Makkah governor visits rain-hit province, Civil Defense chief warns residents of further unstable weather

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal visited Al-Lith Province following heavy rain that damaged homes, in addition to inspecting a dam project in the area. (SPA)
Updated 04 December 2018
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Makkah governor visits rain-hit province, Civil Defense chief warns residents of further unstable weather

  • The governor toured a number of affected neighborhoods
  • He was accompanied by his undersecretary and members of a committee tasked with developing the province

JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal visited Al-Lith Province following heavy rain that damaged homes, in addition to inspecting a dam project in the area.
He was accompanied by his undersecretary and members of a committee tasked with developing the province.
The governor toured a number of affected neighborhoods, where he met residents and listened to their concerns and views, and went to Wadi Al-Lith dam, where he was briefed about project.
It is to have a capacity of around 90 million cubic meters of water and will be completed within the next two years, according to a proposal from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
He headed to Al-Qunfudhah, where he met people from different parts of the region, and led a meeting that was attended by directors of government agencies in the region, reviewing implemented and ongoing projects worth SR1.4 billion ($373m).
The prince also visited an exhibition dedicated to initiatives of the region’s sectors and met distinguished residents.
He took part in a workshop attended by more than 50 local officials and inaugurated a leisure facility for residents that features waterfalls, lighting and games.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Directorate of Civil Defense in Makkah, Nayef Al-Sharif called on citizens and residents to abide by safety instructions and guidelines while driving in the streets during the rain.

The General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection issued further weather warnings for the region as well as in Taif, with an alert of rain, thunderstorms, high winds and rising dust.


Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 9 sec ago
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Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

  • King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
  • The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.

In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness. 

King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.

The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.

He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace. 


Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

Updated 53 min 49 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

  • Kingdom has engaged in policy of maintaining ties with ‘key players in the world’
  • Latest meeting highlights increasing role as international mediator

RIYADH: US-Russia talks taking place in Riyadh today exemplify Saudi Arabia’s position as a “neutral setting,” with the Kingdom having engaged in a policy of building ties with various nations, according to a political commentator.

“(Saudi Arabia) has close ties to Russia, America, to China, to the European Union, to the BRICS countries. Saudi Arabia has built a stature where it has maintained excellent ties with all the key players of the world,” Ali Shihabi said.

He said that the Kingdom has pursued a multilateral foreign policy in building close relationships with various nations, particularly in the past five years.

Russia and the US agreed after the Riyadh meeting to begin working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving ties, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts have gained renewed attention following the country’s role in dialogue over the Russia-Ukraine war.

In 2024, the Kingdom played an influential role as a mediator, and was responsible for facilitating the biggest US-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, according to Reuters.

The exchange involved 24 prisoners — 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight sent back to Russia from the West.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also reportedly involved in a negotiating a Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap in 2022 involving more than 300 people.

Shihabi said that the meeting in Riyadh between Russia and the US “is really a result of the crown prince’s close relationships.”

He said: “Both parties look upon Riyadh and look upon the crown prince as a friend — in a way this is a neutral setting.”

Shihabi underlined that European countries “are hostile to Russia.”

He said that Saudi Arabia is an ideal host for the peace talks because of its “neutrality,” having been a close ally to both countries.

“Saudi Arabia did not impose sanctions on the Russians, it works closely with the Russians in OPEC+, it’s very close to the Americans, it was a place that both parties were comfortable coming to,” Shihabi said.

The meeting in Riyadh came about following phone calls US President Trump had separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 12.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following the calls, Trump said: “I think we are on the way to getting peace, I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelensky wants peace, and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed.

“We think we’re going to probably meet in Saudi Arabia, the first meeting. We know the crown prince, and I think it would be a very good place to be.”

Shihabi underlined that the Kingdom’s hosting of the talks signals the country’s “very prestigious position,” adding that “it shows the respect that both Russia and America have for Saudi Arabia.”


Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed relations with both France and the US, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments
  • Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday and briefed ministers on his recent talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During the talks, he discussed relations with both countries, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the government’s recent activities, particularly those aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. It also discussed the outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international meetings, highlighting its commitment to collective efforts and expanding cooperation to achieve its aspirations and objectives.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call, expressed during the 42nd Arab Interior Ministers Council, to enhance security cooperation, coordinate efforts to combat crime and develop a comprehensive security strategy to address shared challenges.

The council said that the Kingdom’s presidency of the GlobE Network reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to drive a major shift in consolidating cooperation among member states, enhancing policies and developing tools to effectively combat corruption.

The Cabinet welcomed the Jeddah Declaration issued by the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. The declaration outlines a shared vision for leveraging culture to drive social and economic progress, safeguard Islamic heritage and foster collaboration to address global challenges.

For the occasion of Founding Day, observed on Feb. 22, the Cabinet expressed pride in the history of the Saudi state, its deep-rooted heritage and its three-century-long civilization. It commended the nation’s achievements in fostering unity, justice and continuous progress.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s prominent position among the top 10 global markets for battery energy storage, marked by the start of operations at the 2,000-megawatt-hour-capacity Bisha project. This reflects the transformation of the energy sector and the Kingdom’s leadership in energy production as well as export.

The Cabinet commended the opening of regional headquarters for 600 international companies within the Kingdom, highlighting global recognition of Saudi Arabia’s economic stability, promising growth trajectory and strategic geographic location, supported by exceptional talent and expertise.


Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Updated 40 min 43 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

  • During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Developments in regional and international events, views on them, and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability were also discussed by the officials. 

The meeting came after Lavrov participated in US-Russian talks hosted by the Kingdom on ending the war in Ukraine. 

Later on Tuesday, Prince Mohammed received the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.


World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

Updated 18 February 2025
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World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

  • Next edition will be held under the theme The Future of Defense Integration, showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space
  • Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030

RIYADH: Organizers of Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show have announced an expanded exhibition area with several new sections for its third edition, which will be held in February 2026.

An additional hall will increase floor space to a total of 273,000 square meters, more than 58 percent larger than the first edition in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than 65 percent of the exhibition space is already sold out, according to the report.

The next edition will be held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration,” showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space.

Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030.

The next edition will be the most successful yet, said the event’s CEO Andrew Percy, as reported by SPA.

There will be more local and international participation, and the exhibition will focus more closely on technology including unmanned and marine defense systems.

New programs in the upcoming edition will include a defense and security industry lab, and an exhibition of future technologies.

A Saudi supply chain zone will allow local small and medium-sized enterprises to network with key players in global supply chains.

Positive feedback from the last two editions exceeded expectations, Percy said, allowing organizers to set new ambitious goals for this upcoming event.

The World Defense Show was first held in 2022 on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

It attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 military and defense delegations, and 65 thousand visitors from 85 countries, according to GAMI.

The second edition in 2024 saw over 106,000 people attend, with 441 delegations from 116 countries.

A total of 61 purchase contracts worth SR26 billion ($6.9 billion) were signed, according to GAMI.