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
TT
20

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.



Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
TT
20

Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt is intensifying its measures to prevent another crisis of illegal Hajj pilgrims, which had taken place in 2024 when thousands of people exploited visas to enter Saudi Arabia to illegally perform the Hajj.

Egyptian authorities had warned companies against flying travelers without the right visa. Coordination and communication are ongoing with Saudi authorities over the issue.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei for talks on the measures Cairo is taking ahead of the upcoming Hajj season to avoid another crisis.

Egypt has formed a committee, headed by the prime minister, to manage the Hajj crisis.

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said the ambassador stressed that firm measures will be taking against companies that commit violations related to the Hajj.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formed a “crisis cell” that has referred 16 officials from a tourism company to the general prosecution for Hajj violations.

Egyptian authorities have hailed Saudi Arabia for providing all forms of support to legal pilgrims during the Hajj.

Member of the parliamentary tourism committee Ahmed Idriss said state agencies have taken measures to avert a new Hajj crisis in 2025.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said efforts have focused on combating fake entities that claim to be organizing Hajj trips, and on coordinating with Saudi authorities to crackdown on violators.