Saudi Arabia demands Hariri killers’ arrest ‘for the sake of justice’

A picture taken on August 18, 2020 shows a sign in front of the building of the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) at Leidschendam. (File/AFP)
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Updated 17 June 2022
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Saudi Arabia demands Hariri killers’ arrest ‘for the sake of justice’

  • ‘Evil’ Hezbollah agents given life sentences by UN-backed tribunal over deadly 2005 bombing
  • 2005 bombing had killed 21 other people and injured 226.

BEIRUT: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed the unanimous verdict handed down by a UN-backed court for Lebanon against two Hezbollah agents for their role in the 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and called on the international community to help arrest the perpetrators “for the sake of justice.”

On Thursday, the Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon sentenced Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi to five life sentences each for carrying out the bomb attack that killed Hariri and 22 others and left 226 people injured.

However, the two men were sentenced in their absence and Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and political movement, has refused to hand over the pair or a third man, Salim Ayyash, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2020.

Outlining the court’s decision, presiding judge Ivana Hrdlickova said that both Merhi and Oneissi were aware that Hariri would be killed in the attack, and added that the sentences reflected the “evil nature of terrorism.”

Saudi Arabia later called on “the international community to fulfill its responsibilities toward Lebanon and its people, who are suffering from the absurd terrorist practices of the Iranian-backed militia.”

It demanded “the implementation of the international resolutions relevant to Lebanon and the prosecution of the perpetrators who deliberately contributed to the loss of innocent lives, causing unprecedented chaos in the country.”

The Kingdom called for “their arrest for the sake of justice, and to defuse the crises experienced by Lebanon and its people over the past few decades due to their terrorist practices.”

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon Appeals Chamber said that “the crimes for which Merhi and Oneissi were convicted were extremely serious and that the aggravating circumstances set out by the prosecution in the indictment were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Norman Farrell, the tribunal’s prosecutor, said that the attack targeting Hariri “caused incredible pain and suffering to many victims and their families.”

Efforts by the Hezbollah agents “to deceive the public, protect themselves from justice and remain unaccountable have failed,” he added.

However, the prosecutor said: “It is not the last step toward accountability. Justice requires their arrest. I call on those who protect the three accused from justice to hand them over to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. I also call on the international community to take any steps available to assist in their arrest.”

The verdict issued by the cash-strapped tribunal on Thursday may well be one of its last acts.

Lebanon has stopped funding the UN-backed forum, which is estimated to have cost at between $600 million and $1 billion since its opening in 2009.

The trial file of Salim Ayyash for related offenses against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 remains before the court.

A Lebanese judicial source told Arab News that “the latest verdict is supposed to be communicated to the Lebanese Ministry of Justice in order to allow the competent security services to prosecute convicts wherever they may be and to engage Interpol.”

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the verdict condemns “Hezbollah as responsible for organizing and carrying out the crime, and as being the party that cannot evade responsibility for extraditing the convicted and carrying out the verdict.”

He added: “History will not be merciful.”

Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the verdict “proves once again the validity of our tendency to resort to international legitimacy to seek truth and justice in the assassination of Rafic Hariri and his companions.”

Bahaa Hariri, the eldest son of Rafic Hariri, said: “We found out the full truth and we are waiting for justice to be achieved. It should encourage us, the Lebanese, to be more united, and to safeguard the sovereignty and stability of our country.”


Saudi, Russian foreign ministers meet in Moscow

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi, Russian foreign ministers meet in Moscow

  • Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing relations and building on existing strategic partnerships

MOSCOW: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday, as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed Saudi-Russian ties and ongoing cooperation between the Kingdom and the Russian Federation, and discussed avenues for further collaboration across a range of fields, SPA added. 

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing relations and building on existing strategic partnerships.

The talks were followed by an official session, in which Prince Faisal and Lavrov underscored the depth of friendship between the Kingdom and Russia. It also included a wide-ranging discussion on key regional developments and joint efforts to support stability and security in the Middle East, including the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between Riyadh and Moscow on regional issues and shared interests in global energy markets and political coordination.


‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

Updated 04 July 2025
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‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

  • Artist’s work depicts serene scenes of mountains and lakes
  • Exhibition showcases cultural ties between China and Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Art Pure Gallery Foundation is currently hosting an exhibition, “Songs of Silence in Nature,” by the renowned Chinese artist Shu Li.

Organized in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the exhibition opened on June 24, 2024 and will run until July 25, 2025 in the Saudi capital. 

A leading figure in contemporary Chinese art, Shu Li has held distinguished roles within China’s national cultural institutions.

His works have been showcased in more than 20 countries, including the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy. 

He has received numerous international accolades in countries such as Russia, Belgium, the US, Ukraine and India, and is a distinguished academician of the Russian Academy of Arts. 

His paintings are featured in some of China’s most iconic venues, including the National Art Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.

He has also published more than 20 catalogues chronicling his artistic evolution. 

Shu Li’s work blends traditional Chinese techniques with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

Characterized by tranquil landscapes, his pieces often depict mist-shrouded mountains and serene lakes. These works invite viewers to enter a meditative and reflective state. 

“Art is not merely a visual encounter,” the artist explained, “but an emotional journey.

“Through my oil paintings, I aim to capture those fleeting moments of beauty that enrich our daily existence.

“My work is a dialogue between the canvas and the world it portrays — a world where light dances across surfaces and color speaks more powerfully than words.

“Each painting is an exploration of texture, form and the expressive potential of oil as a medium. I draw inspiration from nature, human experience and the myriad ways in which art connects us to both. I invite viewers to do more than just observe my work; I want them to feel it and enter the narrative that each painting weaves.”  

This exhibition is part of an increasing cultural dialogue between China and Saudi Arabia. It reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen their artistic exchange and deepen the ties between these two ancient and influential civilizations. 

Contemporary Chinese art embodies a rich synthesis of millennia-old traditions and modern perspectives.

Since the late-20th century, Chinese artists have experimented with various forms, including painting, sculpture, installation and video, to explore the tensions between heritage, rapid urbanization and evolving social realities.  

Often merging classical craftsmanship with avant-garde techniques, they explore themes of identity, collective memory and the challenges of the present age. 

Today, China’s vibrant art scene is widely recognized internationally, with many leading Chinese artists playing a pivotal role in reshaping the global contemporary art landscape. 

The Art Pure Gallery Foundation is a leading Saudi cultural institution founded in 1999.


AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

Updated 04 July 2025
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AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

  • Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds

RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.

He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.

Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.

This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.