council also lauded the convening of the GCC consultative meeting, which stressed the solidarity of the GCC countries for their security and well being of their citizens and the Riyadh Declaration at the end of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit.
The Riyadh Declaration forged a unified stance to fight terrorism and stamp out the Iranian threats and other terrorist groups, it said.
The council appreciated the participation of Muslim countries and the launching of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh to promote moderation and counter extremism.
Commending President Trump’s historic visit, Mohamed Alkhunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, told Arab News, “We are really glad that President Trump came to Saudi Arabia on his maiden foreign tour as this signifies the depth of relations now enjoyed by the two countries.”
King Salman took this opportunity to invite Arab and Muslim leaders for the summit with President Trump where the leaders discussed key issues including Palestine, he said.
The visit is also significant from the economic and investment dimension between these two countries, Alkhunaizi added.
Youssef Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), congratulated King Salman on the success of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit and praised his speech on terrorism and extremism.
Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant and investment law expert, said President Trump arriving Saudi Arabia on his very first foreign tour and receiving a warm welcome in Riyadh is reflective of warmth in Saudi-US relations and will help bolster bilateral cooperation.
President Trump choosing Saudi Arabia for the first foreign tour also signifies the importance of the Kingdom in international affairs, he added.
Moreover, this visit reflects the importance of the Kingdom and its role in the making of safety and security of the world, he noted.
The CEO forum with top business leaders from the two countries sharing views on enhancing cooperation further helped bolster bilateral relations, he underlined.
Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, head of foreign trade agency at the ministry of commerce and investment, said the Trump visit comes to signify the depth of relations between the two countries.
He said the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached SR142 billion in 2016 while Saudi exports to the US stood at SR66 billion.
Abdul Rahim Hassan Al-Naqi, secretary-general of the Federation of Chambers of the GCC (FCGCC) Countries, said President Trump selecting the Kingdom for his first visit stresses the role and position of the Kingdom worldwide.
Moreover, diplomats at the Saudi Embassy in Washington said that President Trump’s visit stressed the strategic partnership between the US and the Kingdom and will help bolster bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Commercial Attache Taha Al-Sharif said the visit would boost joint cooperation, notably in the trade and investment areas that conform to the Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi-US Summit bolstered strategic ties between the two countries
Saudi-US Summit bolstered strategic ties between the two countries
Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli settlers for storming courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also renewed its denunciation of continued Israeli violations of international law and repeated attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday Israeli settlers for storming the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israel’s security forces.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also renewed its denunciation of continued Israeli violations of international law and repeated attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Kingdom affirmed its categorical rejection of anything that affects the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.
It also called on the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for their serious and ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites and innocent civilians in Palestine.
Syrian conjoined twins arrive in Saudi Arabia for medical assessment
RIYADH: Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eleen Abdulmoneim Alshibli, along with their family, arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The twins and their parents were invited to the Kingdom upon directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA added.
The twins travelled from Lebanon aboard a medical evacuation aircraft provided by the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
They are scheduled to undergo a comprehensive series of medical evaluations at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, and these assessments will determine the feasibility of performing a separation surgery.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief and head of the surgical and multidisciplinary team, thanked the Kingdom’s leadership for the humanitarian initiative.
“This act underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to humanitarian values and its globally recognized medical expertise,” Al-Rabeeah said. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts in providing medical, humanitarian and relief support worldwide.
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has under the management of Al-Rabeeah separated dozens of conjoined twins from countries around the world.
The family of the twins thanked the Saudi leadership, government and citizens for the warm hospitality and support extended to them since their arrival. They also expressed their trust in the capabilities of the Saudi surgical team, renowned for their expertise in handling similarly complex medical cases.
Saudi Arabia expresses condolences to South Korea after passenger plane crash
- All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to the government and people of South Korea and wished the injured a speedy recovery
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed its condolences to the families of those who died after a plane travelling from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival on Sunday.
A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.
The Jeju Air plane crashed while landing in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. The Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that had arrived from Bangkok and that the crash happened at 9:03 a.m.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences to the government and people of South Korea and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi project clears 3,174 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 3,174 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included three anti-personnel mines, seven anti-tank mines and 3,164 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 476,432 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
Baha festival set to launch with 280 activities
RIYADH: Preparations are complete for the start of the Baha Winter Festival. More than 67 parks and gardens, some 14 sports, and health walkways are ready to welcome visitors and residents, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The festival will boast a diverse lineup of activities and attractions across the Tihama governorates, including Al-Makhwah, Qilwah, Al-Hijrah, and Ghamid Al-Zinad, highlighting the region’s cultural, historic, and natural treasures.
Ali bin Mohammed Al-Sawat, the secretary of the Baha region and chairman of the festival’s executive committee, said the event will offer more than 280 recreational, cultural, sports, and social activities for all age groups and interests.
Al-Sawat spoke of Tihama’s unique climate and environmental diversity, stretching from the Red Sea coast to the peaks of the Sarawat Mountains.
The region’s valleys, green plains, and majestic Shada Mountain provide breathtaking views and a peaceful escape for visitors, he said.
With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shopping destinations, the area has become a prime attraction for tourists seeking to enjoy the winter season in the Kingdom, the SPA added.
With its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse activities, the Baha Winter Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
