Sudan on the agenda as Saudi foreign minister participates in Arab ministerial group meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in meeting on Sudan with Egyptian counterpart and Arab League secretary-general. (SPA)
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Updated 18 May 2023
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Sudan on the agenda as Saudi foreign minister participates in Arab ministerial group meeting

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday participated in a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group to discuss developments in Sudan, the Kingdom’s ministry announced.

The meeting, which was in Jeddah on the sidelines of the ministerial preparatory meeting for the 32nd Arab Summit on Friday, was held with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The meeting looked at the most important contents of the Jeddah Declaration, including the commitment to protect civilians in Sudan.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed on Thursday a declaration — with the facilitation of Saudi Arabia and the US — agreeing to international humanitarian law to help action to meet the needs of civilians.

Under the “Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan,” the rival parties also promised to prioritize discussions “to achieve a short-term cease-fire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services.”

Prince Faisal said that all efforts would be made to consolidate the agreement, and urged the parties in the conflict to seriously engage in the dialogue process, which would contribute to reducing the suffering of the Sudanese people, and the safety and territorial integrity of their lands.

The meeting also discussed ways of continuing the efforts of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group with all Sudanese parties to uphold the higher interests of Sudan and reach solutions that would meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people toward security, stability and development.

The group was formed earlier this month following an Arab League Council resolution to communicate with Sudanese parties and major countries to reach a settlement to the crisis.

Meanwhile, Prince Faisal participated in a number of Arab committee meetings on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting, which included a meeting on Turkiye headed by Egypt; a ministerial committee to support the State of Palestine headed by Algeria; and a ministerial committee in charge of studying proposals of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to modernize, develop and strengthen the Arab League.

Discussions took place on strengthening joint action to comprehensively protect Arab security; developing and supporting water and food security for all Arab countries; and following up on the political developments of the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict.


UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh

Updated 11 January 2025
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UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh

  • Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji

RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.

Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.

New Syrian foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani also arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening to participate in the ministerial meeting.

He was also welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Al-Khuraiji.


Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace

Updated 11 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace

  • The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.

The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.


GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Updated 11 January 2025
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GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.

During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.​

 

 


Saudi authority issues health warning on food import

Updated 11 January 2025
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Saudi authority issues health warning on food import

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.

The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.

Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.

Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.

The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.


Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative

Updated 11 January 2025
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Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative

RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.

The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.

The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.