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Saudi Arabia Earmarks $4 Billion to Fight Coronavirus

Saudi Arabia Earmarks $4 Billion to Fight Coronavirus
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Saudi Arabia Earmarks $4 Billion to Fight Coronavirus

Saudi Arabia Earmarks $4 Billion to Fight Coronavirus

Saudi Arabia has allocated an additional 7 billion riyals (USD 1.8 billion) to face the new coronavirus, in addition to the 8 billion riyals (USD 2.1 billion) earmarked at the beginning of the virus outbreak.

The Kingdom has registered on Wednesday 272 new infections and 64 new recoveries. The Ministry of Interior issued decisions, including the prolongation of curfew hours, starting from 3 pm until 6 am.

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Health, said that his country has provided the financial needs for efforts to combat this pandemic, as 8 billion riyals have been approved since the first case of infection was recorded in the country.

He added that a committee chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday has allocated an additional 7 billion riyals to fight the virus, in addition to the approval of a request submitted by the ministry to earmark 32 billion riyals for the end of the fiscal year.

Rabiah regretted that some people did not abide by the directives, as some roads recorded an increase in the number of cars during the day.

“We need to take other measures to protect the society from these people. We stand before a decisive moment as we have to raise our sense of responsibility and contribute firmly to stop the spread of this pandemic,” he emphasized.

The Minister of Health shared the results of four different studies carried out by Saudi and international epidemics experts.

The studies expected that the number of infections during the next few weeks would range from 10,000 to a maximum of 200,000 cases.

According to official data, the Kingdom recorded 272 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total infections in Saudi Arabia to 2,795 cases.

While the total number of deaths reached 41 until Tuesday, 615 people have fully recovered from the virus to date.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.