US State Department Hails Saudi Arabia's Efforts in Combating Terrorism

People enter the State Department Building in Washington (Reuters)
People enter the State Department Building in Washington (Reuters)
TT

US State Department Hails Saudi Arabia's Efforts in Combating Terrorism

People enter the State Department Building in Washington (Reuters)
People enter the State Department Building in Washington (Reuters)

The US State Department applauded Saudi Arabia's efforts in combating terrorism and its measures to counter terrorist financing in 2022.

The state Department praised the Kingdom's efforts to raise standards and measures using modern technologies and tools in the security field, especially in combating terrorism and its financing, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Wednesday.

In its annual report on combating terrorism for 2022, the Department lauded the Kingdom for upgrading the security and international criteria for Saudi passports, adding that the new Saudi passport security features are comparable to the US' next-generation passport.

The Ministry of Interior scanned passenger manifests for inbound and outbound flights and monitored border crossings and traveler lists at the land, sea, and air crossing.

It also referred to Saudi efforts in combating terrorist and extremist discourse, enacting laws that criminalize these acts, noting that it promoted moderation and tolerance through governmental and non-governmental institutions in the Kingdom.

The Department highlighted the pivotal role of the Kingdom at the international and regional levels in supporting initiatives to combat terrorism and its financing and rejecting extremism and its discourses through the Kingdom's membership in several global and regional organizations engaged in counterterrorism cooperation.

The report indicated a significant drop in terrorist incidents in the Kingdom in 2022.



Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Riyadh on Thursday with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

They reviewed ways to strengthen the defense partnership between their countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests.

They also condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom, discussed their repercussions for security and stability, and exchanged views on regional developments.


UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
TT

UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)

The UN Security Council strongly condemned on Thursday the ongoing and escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including those that hit civil aviation and energy infrastructure, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

This includes the "reckless strikes" targeting King Khalid International Airport on October 10 and 11, which caused fatalities and injuries, as well as multiple strikes targeting other airports and Saudi Aramco facilities, said a statement.

Security Council members expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia in facing attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects on its territory, underlining its inherent right to self-defense in line with international law.

The statement reiterated the members' strong condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and threats against commercial navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, stressing the importance of maintaining the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.

Members emphasized the importance of full implementation of Resolution 2216 and subsequent resolutions, and called for practical cooperation, including with the government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons, related materiel, technical assistance, training, funding, and other forms of assistance related to military activities required to launch further attacks.

The statement demanded that the Houthis immediately halt their military escalation and attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, reiterating the Security Council's support for the Yemeni government and the strong commitment of its members to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.

Members reiterated their support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in his efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement.


Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
TT

Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh on Thursday on a visit to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

He was received upon arrival by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji.