Saudi Arabia to Switch from SQP to Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with IAEA 

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Saudi Arabia to Switch from SQP to Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with IAEA 

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the Kingdom has submitted a request to the IAEA in July 2024 to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol and implement to the full Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

His remarks came curing the IAEA's annual General Conference.

"We are currently working with the agency to finalize all necessary subsidiary agreements for the SQP to be effectively rescinded by the end of December of this year."

According to Reuters, the move was commended by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.

Prince Abdulaziz announced a year ago that his country had decided to scrap the SQP.



Albudaiwi, Pedersen Discuss Means of Preserving Syria's Unity, Security

The Syrian flag is flown at half-mast in Damascus on May 20, 2024 (AFP)
The Syrian flag is flown at half-mast in Damascus on May 20, 2024 (AFP)
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Albudaiwi, Pedersen Discuss Means of Preserving Syria's Unity, Security

The Syrian flag is flown at half-mast in Damascus on May 20, 2024 (AFP)
The Syrian flag is flown at half-mast in Damascus on May 20, 2024 (AFP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi held a phone call with GCC Secretary General and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.

During the call, the two sides stressed that the GCC countries support all efforts aimed at preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty, and security, and stand with the Syrian people.
According to SPA, they also discussed regional and international efforts aimed at preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty, and security, as well as the latest developments in the region and ways to boost cooperation.
Albudaiwi stressed that the GCC countries support all endeavors that help achieve stability, prosperity, and security for the Syrian people, and the importance of solidarity, on the part of the international community, in supporting efforts to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Syrian crisis that respects Syria's unity and sovereignty, and contributes to building a better future for Syria and its people.