Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa mosque
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities to end the Israeli escalation, provide the necessary protection for civilians and exert all efforts to end the conflict. (AFP/File)
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Updated 18 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa mosque
  • It held the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for the repercussions of these continued violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa mosque by a group of extremists under Israeli forces’ protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Monday.

Through a foreign ministry statement, the Kingdom stressed that these practices are a blatant violation of all international norms and conventions, and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

It also held the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for the repercussions of these continued violations.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities to end the Israeli escalation, provide the necessary protection for civilians and exert all efforts to end the conflict.


Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister

Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister
Updated 13 sec ago
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Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister

Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister

RIYADH: The emir of Qatar received Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Doha on Tuesday.

During the visit, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prince Faisal discussed bilateral relations between their countries and ways to strengthen them in all fields.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and topics of common interest.

Prince Faisal is on an official visit to Qatar and also met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

The two officials reviewed relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and ways to develop them.

They also reviewed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields, and exchanged views on the latest developments.


Museum Professional Association established in Riyadh

Museum Professional Association established in Riyadh
Updated 26 September 2023
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Museum Professional Association established in Riyadh

Museum Professional Association established in Riyadh
  • Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar said the association’s primary objective was to manage and guide museums
  • Museum Professional Association was established in accordance with the Ministry of Culture’s strategy for the nonprofit sector

RIYADH: The National Center for Non-profit Sector has approved the establishment of a Museum Professional Association, which will be headquartered in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar has been appointed as chair of the association’s board of directors. Other board members include Tahani Al-Mahmoud as vice president, Laila Al-Faddagh as financial supervisor, and Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Noura Al-Gosaibi, Sarah Al-Omran and Noura Al-Zamil.

Princess Haifa said the association’s primary objective was to manage and guide museums, while fostering an environment that promoted innovation and professional development.

She added that it aimed to attract and support professional talent, organize training programs, provide the necessary tools and resources, recognize and honor artistic achievements and facilitate effective communication among professionals in the field.

The association was established in accordance with the Ministry of Culture’s strategy for the nonprofit sector. This aims to establish a diverse system of nonprofit organizations, including 16 professional associations in 13 cultural sectors across the Kingdom.


KSrelief, UNDP call for joint action to address humanitarian, development crises

KSrelief, UNDP call for joint action to address humanitarian, development crises
Updated 26 September 2023
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KSrelief, UNDP call for joint action to address humanitarian, development crises

KSrelief, UNDP call for joint action to address humanitarian, development crises
  • Organizations committed to aid projects globally including Yemen, Somalia
  • Nations should provide more financial support to deal with funding crisis, say officials

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief and the UN Development Programme recently organized a high-level roundtable discussion titled “The Humanitarian, Development, and Peace Nexus: From Theory to Practice with the Compass Towards 2030” on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York City.

Participating in the discussion, which was moderated by Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Arab States Abdallah Al-Dardari, were KSrelief’s Supervisor-General Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, and International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

Al-Rabeeah said that KSrelief was committed to providing humanitarian assistance to help alleviate suffering across the world, and ensure recovery and development that can lead to sustainable peace.

He added that if all these elements can be brought together, “we can hope to save lives at the onset of a crisis and also improve the lives of generations to come.”

KSrelief, he added, would keep expanding its partnership with the UNDP through projects in Yemen and Somalia.

Steiner said that the collective results of humanitarian, development and peace-building support in countries with protracted crises are essential to keep them on the right track to achieve the promise of prosperity for the world, as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the close of the roundtable discussion, KSrelief and the UNDP called for an integrated approach that links humanitarian, development and peace-building actors to face increasing humanitarian emergencies and development crises.

Earlier, the KSrelief chief participated in a high-level meeting on bridging the humanitarian funding gap with Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

The session was organized by Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the EU, in the presence of representatives from several countries and humanitarian organizations, on the sidelines of the UN assembly.

Al-Rabeeah said that humanitarian efforts must be combined to expand the scope of donor countries, bodies and individuals, and raise the level of coordination and impact of humanitarian aid.

He noted that Saudi Arabia holds annually the “Gift of Dates” campaign in partnership with the World Food Programme costing over $136 million, which benefits 72 countries around the world.

Al-Rabeeah said KSrelief has supported the global response to the COVID-19 crisis by providing vaccines, medical devices, medicines and care units.

Al-Rabeeah also attended a session on the Rohingya crisis with Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikha Hasina Wajid.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia has been a firm supporter of the international community’s stand vis-a-vis the Rohingya, to ensure they live in peace and dignity. He said that the Kingdom has hosted 260,000 Rohingya refugees, providing healthcare, employment and education at a cost of $2.25 billion.

He added that Saudi Arabia has also been supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and other countries over the past few years through 43 projects costing $186 million, for emergency relief, education, shelter and health.

In addition, he said KSrelief carried out 25 other projects costing more than $26 million.


Saudi authorities thwart massive hash-smuggling attempt

Saudi authorities thwart massive hash-smuggling attempt
Updated 26 September 2023
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Saudi authorities thwart massive hash-smuggling attempt

Saudi authorities thwart massive hash-smuggling attempt

RIYADH: Drug smugglers were caught with a massive 114,973 kg haul of cannabis in Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority found the drugs concealed in a vehicle’s boot as it passed through the Empty Quarter crossing.
The authority said it remains vigilant against smuggling, working closely with its partners in the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.
The authority urges the public to report any suspicious activity or information related to smuggling by contacting the responsible authorities.


Saudi Arabia, Arab world condemn deadly attack on Bahrain soldiers

Saudi Arabia, Arab world condemn deadly attack on Bahrain soldiers
Updated 41 min 53 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, Arab world condemn deadly attack on Bahrain soldiers

Saudi Arabia, Arab world condemn deadly attack on Bahrain soldiers
  • Houthis blamed for strike that killed 2, injured others near Yemen border
  • Egypt, OIC, Arab League slam those responsible, say peace talks in jeopardy

CAIRO: An attack on Saudi Arabia territory, blamed on the Houthis, that killed two Bahraini military personnel near the southern border with Yemen has been widely condemned.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry voiced its “condemnation and denunciation” of Monday’s “treacherous attack on the defense force of the Kingdom of Bahrain stationed on the southern border of the Kingdom, which resulted in the martyrdom of a number of its brave soldiers and the injury of others,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands by Bahrain and renews its stance of rejection to the continued flow of weapons to the terrorist Houthi militia as well as calls to ban arms export to Yemeni territories,” it said.

Bahrain’s military command said a drone attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels killed the two Bahraini soldiers — one of them an officer — at Saudi Arabia’s southern border early Monday. The soldiers had been patrolling the area.

The military’s statement, carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency, said “a number” of Bahraini soldiers were also wounded in the strike, without elaborating.

“This terrorist attack was carried out by the Houthis, who sent aircraft targeting the position of the Bahraini guards on the southern border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia despite the halt of military operations between the warring sides in Yemen,” the statement said.

Egypt called for “concerted regional and international efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms and to put an end to practices that aim to destabilize the sisterly Arab countries.”

Condemning the “heinous terrorist attack carried out by the Houthi group” Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said the country “extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, its leadership and people, and to the families of the victims in this great tragedy,” wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation sent its condolences to the families of the two individuals killed, and to the government and citizens of Bahrain.

Hussein Ibrahim Taha, the OIC’s secretary-general, said such provocative actions were incompatible with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Yemen crisis. 

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the “continuation of the treacherous Houthi attacks despite the legitimate government’s commitment to the truce and ceasefire.”

He held “the Houthi side responsible for the continued suffering of Yemenis,” and said that the militia “stubbornly rejects all calls for peace and insists on continuing the violence and sabotage.”

The bodies of the fallen servicemen arrived on Monday at the Isa Air Base on board a Royal Bahraini Air Force aircraft, the Bahrain New Agency said.

Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defense Force, received the bodies of Lt. Mubarak Hashel Zayed Al-Kubaisi and Cpl. Yaqoub Rahmat Moulai Mohammed.

Hopes for peace were boosted in March when Saudi Arabia struck a rapprochement deal with Iran, which has backed the Houthis.

The following month, Mohammed Al-Jaber, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, traveled to Sanaa to meet Houthi officials in what he described as a bid to “stabilize” last year’s truce.

Last week, Houthi officials completed five days of talks in Riyadh, the first public visit by a Houthi delegation to Saudi Arabia since hostilities broke out.