First Flight Carrying Hajj Pilgrims from Syria’s War Wounded Set to Arrive in Jeddahhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5146330-first-flight-carrying-hajj-pilgrims-syria%E2%80%99s-war-wounded-set-arrive-jeddah
First Flight Carrying Hajj Pilgrims from Syria’s War Wounded Set to Arrive in Jeddah
The flight will be carrying 192 Syrians who have suffered severe injuries during the 14-year conflict. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Syrian people have waited several long years for this opportunity. On Friday, the first flight carrying the country’s war wounded is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia where they will perform the Hajj.
The direct flight will land in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport from Damascus. It will be carrying 192 Syrians who have suffered severe injuries during the 14-year conflict. This will mark the Syrians’ first journey to the Hajj in years after flights were suspended due to the war.
The flight was possible through a presidential grant allotted to the relatives of martyrs and wounded. Organizers have said that Saudi Arabia has not spared an effort in facilitating the arrival and accommodating the pilgrims.
Dr. Fayez Matar, who was involved in the process in Syria, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the flight was unprecedented and was being operated by a foreign company.
The injuries suffered by the pilgrims are severe and complex, and include double amputations, complete loss of vision, the loss of one eye, amputations of upper limbs, amputations below the knee and amputations above the knee, partial paralysis, and one case of a full body burn.
On how the pilgrims were chosen, Matar explained that the process was organized by a dedicated committee and focused on people who were injured during the recent years of the war, especially people who were involved in liberation operations against the ousted regime.
Some spots were allocated to people who have older injuries.
The names were chosen in a draw that covered all Syrian regions and was held under the direct supervision of dedicated committees to ensure transparency and fairness, continued Matar.
A number of the travelers spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat from Damascus airport. They expressed their joy and gratitude at the opportunity to perform the Hajj.
Wadih Hajj Mahmoud, from the city of Atarib in southern Aleppo, bid farewell to his wife and four children. Holding back tears, he told Asharq Al-Awsat: “After all the pain and loss we have been through, God has given us the opportunity to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.”
“It is difficult to describe this moment,” he added.
He revealed that he was wounded in August 2016 when he was inspecting a position in the al-Rashideen area west of Aleppo. “I was completely exposed to the enemy (regime army), when I was struck by a shell. It blew up at my feet,” he said, leaving him with an amputation.
“Despite this, I remained determined. I was among the first fighters to storm Aleppo during its liberation,” he added.
Another traveler, Jomaa Qaddour al-Sheikh, another father of four, said he was overwhelmed with emotion at taking the first steps in his Hajj journey.
He lost his left leg in August 2012 during fighting with regime forces. He said several of his comrades were martyred during the battle.
As he made his way to the holy city of Makkah, he said that the pain he was feeling was slowly fading away.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talkshttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5286797-saudi-arabia-egypt-pakistan-t%C3%BCrkiye-push-swift-progress-us-iran-talks
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talks
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pushed for swift progress in US-Iran talks at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, as negotiations between the two foes began in Switzerland.
In a joint statement, the ministers called for a "swift and successful conclusion" to negotiations aimed at reaching a solution to outstanding issues that is "lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable", while taking into account regional concerns, particularly the security and stability of Gulf states.
The meeting also addressed the Israeli military escalation against Lebanon and stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultations to sustain the diplomatic track, mitigate the repercussions of the crisis, and restore security and stability across the region.
Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan.
Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairohttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5286607-saudi-fm-attends-meeting-egyptian-and-turkish-counterparts-and-us-adviser-cairo
Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a meeting in Cairo with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Türkiye's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, and Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The participants discussed a range of regional developments, with a particular focus on the situations in Sudan and Libya, and reviewed ongoing joint efforts to promote security, stability, and political solutions in both countries.
The meeting was also attended by Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan, Adviser to the Saudi Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini.
Lebanese Exports to Saudi Arabia Resume as First Containers Head to Jeddahhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5286439-lebanese-exports-saudi-arabia-resume-first-containers-head-jeddah
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).
Lebanese Exports to Saudi Arabia Resume as First Containers Head to Jeddah
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).
The first shipments of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia have departed from Beirut, marking the resumption of trade after a five year suspension imposed because of large scale smuggling of illicit goods into the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia reversed its decision last week in light of the positive results achieved through Lebanon's stricter security measures at ports, airports, and land border crossings.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pledged on Saturday that Lebanon "will never again allow itself to become a launching point for any harm against our Arab brothers. Rather, it will be a partner in their security, stability, and prosperity."
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al Dossari reaffirmed his country's support for "Lebanon's stability, its sovereignty over all its territory, the well being of its people, and the prevention of its use as a platform to harm its brothers."
His remarks came during a ceremony marking the departure of the first Lebanese exports to Jeddah Port following the Saudi decision to lift the ban on Lebanese imports.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned from Lebanese sources that Beirut is moving toward tighter oversight of exports and is preparing a mechanism expected to be launched soon that will enable direct cooperation with Saudi authorities to detect and prevent smuggling operations. Under the mechanism, scanning devices operating at ports, airports, and land crossings will be directly linked to their counterparts at Saudi entry points, allowing Saudi authorities to monitor incoming shipments and verify them in real time.
Once implemented, the system will allow officials at Jeddah Islamic Port to review scanner results immediately after cargo passes through inspection. Saudi authorities will be able to intervene to halt suspicious shipments or request manual inspections whenever concerns arise. The same data will also be available directly to Lebanese customs officials, who monitor the information on large screens in Beirut.
Lebanese authorities hope to expand the system in the future to other countries, including states that export goods to Lebanon, enabling Lebanese customs officials to monitor shipments bound for Lebanon in a similar manner.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed on June 10 that Lebanese exports to the Kingdom be resumed in light of the "positive steps" taken by the Lebanese government to rebuild state institutions. The decision came in response to a request from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security procedures at the Port of Beirut (Asharq Al Awsat).
The first container bound for Jeddah Islamic Port departed on Saturday following the lifting of the ban on Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia. The event was attended by Salam, several ministers, and Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to Beirut, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al Dossari.
In his remarks, Ambassador Al Dossari said: "Based on the positive steps taken by the Lebanese state, we gather today to witness the relaunch of the first Lebanese exports to the Kingdom."
He added: "This step confirms Saudi Arabia's support for Lebanon's stability, its full sovereignty over all its territory, and the well being of its people. It also reflects the Kingdom's confidence in the Lebanese state's ability to take the necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a platform to harm its brothers."
A Moment Lebanon Has Long Awaited
Speaking from the Port of Beirut as the first container departed, Prime Minister Salam said Lebanon was "witnessing a moment it has awaited for a long time, namely the departure of the first containers bound for Jeddah Port after the lifting of the ban on Lebanese exports to the Kingdom."
He added: "I recall standing in this very place on November 25 last year. At that time, I said frankly that Lebanon had been used as a transit point for the export of illicit goods to a number of Arab countries, with the Kingdom, unfortunately, at the forefront. I also said that our ability to control our exports was a fundamental condition for lifting the ban, and that the installation of scanning equipment meant that the lifting of restrictions on Lebanese exports was drawing near."
Salam continued: "But we did not stop at installing modern scanning equipment at the ports of Beirut and Tripoli to monitor everything entering and leaving Lebanon. After appointing a new port administration composed of experienced and qualified professionals, and later a new customs administration, we worked to tighten border control measures with Syria and strengthened efforts to combat smuggling in all its forms."
Salam reiterated: "We will never again allow Lebanon to become a launching point for any harm against our Arab brothers. Rather, it will be a partner in their security, stability, and prosperity."
A Return of Hope for Thousands of Farmers
Salam noted that Saudi Arabia "was, before the ban, by far the largest market for our exports. Today, with the departure of this container, we are returning to those markets. I hope not only that we regain the level of exports we had before the ban, but that we surpass it."
He stressed that "our return to Saudi markets means the return of hope to thousands of farmers in the Bekaa, the South, and the North, to factories that survived the most difficult circumstances, and to all exporters who have waited a long time for this day."
He added that "this decision does not revive just one sector. It activates an entire economic chain, helps create job opportunities, and ensures an inflow of hard currency."
Salam pointed out that "this decision comes at a stage when Lebanon needs every possible measure to stimulate its economy and strengthen the capabilities of its productive sectors."
He added: "We hope this step will be followed by further measures that strengthen cooperation and facilitate travel between our two countries."
Salam continued: "From this platform, in the name of the Lebanese state and in my personal name, I renew my thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his generous decision to lift the ban on exports from Lebanon. Lebanon values its deep historical ties with Saudi Arabia and highly appreciates the role played by its leadership over decades in supporting Lebanon, its stability, and its institutions."
Five Year Ban
The Saudi ban began in 2021 on agricultural imports before being expanded to include all goods. It was linked to the smuggling of the narcotic Captagon after smugglers and criminal networks used Lebanon as a platform for trafficking drugs into the Kingdom.
The move increased pressure on Lebanon's already collapsing economy, which had been struggling with a severe financial crisis since 2019, particularly as agricultural exports lost access to their traditional Gulf markets. Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia totaled approximately $240 million in 2020.
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