Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
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Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday donated 10 million Omani riyals (26 million US dollars) to confront the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the Omani News Agency reported.

The donation came as Haitham bin Tariq chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee in charge of dealing with the spread of the pandemic.

Oman's sultan stressed that the government will spare no effort to confront the new virus and limit its spread, in order to preserve the health of citizens and residents.

The number of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oman has risen to 109, out of whom 23 have recovered, the health ministry announced on Thursday. Most cases were related to travels to other countries.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus recovering cases in Bahrain reached 204 as of Thursday, according to the country’s ministry of health, which also revealed that another seven were discharged from quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus.

Up to 30% of the Bahraini citizens who were evacuated from Iran on a chartered flight that arrived Wednesday night tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving treatment.

This was announced last night at a press conference of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus.

Bahraini Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh underlined Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister’s comprehensive approach to stem the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing tailored effective and preventative strategies, such as the decision to limit public gatherings to 5 people.

The minister went on to highlight expectations regarding the upcoming closure of non-essential businesses set to take place between 26 March 2020 to April 9 2020, during which only hypermarkets, supermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and banks will remain open, and restaurants will limit their service to delivery and takeout only.



Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT

Palestinian Minister of Finance Omar Al-Bitar received a financial installment from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounting to $30 million as part of the Kingdom’s continued support for the State of Palestine for 2025.

The installment was delivered at the Saudi Embassy in Amman on Thursday during a meeting between Al-Bitar and acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Jordan Mohammed bin Hassan Mounis, SPA reported.

Al-Bitar praised the Kingdom’s ongoing financial and political support, highlighting the significance of this contribution in alleviating the severe financial crisis faced by Palestine amid recent Israeli policies.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s longstanding and unwavering stance in support of Palestine and its people, as well as its support for their legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state.

He conveyed the greetings of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their enduring political, economic, and humanitarian support.

Mounis noted that this installment reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian government and enabling it to meet its financial obligations, highlighting the importance of this aid in enhancing the resilience of the Palestinian people and alleviating their economic and humanitarian hardships.

He also noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided some $5.3 billion in recent years in humanitarian, relief, and development aid as part of its broader support for the State of Palestine, reaffirming the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people.