King Salman Honors Secretary General of UNWTO

King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Dr. Talib Rifai at al-Yamamah Palace on December 12, 2017. SPA
King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Dr. Talib Rifai at al-Yamamah Palace on December 12, 2017. SPA
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King Salman Honors Secretary General of UNWTO

King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Dr. Talib Rifai at al-Yamamah Palace on December 12, 2017. SPA
King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Dr. Talib Rifai at al-Yamamah Palace on December 12, 2017. SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stressed that his country is looking forward to occupying an important position on the map of tourism and cultural heritage.

He pointed out to the comprehensiveness of tourism and its importance in education and a number of fields.

This came during his meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Dr. Talib Rifai at al-Yamamah Palace on Tuesday, where the latter bade farewell to the King on the occasion of the end of his term.

Rifai thanked the King for his great efforts in supporting the World Tourism Organization, stressing the Kingdom's great status in the World.

The meeting was attended by President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.

King Salman has requested granting the First Class King Abdulaziz Medal to Rifai in recognition of his great efforts during his supervision of the WTO and for his important role in directing part of the human resources potentials to support the efforts of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage in promoting tourism and national heritage conservation in the Kingdom.

President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage decorated the UNWTO Secretary-General with King Abdulaziz Medal during a meeting held on Tuesday between Prince Sultan and Dr. Rifai.

During the meeting, Prince Sultan lauded great efforts exerted by the UNWTO Secretary-General in consolidating relations between the WTO and the General Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

On the other hand, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received also Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom Yunus Demirer, who bade farewell to the King on the occasion of the end of his term as his country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The audience was attended by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.



Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
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Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Gideon Saar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi where the talks focused on bilateral relations between the two countries, WAM news agency said on Tuesday.
Discussions also addressed the latest developments in the region, particularly the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and the regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the urgent importance of advancing a serious political horizon to resume negotiations for achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, adding that this would contribute to establishing stability, achieving sustainable security in the region, and ending the escalating violence.
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and prevent the expansion of conflict in the region, noting that the priority is to end tension and violence, protect civilian lives, and make every effort to facilitate the flow of urgent humanitarian aid, added WAM.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the Middle East is experiencing unprecedented tension and instability, requiring enhanced collective international efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence while adopting a path of peace, prosperity, and development for the benefit of its people.
He reiterated the UAE's support for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to broker a prisoner exchange agreement that could lead to a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the safe and sustainable delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
He underlined that building peace in the region is the key to establishing lasting stability, sustainable security, and fulfilling the aspirations of its people for comprehensive development and a dignified life.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, highlighting the nation's longstanding solidarity with Palestinians over the decades.