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are currently working with the agency to finalize all necessary subsidiary agreements for the SQP to be effectively rescinded by the end of December of this year."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



Saudi Arabia Welcomes General Assembly Resolution on Israel's Obligations

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes General Assembly Resolution on Israel's Obligations

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed a United Nations General Assembly resolution requesting the International Court of Justice to issue a legal advisory opinion regarding Israel’s obligations concerning the activities of the UN and other states in support of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The resolution was sponsored by Norway in partnership with Saudi Arabia and several other countries.

The resolution, aimed at supporting and assisting the Palestinian people under the current circumstances, reflects a clear international consensus on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, the ministry said.

It added that the Kingdom appreciates the positive stance of the countries that voted in favor of the resolution.