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 Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.