US Speaker Arrives in Saudi Arabia

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
TT

US Speaker Arrives in Saudi Arabia

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday during which he is scheduled to meet with a number of senior officials and Chairman of the Shura Council.

Ryan's visit to Saudi Arabia is of great importance as US-Saudi relations are continuously developing. US President Donald Trump had already visited Saudi Arabia during his first overseas trip as president.

The US official will discuss diplomatic relations between the two countries, in addition to a range of topics, including cooperation between the Committee of Friendship and the House of Representatives of the United States.

In May 2017, a delegation from the Saudi Shura Council visited the US House of Representatives Speaker in his office at the US Congress, stressing the importance of Saudi-US relations as well as strengthening and developing them to serve the common interests of both countries and peoples.

During the visit, the Shura delegation explained Vision 2030 and its objectives, stressing that it is not only a shift in the economic field, but a transformation at the social level that can help Saudi Arabia develop and prosper. 

Ryan praised the progress achieved by Saudi Arabia and its efforts in countering terrorism, lauding the Kingdom in forming the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.

Ryan had landed at King Salman Air Base Airport, and was received by the Chairman of the Shura Council, Sheikh Abdullah Al Sheikh, the Council’s Deputy Speaker, Mohammad al-Jafri, and a number of officials.

The US official is accompanied by a number of heads of committees, deputies and advisers at the House of Representatives.



GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."