Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Following the directives of King Salman, a third Saudi plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday.

Orders to send medical assistance to the North African state were issued after a request for aid by Tunisian President Kais Saied during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The aid, which included medical machines, care and treatment devices, and protective equipment, was flown by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).

Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, Tunisian Minister of Defense Brahim Bartagi, Minister of Health Dr. Fawzi Al-Mahdi, and the president’s chief of staff Nadia Akacha, were on hand when the plane reached the tarmac.

Bartagi said that the Kingdom sent high-precision equipment and advanced technology, which would improve the capability of public hospitals to receive patients, adding that the Kingdom “generously offered to send a large number of medical and treatment devices, vaccines and other necessary materials.”

Nissaf Ben Alya, a spokeswoman for the Tunisian health ministry, praised the assistance provided by the Kingdom to support Tunisia in this critical situation to confront the spread of the virus, adding that the Saudi leadership responded quickly and intervened rapidly with the ongoing health crisis.

She said that the Saudi medical aid had begun to make its way to public hospitals across the country.

In other news, Saudi Arabia also sent aid to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Kyrgyzstan.

The KSrelief has dispatched a $500,000 medical aid package to support Kyrgyzstan in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

King Salman instructed KSrelief to support the country, and Saudi Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ibrahim bin Radi Al-Radi delivered the aid.



Sultan Haitham, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Issues


Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
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Sultan Haitham, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Issues


Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)

Türkiye and Oman agreed to deepen cooperation and increase trade to $5 billion. They also backed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, similar to a recent deal in Lebanon.

“We aim to raise our trade volume with Oman to $5 billion, in line with our available potential. A new era of energy cooperation will commence as liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Oman to Türkiye begin in July 2025,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan welcomed Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Ankara on Thursday, marking the first official visit by an Omani Sultan to Türkiye. Erdogan said he plans to visit Oman in the future.

He thanked Sultan Haitham for Oman’s support after Türkiye’s earthquake last year and praised his efforts to promote regional peace, especially in Yemen. Erdogan also stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations in all areas.

Erdogan called for stronger institutional ties with Oman, announcing 10 agreements in areas such as trade, health, culture, agriculture, and defense. He praised Oman for choosing Turkish defense products and noted that Turkish contractors have handled $7 billion worth of projects in Oman, with potential to support Oman’s “Vision 2040.”

The leaders also discussed regional issues, including US President Joe Biden’s Gaza ceasefire initiative, which Erdogan called “important but overdue.” He stressed the need for an immediate and lasting truce in Gaza and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for peace efforts.

Sultan Haitham said Oman is committed to deepening ties with Türkiye and increasing trade to $5 billion.

The Omani leader highlighted the importance of regional security and cooperation during talks with Erdogan. He voiced Oman’s support for Türkiye’s stance on key international issues and stressed the need to pursue a two-state solution for Palestine to ensure justice and peace.

Erdogan welcomed Sultan Haitham in Ankara with an official ceremony at the presidential palace. The leaders oversaw the signing of 10 agreements aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.