Saudi Arabia Expands Vaccination Centers, Sees High Turnout

 Vaccination centers in Saudi Arabia witnessed a great turnout. (Photo: SPA)
Vaccination centers in Saudi Arabia witnessed a great turnout. (Photo: SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Expands Vaccination Centers, Sees High Turnout

 Vaccination centers in Saudi Arabia witnessed a great turnout. (Photo: SPA)
Vaccination centers in Saudi Arabia witnessed a great turnout. (Photo: SPA)

Vaccination centers in Saudi Arabia witnessed a great turnout of citizens and residents, amid efficient regulatory procedures.

The vaccination drive has expanded in many regions of the Kingdom, while hospitals and health centers are now prepared to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to community members.

The dedicated centers receive those registered in the Sehhaty platform to obtain the vaccine, free of charge, in line with the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership

Meanwhile, latest Health Ministry showed that 337 new cases of Covid-19 were registered over the past 24 hours, in addition to 346 new recoveries. The number of active cases reached 2,549, of which 497 are critical.

The ministry said that the cumulative number of infections in the Kingdom reached 374,366 cases, while the total recoveries amounted to 365,363. Four deaths were recorded on Friday, bringing the total number to 6,454 cases.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Friday closed six mosques temporarily in five regions after infections were confirmed among worshipers.

A total of 98 mosques were closed within a period of 12 days, 87 of which were reopened after the completion of the sterilization and disinfection.

In the UAE, the Ministry of Health announced the administration of 93,101 vaccine doses, during the past 24 hours. The cumulative number of doses so far provided reached 5,466,831, with the rate of vaccine distribution being 55.27 doses per 100 people.

In the Sultanate of Oman, the total number of those who received the first dose of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine reached 27,400 people, while around 24,465 persons received the second dose.

For its part, Qatar decided to exempt citizens and residents, who received the two doses of the vaccine from quarantine requirements after traveling abroad or after coming into contact with a positive case.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
TT

Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.