RIYADH: Nearly 160,000 violators of residence, work and border security systems have been arrested in a nationwide round-up, the General Directorate of Public Security said on Friday.
The joint security field campaign was launched in early November to track down and arrest offenders.
According to the statement, the total number of violators who were caught was 159,407, which included 89,651 for violating residency regulations, 45,063 for labor violations and 24,693 who acted in violation of the border security system.
A total of 1,838 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 78 percent of whom were Yemeni citizens, 21 percent were Ethiopians, and one percent were other nationalities. A total of 36 people were arrested for attempting to cross the border to go to neighboring countries.
A total of 426 people were arrested for involvement in transporting and harboring those who violated the residency, work, and border security, while a total of 71 citizens were arrested for harboring the violators against local regulations.
Security authorities conducted inspections to apprehend illegal workers to curb crimes such as thefts, sorcery, employing illegal workers, brewing liquor and to prevent them being involved in criminal activities.
According to the police, most of the crimes in the Kingdom are committed by illegal residents who have overstayed their visas. As a result, the government has intensified its campaign against residents who have overstayed their visas.
Nearly 160,000 violators arrested across Saudi Arabia
Nearly 160,000 violators arrested across Saudi Arabia
Saudi minister holds talks with UK, China envoys in Riyadh
- Discussed recent regional and international developments, and related efforts
RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance them. Both officials also discussed recent regional and international developments, and related efforts.
In a separate meeting, Elkhereiji held talks with Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua in Riyadh. They reviewed bilateral relations as well as recent regional and international developments.
Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Omani Ambassador Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi. They discussed fraternal relations between the two countries and topics of mutual interest.
Greening initiative sees 31m trees planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
- The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land
RIYADH: More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as part of a nationwide afforestation project, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The trees were planted by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, working with 51 other entities, under a program launched in November.
The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land.
The scheme is part of the nationwide Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees — 600 million by 2030 — and rehabilitate more than 40 million hectares of land.
As well as planting trees, the center has been engaged in a program of environmental monitoring, combating illegal logging and raising public awareness across the Eastern Province.
It also works to prevent sand encroachment in farming areas that are at risk of soil degradation and uses native plant species to populate its afforestation areas in order to maintain the ecological balance of local habitats.
The center also organizes the National Afforestation Season in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Saudi crown prince, Greek PM discuss Iran-Israel tensions in phone call
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Sunday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders reviewed the latest developments in the region, with particular focus on the repercussions of Israeli military operations targeting Iran.
They stressed the need for restraint and de-escalation, and underlined the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, SPA added.
The phone call comes amid heightened tensions following a series of tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries.
The latest flare-up has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international leaders urging all parties to avoid further escalation.
Saudi foundation displays projects at Dutch ‘GreenTech’ exhibition
- Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards
RIYADH: The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation, known as Morooj, presented its flagship projects as part of the Saudi delegation at Greentech Amsterdam, an international exhibition for horticulture held from June 10-12 in the Dutch capital.
Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards.
The foundation also presented examples of its strategic partnerships with various government and private sectors, as well as with international organizations.
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The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.
The projects displayed included the planting of millions of mangrove trees, greening mosque areas, promoting community participation in environmental sanitation campaigns, and efforts to rehabilitate natural reserves in various regions of the Kingdom, all of which fall under the Saudi Green Initiative.
The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.
The exhibition, one of the world’s leading events focused on environmental innovations and sustainable agricultural technologies, is also an opportunity to build new partnerships and exchange expertise on the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration.
Ultimately, Murooj aims to become an interactive platform for knowledge transfer and application, creating meaningful environmental and social impact in the Kingdom.
The foundation’s role of strengthening its international presence and exchanging successful experiences with various global environmental entities and organizations has been crucial to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, founded under Saudi Vision 2030.
SGI, which celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year, has reinforced the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a key contributor to global efforts to combat climate change and enhance environmental sustainability by promoting renewable energy, protecting terrestrial and marine areas, and reaching net-zero domestically by 2060, among other initiatives.
Saudi Arabia displays biotech vision at US convention
- The center will give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030
RIYADH: The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences will join the Saudi pavilion at the BIO International Convention in Boston, US, from June 16 to 19.
This will be the first joint national representation of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector at the event, aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.
The King Abdullah center will display national initiatives and host meetings with global biotech companies to explore research and development partnerships.
The pavilion’s program features five sessions, among them a “super session” on innovation and opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector.
The center will also give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Health will launch an accelerator program for biotech startups and host a reception for global investors and industry experts to discuss potential partnerships.
The participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support research and development through digital infrastructure, regulatory support, and institutional collaboration.
