RIYADH: The dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, hosted a farewell ceremony for outgoing ambassadors of the United States, Egypt and Oman at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

“We have gathered here for ambassador of Egypt, Ahmed Farouk, ambassador of Oman, Sayyid Faisal bin Turki, and the US ambassador Michael Ratney. The meeting marks the conclusion of their tenure as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. We have them here representing three continents, Africa, Asia and America,” Bamakhrama said in his opening remarks.

“All of them were very close to me and to many of our colleagues. Ambassador Farouk was here for more than five years, which is extraordinary for an Egyptian ambassador. Sayyid Faisal was my neighbor in the DQ (diplomatic quarter) and we had a great time. Michael has been here for two years. I wish them all the very best in their future endeavors. We will miss you, and wishing you all the best,” said Bamakhrama, who is also Djibouti’s ambassador in Riyadh.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps Bamakhrama presented souvenirs to the outgoing ambassadors.

At the same event he introduced new ambassadors in Riyadh from Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, Palestine, Peru and Uruguay.

Ratney, in his farewell speech, said: “I wish I were staying in this country longer. It’s been, for me, an amazing experience to have a front row seat for what’s going on in Saudi Arabia, the amazing transformations of this country. And to have played even a small part in strengthening the relationship between Saudi Arabia and my country was an honor.

“Saudi Arabia is a country of tribes,” he said. “I feel like you are my tribe. Every time I walk in this room or one of your homes or an event, I feel like I am home. And I tell you, when I got to the country and started meeting the diplomats, I remarked that the quality of diplomats that all of your governments were sending to Saudi Arabia was extraordinary. And I thought, I need to step up my game. You all gave me a standard to try to meet, and it’s been just an extraordinary pleasure every time I am with you. I will miss all of you. I hope this is the end of my 34-year diplomatic career, and it’s time to move on.”

Farouk at the gathering said: “Thank you all for convening all our distinguished colleagues here. I have mixed feelings after 40 years of diplomacy since 1985. This is the end of my diplomatic career, and I believe that life has to come to a crossroads sometime.”

On a lighter note he added that sometimes there is a chance to make a U-turn and come back.

“I am glad, and I feel that I have achieved something for my country in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I wish you all the best and wish the very best in your future endeavors, we will be in touch.”

Bin Turki said: “Just like my colleagues, I think, I definitely have mixed feelings. As a non-diplomat, I joined the ministry of foreign affairs in 2017. I never thought I would be appointed as an ambassador, but I ended up being an ambassador. And the first thing I had in mind when I came here, I said I wish they would give ambassadors a manual, the do’s and don’ts, but it doesn’t happen.

“For someone who is not coming from that background it’s quite a challenge. And the first thing I told my team when I walked into the embassy, I said, I have two options: I either become a classic ambassador, or someone who thinks out of the box. And I said, you will be teaching me everything that you are good at as diplomats, and I will be sharing with you everything that I know as a non-diplomat. And now I am the new diplomat. And it has been an extraordinary journey in this country, an amazing place. Four years, and it feels like yesterday.

“I keep telling people about the amazing things that are happening in Saudi Arabia and the amazing people that I meet every day. It’s a journey and I would like to thank everyone, the dean of diplomatic corps, all of you extraordinary people. I learned a lot and back home, I would love to share those stories, whether it’s with family and others as well.”

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has continued to provide aid to the people of Syria as part of various humanitarian missions.

On Monday, a relief plane — the 14th so far — arrived in Damascus from Riyadh, carrying food, shelter and medical supplies for those facing challenging conditions, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

In Harasta town, Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed 399 bags of flour, blankets and personal care kits, benefiting 532 people.

The Saudi aid agency also distributed shopping vouchers to 56 beneficiaries in Jindires town, Aleppo governorate, enabling them to purchase winter clothing from designated stores.

In Talbiseh town, Homs governorate, KSrelief distributed 327 food baskets, winter kits and personal care kits for 529 people.

These efforts, in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, are part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people.

According to KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s total aid to Syria from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.

Meanwhile, in the northern Gaza Strip, the Saudi aid agency is providing support to returning residents in Jabalia.

KSrelief’s executive partner in Gaza, the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, has provided essential items such as blankets, mattresses, cooking utensils and more to help families who lost everything due to the widespread destruction.

Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,306 projects worth almost $7.3 billion in 105 countries, in partnership with 461 local, regional and international organizations.

Its programs include food security, water sanitation, health, education, emergency aid, nutrition, protection, early recovery and telecommunications.