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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the start of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan, and the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.

It also welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of the Peace Council, and expressed its appreciation for his leadership and efforts to stop the war in Gaza, his commitment to withdraw the Israeli army, prevent the annexation of any part of the West Bank, and push towards sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the efforts of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.

It stressed the importance of supporting the work of the Interim Palestinian National Committee to carry out its tasks in managing the daily affairs of the residents of the Gaza Strip, while maintaining the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring the unity of Gaza, and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also stressed the need to establish the ceasefire, stop violations, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, speed up the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza, and prepare for the return of the Palestinian National Authority to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank, and the embodiment of an independent Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the principle of the two-state solution.

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Gulf

Rakan bin Salman Appointed Governor of Diriyah at Critical Juncture in its Transformation 

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
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Rakan bin Salman Appointed Governor of Diriyah at Critical Juncture in its Transformation 

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)
Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Social media)

Prince Rakan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has taken the helm of what is widely regarded as the Kingdom’s crown jewel, following the issuance of a royal order appointing him Governor of Diriyah.

The appointment came as part of a series of royal decrees issued on Thursday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, highlighting the strategic importance of Diriyah at a critical juncture in its transformation.

Diriyah holds a unique place in Saudi history as the birthplace of the Saudi state and a powerful symbol of national unity. Today, an ambitious development program is reshaping the area into a globally prominent cultural destination, echoing its historic role as a commercial hub and a flourishing center of learning and culture.

Prince Rakan bin Salman’s appointment coincides with a defining moment for the governorate, which is transitioning from a historic capital of the early Saudi state into a world-class cultural and tourism destination designed for the 21st century.

Born in 1997, Prince Rakan is the youngest son of King Salman. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh, bringing a legal background to a role that blends heritage preservation with modern governance.

His leadership comes amid unprecedented momentum in Diriyah’s development. No longer viewed merely as a historic site, Diriyah has become a vast, integrated development zone with ambitions to attract up to 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

At the forefront of the new governor’s agenda is a portfolio of landmark projects, most notably the multibillion-dollar Diriyah Gate development. The project encompasses the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside broader plans to reinforce Diriyah’s position as a global hub for arts, culture, and immersive international experiences.

Gulf

Khalid Al-Yousef: From the Halls of the Judiciary to the Helm of the Public Prosecution

Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef draws on an extensive background and deep familiarity with the matters of the judiciary. (The Board of Grievances) 
Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef draws on an extensive background and deep familiarity with the matters of the judiciary. (The Board of Grievances) 
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Khalid Al-Yousef: From the Halls of the Judiciary to the Helm of the Public Prosecution

Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef draws on an extensive background and deep familiarity with the matters of the judiciary. (The Board of Grievances) 
Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef draws on an extensive background and deep familiarity with the matters of the judiciary. (The Board of Grievances) 

Dr. Khalid Al-Yousef has been appointed Saudi Arabia’s Attorney General, a choice that reflects the Kingdom’s continued drive to strengthen its legal and rights framework by entrusting leadership to figures who combine deep grounding in Islamic jurisprudence with modern legal thinking.

Al-Yousef has emerged as one of the legal and judicial figures closely associated with Saudi Arabia’s judicial transformation under Vision 2030.

This period has witnessed a sweeping shift toward the digitization of judicial and notarization services, a reduction in litigation timelines by more than 70 percent in some circuits, and the introduction of more than 160 services through electronic platforms and alternative dispute mechanisms.

He holds a doctorate in comparative jurisprudence (Fiqh) from the Higher Institute of Judiciary at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. His academic research has focused on bridging Sharia rulings with contemporary judicial systems, judicial oversight of administrative regulatory decisions, and administrative law and justice.

Before his appointment as Attorney General, Al-Yousef held a series of pivotal leadership positions at the Board of Grievances. He served as a judge in administrative, commercial, disciplinary, and criminal courts, issuing a wide range of rulings over the course of his career.

He also was a member of the Technical Affairs Office, which is responsible for legal opinions, research and studies, the classification of judicial rulings and principles, and jurisprudential and legal consultation.

His responsibilities at the Board of Grievances extended to overseeing the Decision Support Center, which includes the Development and Performance Oversight Office, as well as the Information and Reports Office and the Strategic Planning Office.

He also took part in teams tasked with drafting the strategic plan and performance management system, contributing to the Tenth Development Plan, supervising the electronic archiving of judicial rulings, and classifying and publishing court judgments.

In 2015, Al-Yousef was appointed President of the Board of Grievances. His tenure was marked by significant qualitative advances that coincided with Saudi Arabia’s broader judicial transformation, including the digitization of administrative courts and enhanced levels of transparency and legal clarity.

 

 

Gulf

Al-Saif: From Engineering Saudi PIF’s Strategy to Investment Minister 

Saudi Arabia's newly-appointed Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif. (PIF)
Saudi Arabia's newly-appointed Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif. (PIF)
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Al-Saif: From Engineering Saudi PIF’s Strategy to Investment Minister 

Saudi Arabia's newly-appointed Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif. (PIF)
Saudi Arabia's newly-appointed Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif. (PIF)

Fahad Al-Saif has been appointed Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia by royal order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, capping a career arc that brings financial expertise together with economic vision.

The appointment follows a pivotal tenure at the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), where he helped shape the Kingdom’s overarching investment strategy and led global investment financing.

The move comes at a moment when efforts to attract foreign capital and deepen international partnerships are accelerating.

Drawing on deep experience in capital structuring, market and sustainability strategies, and the management of relationships with financial institutions and investors, Al-Saif is set to usher the Ministry of Investment into a new phase, one defined by the integration of strategic planning with smart financing to support the goals of Vision 2030.

At the PIF, Al-Saif served as Head of Global Investment Financing and previously led the General Department of Investment Strategy and Economic Studies.

Beyond his executive roles, Al-Saif has held a number of prominent board positions. He chaired the boards of Emaar Economic City and aircraft lessor AviLease, and served as a board member of the Saudi Insurance Authority, ACWA Power, the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company, and the regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company. He also held the position of Vice Chairman of Bahri.

Al-Saif brings more than 20 years of experience across corporate banking, investment, and global banking services. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and board member of the National Debt Management Center, acted as an adviser to the Minister of Finance, and founded the Public Debt Management Office at the Ministry of Finance.

His past board memberships include the National Center for Privatization, Gulf International Bank – Saudi Arabia, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation.

Earlier in his career, Al-Saif spent several years in the banking sector, holding multiple positions at the Saudi First Bank and senior leadership roles at HSBC Saudi Arabia. He also led the initial public offering of the National Commercial Bank and served on the advisory committee of the Capital Market Authority.