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Active, Critical COVID-19 Cases Spike in Saudi Arabia

A rise in infections and critical cases recorded in Saudi Arabia as the work of vaccination centers continues (AFP)
A rise in infections and critical cases recorded in Saudi Arabia as the work of vaccination centers continues (AFP)
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Active, Critical COVID-19 Cases Spike in Saudi Arabia

A rise in infections and critical cases recorded in Saudi Arabia as the work of vaccination centers continues (AFP)
A rise in infections and critical cases recorded in Saudi Arabia as the work of vaccination centers continues (AFP)

The Saudi Health Ministry said Tuesday that the Kingdom registered 2,108 active coronavirus cases, 338 of which are in critical condition.

This came as citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia who received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine continue to line up for their booster shots. At the moment, the health ministry is looking for temporary alternatives in the event of a delay in the delivery of the additional doses ordered from the Pfizer vaccine.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) will supply Saudi Arabia with 3 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses priced at $5.25 each in about a week on behalf of the British drugmaker.

“We continue to support AstraZeneca wherever they need the support. We are happy to do so,” SII Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla told Reuters in an interview.

He said the doses destined for Saudi Arabia would be shipped in a week or 10 days.

Poonawalla said that SII would raise production of the AstraZeneca vaccine by 30% by the end of March from its current daily output of about 2.4 million doses, once the third and final facility making the shots comes online.

Spokesman of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Tayseer Al-Moufarrej confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that an official announcement will be made as soon as a deal is inked with any of the vaccine producers.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported 223 new coronavirus cases and four deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 366,807 and raising the death toll to 6,359.

The health ministry also reported that the number of recoveries in the kingdom rose by 203 to 358,340.

Riyadh, the capital, recorded 78 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, while the Eastern Province had 45 cases, and Mecca had 34.

The health ministry said that coronavirus vaccination centers across the country are witnessing a “great turnout from all members of society of all groups,” facilitating the process of obtaining the vaccine.

There are COVID-19 vaccination centers across Saudi Arabia, including in Riyadh, the capital, Jeddah, Medina, and the Eastern Province.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan renewed on Friday the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s internal stability, and commitment to the Taif Accords.

The Kingdom will exert all possible diplomatic efforts to save Lebanon and its people, he was quoted as saying by Lebanese MPs who met him in Beirut.

MP Fouad Makhzoumi wrote on X that he had a “fruitful” meeting with Prince Yazid bin Farhan that was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari.

“We expressed our deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the United States, on their significant role in supporting Lebanon’s stability and efforts to restore calm and end hostilities,” he added in reference to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He hailed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the need to limit the possession of weapons to the state’s legitimate authorities.

The members of the National Moderation bloc also met with Prince Yazid bin Farhan, saying that talks focused on the situation in Lebanon and the region, especially the US-led negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

A statement from the bloc, said the Saudi envoy expressed the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s internal stability and commitment to the Taif Accords.

He urged the need to steer clear of rhetoric that would fuel internal divisions or harm civil peace.

The bloc is comprised of MPs Mohammed Suleiman, Ahmed al-Kheir, Sajih Attieh, Abdulaziz al-Samad and its Secretary Hadi Hbeish.

The National Consensus bloc of MP Faisal Karami also met with the Saudi envoy for talks on the latest local and regional developments.

Gulf

Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss Washington-Tehran Ceasefire

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump. (QNA)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump. (QNA)
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Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss Washington-Tehran Ceasefire

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump. (QNA)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump. (QNA)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed developments ‌in ‌the Washington-Tehran ceasefire ‌agreement ⁠in a phone call ⁠with US President Donald Trump, ⁠Qatari state ‌news ‌agency reported ‌on ‌Friday.

He added that Qatar would ‌continue coordinating with partners to ⁠support ⁠mediation efforts led by Pakistan to achieve regional security and stability.

Sheikh Tamim stressed the need for easing tensions and supporting peaceful solutions.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Drone Attacks on Kuwait Launched from Iraq

A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (KUNA)
A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (KUNA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Drone Attacks on Kuwait Launched from Iraq

A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (KUNA)
A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait. (KUNA)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Friday the drone attacks against Kuwait that were launched from Iraq.

A Foreign Ministry statement underlined the Kingdom’s “categorical rejection of the violation of the sovereignty of nations and attempts to threaten the security and stability of the region.”

It reiterated importance of the Iraqi government “acting responsibly towards those threats against the Gulf countries.”

Saudi Arabia expressed its solidarity with Kuwait’s government and people and support for all measures the country takes in protecting its sovereignty, stability and security.

Kuwait's army said two drones launched from Iraq ‌targeted two ‌northern border ‌posts ⁠on Friday, causing damage. ⁠It added there were no casualties.

Iraq's prime minister ⁠ordered an investigative ‌committee ‌to examine the ‌attack and ‌identify those responsible, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari ‌said, adding Iraq condemned the attack ⁠in ⁠a call with his Kuwaiti counterpart.

Kuwait had on Wednesday summoned the Iraqi envoy to the country to protest attacks against it by Iraqi armed factions.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the “treacherous attacks” on Kuwait.

“The continuation of these brutal attacks from Iraq is a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighborliness and all international laws and norms,” he said.

He expressed the GCC's “full solidarity with Kuwait, affirming absolute support for all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.”

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the drone attacks.

In a statement, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa “reiterated condemnation of these criminal attacks, which violate the sovereignty of countries in the region and threaten their security and stability.”

He expressed his full solidarity with Kuwait, its leadership, government and people, in all measures taken to safeguard its security, sovereignty and the safety of citizens and residents.