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Saudi FM Reiterates Demand for Immediate End to Gaza War 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosts a meeting about Gaza with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosts a meeting about Gaza with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi FM Reiterates Demand for Immediate End to Gaza War 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosts a meeting about Gaza with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosts a meeting about Gaza with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Moscow, Russia November 21, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Tuesday that “there can be no discussions about the future of Gaza before a ceasefire and cessation of all forms of violence against civilians.”

“This humanitarian tragedy cannot be justified with excuses of self-defense,” he said.

Prince Faisal made his remarks in Moscow where he, along with his Muslim and Arab counterparts, were visiting as part of a committee that was formed in wake of the extraordinary Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit that was held in Riyadh earlier this month to tackle the conflict in Gaza.

The committee, led by Prince Faisal, has been tasked with visiting influential countries to push for a ceasefire. China was the first stop of its tour; Russia is the second.

Prince Faisal reiterated the demand for an immediate end to the war on Gaza, calling for “the resumption of a serious and fair peace process” backed by international resolutions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said preparations must be made to launch a peace process based on the two-state solution.

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Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Friday a phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the telephone conversation, they discussed regional developments, their security and economic implications, and joint efforts to preserve regional stability, SPA said.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.

Gulf

Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Friday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed developments in the region, underscoring their continued coordination and consultations over them.