Foreign Ministers Meet ahead of GCC Summit

Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
TT
20

Foreign Ministers Meet ahead of GCC Summit

Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.
Gulf foreign ministers meet ahead of the GCC summit.

The foreign ministers of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council held on Sunday a preparatory meeting ahead of the council’s upcoming 41st summit.

The meeting, which was chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif al-Zayani, was held virtually amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The talks covered the agenda of the summit and relevant recommendations on bolstering joint Gulf work in political, economic and social fields. The agenda will also tackle latest regional developments.

The summit is scheduled for January 5.

Sunday’s meeting included the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Qatar’s foreign minister was absent. He was represented by the minister of state for foreign affairs.

The Bahraini foreign ministry said that Zayani expressed his “complete confidence in the wise Saudi leadership and its central role in maintaining Gulf unity” and overcoming the current rift among its members.

He hoped that the row would be resolved so that a new phase of dialogue among Gulf countries would be established in order for them to achieve common goals.

He stressed the need to combat terrorism and end all regional conflicts and disputes through peaceful means, international agreements and the principle of good neighborliness.

Earlier this month, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammed Al-Sabah revealed that “fruitful” talks have been held to resolve the Gulf rift between Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt with Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had stated that resolving the dispute was within reach.

Bahrain will assume the presidency of the GCC in January.



Saudi Arabia Railways Announces Full Operational Readiness of Mashaer Train for Hajj 

The Mashaer Metro Train operates a fleet of 17 trains, each with a capacity of 3,000 passengers. (SPA)
The Mashaer Metro Train operates a fleet of 17 trains, each with a capacity of 3,000 passengers. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia Railways Announces Full Operational Readiness of Mashaer Train for Hajj 

The Mashaer Metro Train operates a fleet of 17 trains, each with a capacity of 3,000 passengers. (SPA)
The Mashaer Metro Train operates a fleet of 17 trains, each with a capacity of 3,000 passengers. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced the full operational readiness of the Mashaer Metro Train for this year’s Hajj starting Tuesday.

SAR completed its preparations in coordination with various relevant entities. Comprehensive operational preparation included nearly 12,000 trial trips since January, in addition to four full-scale simulation exercises accurately replicating the conditions of the Hajj season to test the readiness of systems, trains, and stations and ensure safe and efficient operations.

The Mashaer Metro Train operates on five service patterns tailored to the different Hajj rituals, making it a unique transport system globally.

During the Hajj, the train is scheduled to carry out more than 2,000 trips, aiming to transport over two million passengers with high efficiency and precise organization.

SAR conducted extensive maintenance and rigorous testing on all facilities and stations of the project to ensure their readiness and compliance with safety and quality standards.

The train connects nine stations across the holy sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina, with the final station in Mina located on the fourth level of the Jamarat Bridge, ensuring the smooth movement and safety of pilgrims.

The Mashaer Metro Train is one of the region’s most significant sustainable transport projects. It operates a fleet of 17 trains, each with a capacity of 3,000 passengers, enabling a total transport capacity exceeding 72,000 passengers per hour. This helps reduce congestion in the holy sites, lower carbon emissions, and provide a smart, safe, and environmentally friendly travel experience.

The operation of the train reflects SAR’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by enabling a reliable, efficient, and sustainable transport experience for pilgrims, showcasing the Kingdom’s advanced infrastructure and improving the quality of services.