Saudi Arabia, US Stress Importance of Short-Term Ceasefire Agreement in Sudan 

A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, US Stress Importance of Short-Term Ceasefire Agreement in Sudan 

A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)
A Sudanese flag rests on a wheelbarrow as a volunteer (not pictured) collects garbage to clean-up a street in southern Khartoum, on May 23, 2023, after a one-week ceasefire between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces officially went into force. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia and the United States stressed on Tuesday the importance of the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan.

The agreement was signed by the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah on May 20.

After five weeks of continued conflict, the Sudanese people badly need the humanitarian assistance and restored essential services that the short-term ceasefire is intended to enable, said the Kingdom and US in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

“The Saudi and US facilitators note with concern that neither side observed its commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour period after the agreement was signed and before it went into effect,” it added.

“While fighting in Khartoum appeared to be less intense than in recent days, the facilitators conveyed to the parties reports indicating that both sides violated the agreement. Those included reported offensive operations in Khartoum and El-Obeid, airstrikes and use of artillery,” it went on to say.

“Today in Jeddah, representatives to the Ceasefire Monitoring and Coordination Committee engaged constructively on humanitarian assistance deliveries and undertook to engage their respective chains of command allegations of ceasefire violations as the Committee seeks to verify the reports. Preparations for humanitarian assistance movements to deliver lifesaving assistance are underway.”

“The Sudanese people continue to suffer as a result of this devastating conflict. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States reiterate their commitment to the Sudanese people and demand that the parties fully abide by their commitments under this agreement for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to provide urgently needed humanitarian relief,” added the statement.



Saudi Interior Ministry Highlights Successful Efforts at Countering Narcotics

Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood. (SPA)
Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Highlights Successful Efforts at Countering Narcotics

Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood. (SPA)
Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood. (SPA)

Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, said on Tuesday that the Kingdom implemented a comprehensive security campaign that successfully dealt with drug-related crimes.
He said the campaign entailed coordinated security plans involving all concerned parties.
Dawood, who led the Kingdom's delegation to the 2nd Baghdad International Conference on Countering Narcotics 2024 held in Iraq on Monday, stressed the need to strengthen efforts among the participating nations to control the spread of narcotics and to discuss mechanisms to stop drug trafficking.
He emphasized that countering smuggling and drug trafficking fall in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 top priorities.
Dawood highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to dealing with the dangers posed by drugs to the security and stability of society by harnessing national capabilities to raise the society's awareness to this threat.