Houthi Delegation Visits Saudi Arabia for Ceasefire Talks

An aid worker unloads food aid from a truck to be distributed to vulnerable families in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 September 2023. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
An aid worker unloads food aid from a truck to be distributed to vulnerable families in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 September 2023. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Houthi Delegation Visits Saudi Arabia for Ceasefire Talks

An aid worker unloads food aid from a truck to be distributed to vulnerable families in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 September 2023. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
An aid worker unloads food aid from a truck to be distributed to vulnerable families in Sanaa, Yemen, 13 September 2023. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

A Houthi delegation is set to carry out negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Friday, in the first such visit by the Iran-backed group since its coup in Yemen.

An Omani plane carrying a 10-member Houthi delegation and five officials from mediator Oman headed towards the Saudi capital, AFP reported on Thursday.

The Kingdom wanted to resume its and Oman's efforts to "reach a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen and a sustainable political solution acceptable to all Yemeni parties," the Saudi Press Agency said.

Reuters also said the discussions included paying salaries of the Yemeni employees, opening airports and ports falling under Houthi control, and reconstruction leading to a comprehensive political solution.

Saudi Arabia launched an initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis in 2021.

According to observers, the continuation of talks reflects Riyadh’s keenness on a political solution in Yemen.



Saudi FM Meets with Singaporean Counterpart, Signs MoU to Establish Strategic Partnership Council

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
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Saudi FM Meets with Singaporean Counterpart, Signs MoU to Establish Strategic Partnership Council

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Wednesday with his Singaporean counterpart. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday with Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.

The two officials reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance them in various fields to achieve the aspirations of the two leaderships and their peoples.

Following the meeting, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Strategic Partnership Council between the two countries. This reflects the commitment of both the Kingdom and Singapore to advance their relations across multiple domains, and aims to increase the volume of trade exchange, which reached $1 billion in 2024, thereby opening new horizons for cooperation between the two nations.

The meeting concluded with a press briefing delivered by Prince Faisal, during which he highlighted that the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Council represents a valuable opportunity to enhance cooperation and partnership across various sectors, particularly within the framework of initiatives linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Prince Faisal also emphasized that Singapore is one of the world’s most important financial hubs and that the Kingdom looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Singapore to achieve broader economic benefits.