Saudi Arabia: COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise

The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 375,831. Asharq Al-Awsat
The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 375,831. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia: COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise

The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 375,831. Asharq Al-Awsat
The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 375,831. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia witnessed a climb in new coronavirus cases with 482 infections announced on Thursday.

Of the new cases, 204 were recorded in Riyadh, 84 in Makkah, 76 in the Eastern Province and the rest in other regions.

The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 375,831 after 360 more patients recovered from the COVID-19 disease.

Six people also died from complications caused by the disease, increasing the Kingdom’s death toll to 6,630.



GCC Ministerial Council to Meet in Makkah to Discuss Regional, Int’l Affairs 

The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
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GCC Ministerial Council to Meet in Makkah to Discuss Regional, Int’l Affairs 

The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)
The GCC foreign ministers are seen during their meeting in Kuwait in December. (GCC)

The 163rd Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be held in Makkah on Thursday to discuss the latest regional and international developments.

Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, the current president of the Ministerial Council, will preside over the meeting, which will be attended by the GCC foreign ministers.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said joint ministerial meetings will also be held with the Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Abdelatty, Syrian FM Asaad Al Shibani, Moroccan FM Nasser Bourita and Jordan’s FM and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi.

The discussions with Egypt, Syria, Morocco and Jordan will focus on boosting strategic relations and joint cooperation in various fields to achieve mutual interests, Albudaiwi said.

The meetings will continue consultation and coordination on regional and international issues with the aim of supporting regional security and stability.

Meanwhile, the GCC Ministerial Council will address several reports on the implementation of decisions taken by the Supreme Council of the GCC in Kuwait in December.

Discussions will also cover memorandums and reports submitted by ministerial and technical committees, as well as the General Secretariat.

Officials will tackle issues related to strategic dialogues and relations among the GCC, other states, and global blocs. The latest regional and international developments affecting the region will also be addressed.