Saudi Arabia Inaugurates 4th Vaccination Center in Madinah

A Saudi man gets a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dec. 17, 2020 (Reuters)
A Saudi man gets a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dec. 17, 2020 (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Inaugurates 4th Vaccination Center in Madinah

A Saudi man gets a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dec. 17, 2020 (Reuters)
A Saudi man gets a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dec. 17, 2020 (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Sunday a fourth vaccination center in the Madinah region, while the relevant authorities in the country continued their campaigns to monitor the adherence to preventive measures against the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Saudi Ministry of Health said that the resumption of normal life depended on the achievement of social immunity, stressing that commitment to preventive measures and getting vaccinated “are our weapons to eradicate the virus.”

During a press conference, the ministry’s spokesman Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly noted that the lack of commitment to health precautions has led to an increase in the number of infections in countries around the world, indicating that the general situation in Saudi Arabia was reassuring.

The country registered on Sunday 146 recoveries, bringing the number of recovered cases to 356,687.

In parallel, the Ministry of Interior announced that it had recorded more than 20,000 violations for non-compliance with the procedures last week.

The ministry stressed that citizens and residents must continue to adhere to preventive measures and to the instructions issued by the relevant authorities in this regard.

Also on Sunday, the Covid-19 vaccination campaign was launched in Madinah after the inauguration of the fourth dedicated center in Saudi Arabia. Prince Faisal bin Salman, Governor of the region, and his deputy, Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, received their first dose of the vaccine with the target group of citizens and residents.



Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.