The G20 In Speech Of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 40th Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 10, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 40th Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 10, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
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The G20 In Speech Of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 40th Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 10, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 40th Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 10, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

The speech of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week highlighted the G20 priorities, focusing on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, growth of non-oil GDP, unemployment rate, digital competitiveness and protection of the environment.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman touched on the effects of the pandemic in the G20 member-states, explaining that Saudi Arabia was one of the top 10 countries in dealing with the economic consequences of the sanitary crisis.

He also expressed optimism that growth would accelerate with the end of the pandemic and the return to normal life.

The Kingdom will be one of the fastest growing G20 countries in non-oil GDP in the coming years, he noted.

During the speech, the Crown Prince pointed out that while unemployment increased in some of the G20 countries to about 20 percent, the Kingdom maintained its efforts to reduce the rate to 7 percent before 2030.

On the shift in technical progress, the Crown Prince underlined that the Kingdom achieved the first position in digital competitiveness at the level of the G20 over the past three years.

He also highlighted the protection of the environment as one of the main axes of the Saudi presidency of the G20.

The Crown Prince also said that Saudi Arabia adopted many initiatives for the next four years to raise the percentage of vegetation, revealing that the kingdom has massive plans to protect the world's environment as part of its G20 presidency.



Iraqi Foreign Minister: US Forces Are Not Occupiers

 Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (AP)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (AP)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: US Forces Are Not Occupiers

 Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (AP)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (AP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed ending the US-led coalition’s mission in Iraq with a coalition official, while Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein asserted that US forces are not occupiers.

These talks come as Sudani’s government successfully brokered a truce between the US and armed groups aiming to drive American troops out of Iraq.

A recent joint operation by US and Iraqi forces in Anbar province, which killed 15 ISIS militants, highlighted ongoing cooperation between the US-led coalition and Iraqi forces against the terror group.

The US reported that seven of its soldiers were injured in the raid.

“The remnants of ISIS no longer pose a threat to the Iraqi state, as they have become isolated groups hiding in remote areas to avoid capture,” Sudani’s office cited the premier as saying during the meeting with coalition commander US Maj. Gen. Kevin C. Leahy and US Ambassador to Baghdad Alina Romanowski.

Sudani’s meeting with Leahy and Romanowski also discussed the coalition’s future role in Iraq, cooperation in training Iraqi security forces, and intelligence collaboration.

On his part, Hussein asserted that the US presence in Iraq is not an occupation.

“We are working hard to keep Iraq away from the threat of war,” said the top Iraqi diplomat in a TV interview.

Hussein explained that the Iraqi government is focusing on both internal dialogue with armed groups and external efforts to reduce tensions.

He emphasized that decisions on war and peace are the responsibility of the government and parliament, according to the constitution, and that the government is focused on Iraq’s own situation, not regional conflicts.

While Iraq stands in solidarity with Palestine, this support does not extend to armed conflict, as Iraq is still dealing with the aftermath of its own wars.

Addressing the frequent meetings between Romanowski and Iraqi officials, Hussein clarified that these do not breach diplomatic norms.

He reiterated that the US presence in Iraq is not an occupation, noting that “many issues need further discussion.”

Hussein also confirmed that talks are ongoing for the withdrawal of US troops, and that Iraq has formally requested their exit.