Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Asir Region Development Plan

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Right) and Prince Turki bin Talal, Governor of Asir Region
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Right) and Prince Turki bin Talal, Governor of Asir Region
TT

Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Asir Region Development Plan

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Right) and Prince Turki bin Talal, Governor of Asir Region
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Right) and Prince Turki bin Talal, Governor of Asir Region

Saudi Arabia is set to launch a plan on Sunday designed to complete the pending and upcoming infrastructure and service projects in southwestern Asir region.

“Under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Asir Region, will patronize the plan to complete the basic projects in Asir region. He will be joined by Saudi Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Acting Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Dr. Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi and Minister of Transport Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed al-Amoudi,” an official statement said.

The ministers will announce the plan for completion of pending projects which signal an important milestone for the region's people. Projects include health, transport and public sectors in service of not the region alone, but the Kingdom as a whole.

The projects will also contribute to the expansion of the infrastructure and services needed by the region. They are also part and parcel of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and efforts to diversify its economy while expanding on tourism and reaching untapped resources in the Kingdom’s many regions.

“These projects represent an important step forward for the region's sons and daughters who have long been looking forward to it. The diversity of the projects represent the health, transportation and municipalities sectors within a large system of projects, not only in the region but at a Kingdom-wide level,” the statement added.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
TT

Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.