Saudi Arabia renews condemnation of failed coup attempt in Sudan

During the cabinet meeting, King Salman expressed his thanks to countries that sent good wishes on Saudi National Day. (SPA)
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Updated 29 September 2021
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Saudi Arabia renews condemnation of failed coup attempt in Sudan

  • At a weekly Saudi Cabinet meeting, ministers also stressed the country’s visions contained in a speech delivered by King Salmon at the UN General Assembly 
  • Ministers agreed that Saudi Arabia preserves its legitimate right to defend itself against attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday renewed its condemnation of a failed coup attempt in Sudan last week which authorities blamed on plotters loyal to ousted president Omar Al-Bashir.

The Cabinet said the Kingdom also renewed its solidarity with the north African country in all aspects that support the security, stability, and prosperity of its government and people.

The statement came following a weekly council of ministers meeting that was chaired remotely by King Salman from NEOM.

At the meeting, the cabinet stressed Saudi Arabia’s visions contained in a speech delivered by the king at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. His speech earlier this month in New York City was on the current international issues and challenges the Kingdom faced along with the leading humanitarian, development, and economic role it plays.

The king also told member states that his country’s foreign policy attaches the utmost importance to consolidating security and stability, supporting dialogue and peaceful solutions, and providing conditions that support development in the Middle East and the world.

Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, Saudi Arabia’s acting minister of media, said the ministers agreed that the Kingdom preserves its legitimate right to defend itself against attacks by ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats. These attacks, carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen on a daily basis, target civilians, compromise international navigation, and threaten global energy supplies.

At the beginning of the session, King Salman expressed his thanks to the leaders of friendly countries for their sentiments and good wishes toward Saudi Arabia on the occasion of its 91st National Day on Thursday.

After that, the Cabinet was briefed on the overall talks and meetings that took place with a number of countries during the past week.

Bin Saeed said the cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s support for international and joint efforts to facilitate access to coronavirus vaccines around the globe despite intellectual property rights and relevant international treaties.

The ministers also approved a license for the National Bank of Egypt to open a branch in Saudi Arabia. They also authorized the finance minister to decide on any subsequent request to open other branches of the bank in the country.


New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

Updated 43 sec ago
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New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

  • Center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
  • Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.

These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.

He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.

These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.

The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.


Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

Updated 48 min 42 sec ago
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Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

  • Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
  • Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.

Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.

Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.

The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.

Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.

Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.


Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

Updated 27 November 2024
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Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.

Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.

The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.

Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.

The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.


Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.

The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.

KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.

Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.

This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.

In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.

The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.

The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.


Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

People celebrate after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect in Sidon, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. AP
Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

  • Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made to achieve the ceasefire, foreign ministry statement said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made in this regard and hopes that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and the safe return of the displaced to their homes,” the statement said. 

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah started on Wednesday morning after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the US and France.

The agreement ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in years.