Saudi Crown Prince, Macron Discuss Developments in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with French President Emmanuel Macron. SPA photo
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with French President Emmanuel Macron. SPA photo
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Saudi Crown Prince, Macron Discuss Developments in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with French President Emmanuel Macron. SPA photo
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with French President Emmanuel Macron. SPA photo

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense met with French President Emmanuel Macron immediately upon his arrival in Riyadh late Thursday on a visit to the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, they reviewed Saudi-French relations, the strategic partnership between the two countries and discussed opportunities to further develop bilateral cooperation in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, SPA said.

They also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and the efforts being exerted for the security and stability of the region, including joint coordination in the fight against terrorism, the agency said.

Macron condemned a ballistic missile launched by Houthi insurgents in Yemen on Saudi Arabia, stressing France's solidarity with the Kingdom, SPA added.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and a number of officials.



UAE, Iran Discuss Cooperation to Achieve Joint Interests, Support Security

The UAE and Iranian officials hold talks in Tehran. (WAM)
The UAE and Iranian officials hold talks in Tehran. (WAM)
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UAE, Iran Discuss Cooperation to Achieve Joint Interests, Support Security

The UAE and Iranian officials hold talks in Tehran. (WAM)
The UAE and Iranian officials hold talks in Tehran. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates Minister of State and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar kicked off on Wednesday an official visit to Iran.

He met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani and Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Dr. Mahdi Safari in Tehran.

The talks focused on bilateral relations between the UAE and Iran and ways to expand cooperation to achieve shared interests and promote regional stability and prosperity, reported the UAE’s state news agency (WAM).

The officials also exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.


KSrelief Continues to Provide Aid to People Affected by Earthquake in Aleppo

Up to 830 foodstuff and 830 hygiene kits were distributed in Rajo, benefiting 830 families - SPA
Up to 830 foodstuff and 830 hygiene kits were distributed in Rajo, benefiting 830 families - SPA
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KSrelief Continues to Provide Aid to People Affected by Earthquake in Aleppo

Up to 830 foodstuff and 830 hygiene kits were distributed in Rajo, benefiting 830 families - SPA
Up to 830 foodstuff and 830 hygiene kits were distributed in Rajo, benefiting 830 families - SPA

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continue to distribute various relief supplies to people affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, northern Syria, where 830 foodstuff and 830 hygiene kits were distributed in Rajo, benefiting 830 families.

This comes as part of the humanitarian and relief aid that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides through KSrelief, to countries and people in need worldwide.

Also, a KSrelief volunteer medical team paid a visit to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to study the need to implement voluntary medical programs aimed at providing treatment to patients and training for health personnel, in coordination with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Iraq.

Health Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq Dr. Saman Barzanji welcomed the KSrelief team, pointing to the humanitarian role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its continuous support for Iraq in all humanitarian and relief sectors.

The medical team will make similar visits to the cities of Baghdad and Basra to complete the field study and develop a vision for the implementation of voluntary medical programs there.

The volunteer medical team of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) paid a visit to Erbil - SPA

 


Lebanese Officials: Kidnapping of Saudi National Won’t Affect Relations with Riyadh

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari speaks during a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari speaks during a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
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Lebanese Officials: Kidnapping of Saudi National Won’t Affect Relations with Riyadh

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari speaks during a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari speaks during a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)

The Lebanese army succeeded on Monday in freeing abducted Saudi national Mashari al-Mutairi hours after the news of his kidnapping broke out. The military arrested the majority of his captors, garnering praise for their efforts to uncover the perpetrators.

Military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the majority of the suspects were detained. They denied information that notorious drug dealer Monzer Zoaiter, also known as Abou Salleh, was behind the kidnapping. The sources confirmed however, that al-Mutairi’s captors were part of the most dangerous robbery, kidnapping and drug gangs in Lebanon.

A judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the case will be referred to the military judiciary for several reasons. Among them is that the kidnappers had disguised themselves as members of the army by donning military outfits. They had also kitted their vehicle to make it appear as if it were a military car.

Al-Mutairi was freed after the military intelligence directorate carried out a “sophisticated raid on the Lebanese-Syrian border”. His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of $400,000 for his release. He was reported missing overnight on Saturday, kicking off contacts on the highest levels for his release.

The military carried out another raid after the release. It targeted the houses of suspected kidnappers in the Sharawineh neighborhood in the eastern city of Baalbek. They also raided a captagon narcotic pills factory that belongs to the kidnappers. A clash between the military and suspects ensued during the raid. No one was injured.

After al-Mutairi's release, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared that Lebanon was keen on deterring any threat against Arabs visiting the country. Lebanon will not be used as a platform to threaten the security of Arab countries, he added.

He strongly condemned the abduction, congratulating the military on its major success in freeing the hostage and arresting the perpetrators.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri praised the military command and all security forces for their role in freeing al-Mutairi. He called on the security agencies to continue their efforts in pursuing everyone involved in the case.

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi met with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari on Monday. The ambassador hailed the efforts that led to the release of the captive, who had headed to the Saudi embassy soon after he was freed.

Mawlawi stressed that the abduction will not affect Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia, which he described as “deep and firm”.

“No one can threaten or undermine them,” he added, revealing that nine people have been arrested in connection to the crime.

“The independent Lebanese judiciary will look into this dangerous crime,” he went on to say.

“We will confront anyone who tries to harm our relations with Arab brothers. We thank them for their constant support to Lebanon,” stated the minister.

For his part, Bukhari praised the security and military forces in freeing the captive.

Al-Mutairi is well, he confirmed, saying he had endured a “trying 48-hour ordeal before he was freed.”

The security forces and Saudi authorities were in constant communication to ensure his release. The Kingdom, he remarked, is very keen on every Saudi abroad.

Praise poured in for the army after the release.

The Progressive Socialist Party hailed the military, stressing that it “rejects all attempts aimed at harming Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia.” It demanded that all suspects in the case be arrested and brought to justice.

Kataeb party leader MP Sami Gemayel saluted the army and security forces on their professional work. He called for laying down the harshest of punishments against the perpetrators and their backers so that others would be deterred from committing a similar crime in the future, significantly as Lebanon approaches its usually lucrative summer season.

“We have complete trust in the military institutions that alone work diligently in protecting the Lebanese people and all visitors to the country,” Gemayel tweeted.

MP Tony Franjieh warned that the abduction was an attempt to harm Lebanon’s security, economy and tourist season. He demanded that the necessary measures be taken against the perpetrators to restore the authority of the state, put an end to kidnapping, drug and robbery gangs and protect Lebanon’s relations with Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia.


The Complete Tale of Mashari al-Mutairi's Abduction from Beirut and Release Near Syrian Border

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi attend a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi attend a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
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The Complete Tale of Mashari al-Mutairi's Abduction from Beirut and Release Near Syrian Border

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi attend a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi attend a press conference at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon May 30, 2023. (Reuters)

The release of abducted Saudi national Mashari al-Mutairi is a remarkable success by Lebanese military intelligence against organized crime gangs because – in a first – it witnessed the arrest of several of the kidnappers. Previously, the majority of abductions were resolved but the perpetrators often remained at large.

The latest kidnapping exposed an organized crime network, which targets “lone foreigners”, that stretches from Beirut to the Syrian border region.

Mutairi’s ordeal began at a café in the Khaldeh region south of Beirut on Saturday. After spending a couple of hours there, he continued his night out at the Zaintuna Bay waterfront area in central Beirut at around midnight.

Investigators believe that he was being watched in Khaldeh by some locals whose task is to determine a “target” and that night it was al-Mutairi. The information was relayed to five people affiliated with the gang that monitored the target. They contacted the leader, Moussa Jaafar, who is wanted by authorities on kidnapping, extortion and drug-related charges.

They agreed on the target and as al-Mutairi was leaving Zaituna Bay in his vehicle at 3 am on Sunday, they pounced. They first followed him in their car before ramming into him in a secluded area. They quickly hauled him into their vehicle and headed east towards the Bekaa region.

They stopped at the Chtoura region to switch vehicles and made their way to the Sharawineh area in the Bekaa. They turned the hostage over to a group affiliated with Jaafar and received payment for their work.

Al-Mutairi was threatened and intimidated. The kidnappers seized his bank card and forced the hostage to give them his pin number. He deliberately gave them the wrong one, and after more physical and verbal threats, he gave them the right number. The kidnappers managed to withdraw a few thousand dollars, which, of course, was not enough for them. They next sent a text message from his phone demanding a ransom of $400,000.

In the meantime, the security forces were looking for clues. They tried to narrow down who the kidnappers may be given the long list of wanted fugitives operating in the east. The withdrawal of money gave them their first clue and later, the text message became a lead. The security forces questioned people at the Khaldeh café. They followed the lead to the Sid al-Bouchrieh area where they arrested a suspect, who revealed information about the kidnappers.

The information he provided led the army intelligence to the town of Jarmash in Syria. Its inhabitants are predominantly Lebanese from the Jaafar family. Moussa Jaafar, like many other residents there, make a living out of kidnapping.

A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Moussa is wanted by Lebanon for several crimes, including the abduction of an Iraqi and a Syrian. He is also wanted on drug-related charges.

With the suspect in sight, the army began pressuring his businesses in Lebanon and his family in Sharawineh. It raided the area and arrested some of his relatives. They made sure that Moussa was aware that they were on to him. Seven kidnappers linked to al-Mutairi's case were eventually arrested.

On Monday, the pressure mounted with the army raiding an area on the Lebanese-Syrian border. It reached more kidnappers and a clash ensued. The kidnappers abandoned the hostage and fled towards Syrian territory.

The army is now searching for more suspects, including an individual who opened fire at an army position after a military raid on a captagon warehouse in Sharawineh. The captagon dealers are also involved in the kidnapping.


Saudi Govt Follows up on Latest Developments Related to Jeddah Talks on Sudan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Follows up on Latest Developments Related to Jeddah Talks on Sudan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reviewed on Tuesday the latest regional and international developments, notably the situation in Sudan and the Jeddah talks on a ceasefire there.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The ministers discuss the ceasefire agreement that was reached at the Jeddah talks and arrangements to deliver humanitarian aid.

They highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to support political solutions in Sudan and bridge the divide between the warring parties.

The ministers were briefed on the messages King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from the president of the Comoros.

Media Minister Salman Al-Dosari said the government hailed the outcomes of the fifth round of the Saudi-Iraqi coordination council that was held in Jeddah. The meeting witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in several fields.

Riyadh and Baghdad stressed their determination to deepen their cooperation to achieve joint interests and bolster the security and stability of the region to speed up growth.

The ministers underscored Saudi Arabia’s participation in the 76th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva where it highlighted its efforts to reduce threats to global public health, help with pandemic preparedness and response, and come up with programs that promote the sustainability of human health.

It also praised the Kingdom's accelerated pace toward addressing climate change and supporting green and sustainable solutions through a package of initiatives that should contribute to reducing carbon emissions, including the construction of the world's largest green hydrogen production plant in NEOM.

The ministers underlined the government's keenness to develop and diversify the Kingdom's economy and improve the investment environment.

In this regard, the cabinet hailed the outcome of the Riyadh-hosted Saudi Special Economic Zones Investment Forum. At the event, agreements were signed, and licenses were granted to businesses seeking to work in these zones.


Lebanese Army Frees Abducted Saudi Citizen, Arrests Suspects

A general view of Beirut, Lebanon. (AFP/Getty Images)
A general view of Beirut, Lebanon. (AFP/Getty Images)
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Lebanese Army Frees Abducted Saudi Citizen, Arrests Suspects

A general view of Beirut, Lebanon. (AFP/Getty Images)
A general view of Beirut, Lebanon. (AFP/Getty Images)

The Lebanese army freed on Tuesday a Saudi citizen who was abducted over the weekend.

In a tweet, the military said an intelligence directorate patrol freed Mashari al-Mutairi during a “sophisticated operation on the Lebanese-Syrian border.” It also arrested the kidnappers.

Army commander Joseph Aoun confirmed the release of the captive and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed that Lebanon is keen on preventing any threat against Arab nationals.

Lebanon will not be used to threaten the security of Arab countries, he stressed.

Mutairi, who works for Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), was abducted overnight on Saturday with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of $400,000.

Conflicting reports had emerged over where he was kidnapped from.

Initial reports said the man was kidnapped on the airport road in Beirut, while Lebanese security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was abducted in a central district of the capital.

Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya television said he was nabbed after he left a restaurant in the waterfront Zaituna Bay area.


Tenth Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Sudan

The tenth Saudi relief plane arrives in Sudan. (SPA)
The tenth Saudi relief plane arrives in Sudan. (SPA)
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Tenth Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Sudan

The tenth Saudi relief plane arrives in Sudan. (SPA)
The tenth Saudi relief plane arrives in Sudan. (SPA)

The tenth Saudi relief plane, carrying 30 tons of foodstuff and medical supplies, arrived at Port Sudan International Airport, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

 

The aid is part of the Saudi relief airlift, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), to help the Sudanese people.

 

The airlift is being operated in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

 

It is a reflection of the noble humanitarian role played by Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to help all countries in need.


GCC Chief Stresses Importance of Cooperation with EU 

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi meets with EU representative of the Horn of Africa Dr. Annettt Weber in Riyadh. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi meets with EU representative of the Horn of Africa Dr. Annettt Weber in Riyadh. (GCC)
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GCC Chief Stresses Importance of Cooperation with EU 

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi meets with EU representative of the Horn of Africa Dr. Annettt Weber in Riyadh. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi meets with EU representative of the Horn of Africa Dr. Annettt Weber in Riyadh. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council stressed on Monday the importance of cooperation with the European Union on many levels to achieve joint interests and goals.

 

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi received EU representative of the Horn of Africa Dr. Annettt Weber at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh.

 

They discussed a number of issues, including GCC cooperation with the EU, especially in Africa, to better tackle affairs concerning peace, security, food supplies and political development.


Saudi Citizen Abducted in Beirut, Kidnappers Demand $400,00 Ransom

A general view of Beirut. (AFP)
A general view of Beirut. (AFP)
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Saudi Citizen Abducted in Beirut, Kidnappers Demand $400,00 Ransom

A general view of Beirut. (AFP)
A general view of Beirut. (AFP)

A Saudi citizen was kidnapped in the Lebanese capital Beirut overnight on Saturday.

The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of $400,000, while caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has vowed that they will be severely punished for their crime.

The Saudi embassy in Beirut confirmed the kidnapping from the victim’s relatives, who said they had lost contact with him early on Sunday.

The Lebanese authorities are carrying out contacts on the highest levels to uncover his whereabouts.

The man works for Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia).

A Saudi diplomatic source in Beirut described the development as “very dangerous”. The Saudi embassy is closely working with local authorities to find him.

Initial reports said the man was kidnapped on the airport road in Beirut, while Lebanese security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was abducted in a central district of the capital.

Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya television said he was nabbed after he left a restaurant in the waterfront Zaituna Bay area.

The kidnappers had followed him in their vehicles and were wearing military outfits. They took him to Beirut’s southern suburbs of Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, it added.

In a phone message, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of $400,000.

Mawlawi said the Internal Security Forces’ intelligence bureau was probing the case and that authorities were in close contact with Saudi Ambassador Waleed Bukhari.

“What happened harms Lebanon’s relations with its brothers,” he added. “The perpetrators will be harshly punished.”

In remarks to Al Arabiya television, the minister revealed that the Saudi national’s telephone could be traced to various locations in Beirut and that he was “well”.

Grand Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kabalan strongly condemned the kidnapping and “all other abductions that have targeted Arabs, especially Saudi brothers.”

He called on Lebanese authorities to strike with an iron fist and put an end to “this dangerous game.”

He warned that gangs and mafias were seeking to destabilize the country for petty goals.


Saudi Arabia Executes 2 Bahraini Men over Terrorist Activities

The Saudi Interior Ministry in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Executes 2 Bahraini Men over Terrorist Activities

The Saudi Interior Ministry in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia said it executed two Bahraini men in the Eastern Province on Monday after being convicted of belonging to a terrorist group wanting to destabilize the two kingdoms.

The Saudi Interior Ministry's announcement, carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, identified the men as Jaafar Sultan and Sadeq Thamer.

The statement said that the Specialized Criminal Court convicted the two men of belonging to a terrorist cell spreading chaos and smuggling explosives to be used inside Saudi Arabia.

They also communicated with other terrorists in Saudi Arabia and supported them to carry out terrorist acts.

They smuggled material used to build explosives. They concealed the material in sandy areas before later delivering them to the leader of the cell, a man wanted by Bahrani authorities, it added.

The Interior Ministry underscored the government’s keenness on consolidating security and achieving justice.