UN Experts Commence Investigation into Aramco Attacks

Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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UN Experts Commence Investigation into Aramco Attacks

Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Four international experts have commenced work in Riyadh, Buqayq and Khurais to investigate the evidence and used weapons in Aramco attacks. They would conclude their visit on Sunday or Monday.

Saudi Arabia has informed the 15 members at the Security Council in addition to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that it will take all necessary measures according to the international law to deal with the targeting of Aramco facilities.

Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Abdullah al-Moallemi sent a letter to the President of the Security Council and Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, upon the Saudi government’s guidelines.

The purpose of the letter is to draw the attention regarding the terrorist attack against Aramco facilities in Buqayq and Khurais on Sep. 14, 2019.

Moallemi noted that the attacks didn’t target the Kingdom only, but the international energy supplies and the global economic security, affirming that Saudi Arabia has the capability to protect its vital economic and oil assets as well as its national possessions, residents, and citizens.

The letter stated that “all indications are that the weapons used in the Aramco attack are Iranian,” and stressed that Saudi Arabia will take measures to respond to the attacks in accordance with international law.

It also included a statement issued earlier by the Saudi Interior Ministry on Sep. 16 calling for the UN and international experts to participate in the investigation into the attack.

Further, reliable sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the experts' group consists of Christina George and Rob LaFeber from the committee entrusted with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 on the nuclear program of Iran and Wolf Christian Pace and Henry Thompson from the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee.

The team would visit the facilities on Friday and Saturday, and its mission includes examining ruins of drones and the used cruise missiles in the attacks.



Saudi Arabia: Regional Security Demands Swift Implementation of Fair Solution to Palestinian Cause

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Regional Security Demands Swift Implementation of Fair Solution to Palestinian Cause

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that the security of the Middle East demands the swift implementation of a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian cause, in line with international resolutions and the 2002 Arab peace initiative. The solution must ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border and east Jerusalem as its capital.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah.

He briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the second meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council, highlighting the expanding economic, trade, and investment relations between the two nations, as well as efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in other sectors.

The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s extensive participation in regional and international forums, underlining its commitment to supporting collaborative efforts aimed at addressing current challenges and promoting global stability and prosperity

The Cabinet underlined the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to expediting Syria’s economic recovery. It reiterated its call for regional and international financial institutions to resume and expand their operations in Syria, supporting the aspirations of its people for a brighter future and decent living standards.

Domestically, the Cabinet praised the diligent efforts of government agencies that have contributed to the significant achievements of Saudi Vision 2030 as it approaches its ninth year. It noted the remarkable progress outlined in the Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024, which revealed that 93% of the targets across national programs and strategies have been met or exceeded.

The Cabinet discussed the third phase of Saudi Vision 2030, slated for 2026 that will concentrate on sustaining the impact of the transformations, capitalizing on emerging growth opportunities, diligently monitoring and strengthening existing initiatives, and further aligning plans and programs with the overarching Vision 2030 to foster greater economic diversification and growth.

Moreover, the Cabinet commended the outcomes of the recent Saudi Statistics Forum held in Riyadh, which marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of statistical work in the Kingdom. It acknowledged the sector’s significant advancements in international indicators and its vital role in sustainable development, improving service quality, and driving economic and social growth.

The Cabinet highlighted the generous SAR1 billion donation by Crown Prince Mohammed to the National Development Housing Foundation, reflecting his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of citizens and his sustained focus on housing initiatives that provide suitable homes for deserving families throughout the Kingdom.