France Stresses Support for Saudi Initiative on Yemen, Condemns Houthi Attacks

The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
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France Stresses Support for Saudi Initiative on Yemen, Condemns Houthi Attacks

The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).
The Saudi Foreign Minister during his meeting with his French counterpart in Paris on Wednesday (Prince Faisal bin Farhan Twitter account).

France has stressed its support for the Saudi peace initiative in Yemen, and condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi territories, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry following a meeting between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Paris.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan met over the past two days with a number of French officials, including the adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, Ambassador Emmanuel Bonne, and French senators.

The French President is expected to visit Saudi Arabia in October, according to well-informed French sources.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that the two parties were seeking to boost their relations in various economic and investment fields, and work on giant projects in Saudi Arabia and France.

Discussions during Prince Faisal’s meetings in Paris also touched on enhancing cooperation in the educational and health sectors and the fields of innovation and technology, as well as exchanging expertise and combating Covid-19 and its variants.

The Iranian nuclear program prevailed over talks on regional affairs. In its statement, the French Foreign Ministry said that Le Drian underlined the need for Tehran to return to the nuclear negotiations, but reaffirmed “France’s commitment to regional security and stability and its determination to respond to issues of concern to France and Saudi Arabia.”

On Yemen, the French minister was keen to stress the “firm condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against Saudi territories,” and the need to stop hostilities, “proceed with a full and comprehensive political solution, and support the peace initiative presented by Saudi Arabia in March.”

The two sides discussed the situation in Lebanon, as Paris is preparing to hold a virtual conference on Aug. 4, a year after the port explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital, in order to provide humanitarian support to the people who are suffering from deteriorating crises.

Paris is seeking to guarantee the widest participation in order to maximize international support. France had hosted two similar conferences last year, and the French Ministry of Defense organized a meeting in mid-June to provide support to the Lebanese army.

The French Foreign Ministry said that Le Drian emphasized the “urgent” need for Lebanese officials to form a new government “capable of carrying out reforms.”



Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA

Saudi Arabia actively marks World Children's Day, observed on November 20 every year, through a range of projects and initiatives carried out by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which is dedicated to supporting children and promoting their well-being worldwide.

Since its establishment, KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. Among these, 965 projects were valued at over $924 million, specifically focusing on enhancing the living conditions of children and their families, alleviating their suffering and ensuring access to education in safe and healthy environments.

One significant project by the center is the rehabilitation and reintegration of children recruited and affected by the armed conflict in Yemen, which aims to support child soldiers in their journey back to society.

The project has positively impacted 530 children and 60,560 family members. It entails facilitating the children's integration into their communities, enrolling them in schools, and offering vital psychological and social support through targeted training courses, helping them to lead normal, fulfilling lives.
KSrelief is a key supporter of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), significantly contributing to the delivery of health services and nutrition programs for newborns and their mothers. The center also plays a crucial role in supporting educational initiatives and ensuring the continuity of education in crisis and disaster-affected areas.