RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Egypt have agreed to develop the role of the Saudi-Egyptian Parliamentary Friendship Committee via more mutual visits and coordination on regional and international issues.
This was announced after a meeting in Riyadh between Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Shoura Council speaker, and Ali Abdel-Aal, speaker of the Egyptian Council of Representatives.
The agreement came on the heels of a meeting between King Salman and Abdel-Aal at Al-Yamamah Palace on Wednesday, during which they reviewed relations between the two countries.
King Salman and Abdel-Aal also discussed cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the parliamentary field. Al-Asheikh attended the meeting.
Abdel-Aal said: “We are pleased to meet King Salman, who praised Saudi-Egyptian relations and the continuous coordination between the two leaderships in all fields and issues in the region.”
Former Shoura Council member Sadaka Yahya Fadil on Thursday said bilateral ties have benefited both countries, which are united against terrorism and support each other in all areas.
He urged Egyptian businessmen to visit the Kingdom and witness the “promising” Vision 2030 reform plan.
“The relationship is historical. Saudi Arabia is tied to Egypt and Egypt is tied to the Kingdom socially, politically and culturally, among others,” Fadil said, describing Saudis and Egyptians as one people living in two countries. “There’s a lot we can do together,” he added.
“The visit of the Egyptian Council of Representatives is another sign of the steady friendship between the two sides. The two brotherly countries always sign agreements if a visit takes place.”
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have a united position on the global stage, making them stronger and listened to on international issues, Fadil said, adding that both countries are members of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
“At the IPU there are many issues discussed, and Saudi Arabia and Egypt need support for their ideas and interests. Egypt has always been a supporter of Saudi Arabia and vice versa,” he said.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt agree to boost parliamentary friendship committee
Saudi Arabia, Egypt agree to boost parliamentary friendship committee
Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan
TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.
Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
