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Syrian Conjoined Twins ‘Celine and Eleen’ Arrive in Riyadh

The twins will undergo medical assessments at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital of King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard, to evaluate their condition and the possibility of performing a separation surgery - SPA
The twins will undergo medical assessments at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital of King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard, to evaluate their condition and the possibility of performing a separation surgery - SPA
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Syrian Conjoined Twins ‘Celine and Eleen’ Arrive in Riyadh

The twins will undergo medical assessments at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital of King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard, to evaluate their condition and the possibility of performing a separation surgery - SPA
The twins will undergo medical assessments at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital of King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard, to evaluate their condition and the possibility of performing a separation surgery - SPA

Upon directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Syrian conjoined twins, Celine and Eleen Abdulmoneim Alshibli, along with their family, arrived Sunday at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

They traveled from Lebanon aboard a medical evacuation aircraft provided by the Saudi Ministry of Defense, according to SPA.
The twins will undergo medical assessments at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital of King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard, to evaluate their condition and the possibility of performing a separation surgery.
Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, who also serves as Head of the Surgical and Multidisciplinary Team, expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for this noble humanitarian initiative.

He emphasised that this act reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian values and its outstanding medical expertise. Dr. Al-Rabeeah further noted that the Kingdom’s comprehensive medical, humanitarian, and relief initiatives for those in need globally have solidified its position as a leader in humanitarian contributions.
Meanwhile, the family of the Syrian twins expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the leadership, government, and people of Saudi Arabia for the warm welcome and hospitality they have received since their arrival in Riyadh. They also conveyed their confidence in the skills of the Saudi surgical team, renowned for its exceptional medical expertise.

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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Hosting US-Ukraine Meeting Next Week

Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Hosting US-Ukraine Meeting Next Week

Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday plans to host a scheduled meeting between the US and Ukraine in Jeddah next week.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace to end the Ukraine crisis. It said Riyadh has pursued these efforts over the past three years by hosting several meetings on the issue.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, said on Thursday he would hold talks with a Ukrainian delegation on a framework for a peace deal to end the war, adding that a meeting with Ukrainian officials was planned in Saudi Arabia next week.

Later on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday. He said a team of Ukrainian negotiators would remain in the kingdom to work with US partners after his departure from Riyadh.

US news website Axios reported on Thursday that senior US and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

The report, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were expected to attend the talks.

Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with researchers from Saudi Arabia and the US about the implications of these announcements, particularly in light of recent developments between Washington and Kyiv.

Experts highlighted how Saudi Arabia’s success in mediating and facilitating talks between the US and Russia has created an opportunity for another mediation effort between Washington and Kyiv.

Brian Katulis, vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has previously hosted talks between Sudanese factions due to Sudan’s direct impact on its interests.

He noted that Riyadh’s role in facilitating discussions between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine war reflects its growing position as a mediator.

By bringing together opposing sides, including those engaged in direct or indirect conflicts, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its influence on the global stage.

Zelenskiy’s visit to Saudi Arabia appears to be a strategic move to regain diplomatic momentum following the suspension of US aid and to leverage Riyadh’s influence in facilitating peace talks, said Hisham Al-Ghannam, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and head of the National Security Program at Naif University for Security Sciences.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Ghannam described Zelenskiy’s decision as a significant diplomatic step amid rising tensions and shifting global dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine war.

He noted that the visit comes after a turbulent period in US-Ukraine relations, particularly following last week’s heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, which led Washington to suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

“All roads lead to Riyadh” is more than just a phrase, said Saudi international relations researcher Salman Al-Ansari.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he stressed that Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts are serious and genuine in contributing to global security.

He added that the international community’s trust in Riyadh is the result of its consistent and strategic engagement on the world stage.