Saudi Arabia Stresses Ongoing Commitment to Work with UN to Restore Peace in Yemen

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Ongoing Commitment to Work with UN to Restore Peace in Yemen

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday its continued commitment to work with the United Nations to restore peace in Yemen.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held virtually amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Kingdom preserves the right to defend its security and citizens against attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in line with international humanitarian law, continued the government.

Restoring peace in Yemen is a priority to the Kingdom, it stressed.

Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi said the ministers underscored the message by the Kingdom’s permanent ambassador to UN Security Council in wake of the Houthis’ attack against the Eastern Province, Jazan and Najran.

The message called on the international community to assume its responsibilities against the Houthis and the sides supplying them with weapons. The militias must be deprived of means to carry out their hostile cross-border acts that undermine international efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen and that threaten international security and peace.

Qasabi said the government also covered the latest local and international developments related to the pandemic. It noted the continued drop in cases in the Kingdom as more vaccines are administered. Around 40 million shots have been administered.

The government approved the establishment of the General Authority for Defense Development.

The entity will enjoy financial and administrative independence and be tied to the prime minister. It is aimed at specifying the goals of research, development and innovation activities related to defense technologies and systems and outlining their strategies and policies.

As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom has kicked off a massive plan to develop its military sector in response to various threats and to protect its interests and security. The plan includes bolstering and modernizing its defense capabilities, hiring more Saudis to the sector and diversifying the number of international partnerships to that end.

Established in 2017, the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has been tasked with developing the military industries sector, reducing the Kingdom’s reliance on the outside to secure its defenses and nationalizing 50% of military spending within ten years.



Kuwait Hands $2 Million to UNRWA for 2024

An internally displaced Palestinian girl fills containers with water, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 21 March 2024. (EPA)
An internally displaced Palestinian girl fills containers with water, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 21 March 2024. (EPA)
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Kuwait Hands $2 Million to UNRWA for 2024

An internally displaced Palestinian girl fills containers with water, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 21 March 2024. (EPA)
An internally displaced Palestinian girl fills containers with water, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 21 March 2024. (EPA)

Kuwait has handed its annual $2 million contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported on Thursday.

UNWRA said on Tuesday it had sufficient funds to run its operations until the end of May after many donors paused their funding over Israeli accusations that some staff took part in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which triggered war in Gaza.

UNRWA provides aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and across the wider region.


Kuwait Elections: Rise of Populist Rhetoric, Reform Demands Decline Before Polls

Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
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Kuwait Elections: Rise of Populist Rhetoric, Reform Demands Decline Before Polls

Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections

Kuwaiti authorities are investigating a case involving the manipulation of special elections targeting a specific group in Kuwaiti society ahead of the 2024 National Assembly (parliament) elections.

In a statement released on “X”, Kuwait’s Public Prosecution stated that it has ordered the arrest of two suspects and is in the process of apprehending the remaining individuals, with investigations ongoing.

Over the past two years, the Kuwaiti government has implemented reforms to curb political corruption and reduce the influence of powerful tribal groups, including cracking down on by-elections and enforcing voter registration through civil ID cards to prevent vote-buying.

Several candidates for the 2024 National Assembly elections have been disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria, including previous convictions related to by-elections.

Candidates must not have prior felony convictions or convictions for crimes compromising honor, integrity, or religious and royal entities, unless rehabilitated.

As Kuwait's National Assembly elections approach, candidates are using gatherings during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan to connect with voters.

These gatherings, usually held in diwaniyas, are fewer this time. Candidates talk about everyday concerns like financial support and debt relief, promising solutions.

While some discuss political reform and anti-corruption measures, most focus on appealing to voters with immediate promises.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kuwaiti writer Nasser Al-Abdali expressed concern about the lack of serious agendas in the elections, blaming it on the absence of clear ideologies.

He pointed out that without strong political movements, proposals have become purely populist.

Al-Abdali criticized the government’s role in this trend, saying they now face a choice between meeting populist demands or risking the integrity of the parliamentary system.

He also noted a surge in young candidates offering fresh ideas based on their own experiences in various fields, unlike older deputies who tend to repeat past strategies.

According to lawyer Abdulaziz Boumajdad, there’s nothing groundbreaking in the candidates’ proposals.

“While each presents solutions in their own way, the overall approach remains similar,” Boumajdad told Asharq Al-Awsat.

It is noteworthy that these elections are the third in Kuwait within two years, following previous rounds in September 2022 and March 2023, which were invalidated due to legal issues.


Saudi Minister, EU Special Representative for GCC Region Discuss Economic Relations

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim met with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the GCC Region Luigi Di Maio. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim met with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the GCC Region Luigi Di Maio. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister, EU Special Representative for GCC Region Discuss Economic Relations

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim met with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the GCC Region Luigi Di Maio. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim met with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the GCC Region Luigi Di Maio. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim discussed in Riyadh with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the GCC Region, Luigi Di Maio, the Saudi-European economic and commercial relations, the Saudi Press agency said on Thursday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields between Saudi Arabia and the EU, and other topics of mutual interest.


Crown Prince Meets with Governors of Saudi Regions

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received in Jeddah the Governors of the Saudi regions. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received in Jeddah the Governors of the Saudi regions. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Meets with Governors of Saudi Regions

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received in Jeddah the Governors of the Saudi regions. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received in Jeddah the Governors of the Saudi regions. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received in Jeddah the Governors of the Saudi regions to mark their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.
During the reception, the Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting of the Governors of regions, lauding their efforts in serving the homeland, citizens and residents.
The meeting was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior.


43rd, 44th Saudi Relief Planes with Aid for Palestinians in Gaza Arrive in Egypt

The aircraft are carrying shelter items that will be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
The aircraft are carrying shelter items that will be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
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43rd, 44th Saudi Relief Planes with Aid for Palestinians in Gaza Arrive in Egypt

The aircraft are carrying shelter items that will be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)
The aircraft are carrying shelter items that will be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza. (SPA)

The 43rd and 44th Saudi relief planes, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, arrived in Egypt on Wednesday.

The aircraft are carrying shelter items that will be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The assistance is in keeping with Saudi Arabia's historic role in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in times of crisis.


Saudi, British FMs Discuss Gaza Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
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Saudi, British FMs Discuss Gaza Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a telephone call from UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron for talks on bilateral relations.

They also discussed regional and international issues of common concern, including developments in the Gaza Strip.


MWL Condemns Israel for Confiscating 8,000 Dunums in Jordan Valley

MWL Condemns Israel for Confiscating 8,000 Dunums in Jordan Valley
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MWL Condemns Israel for Confiscating 8,000 Dunums in Jordan Valley

MWL Condemns Israel for Confiscating 8,000 Dunums in Jordan Valley

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned on Wednesday Israel’s announcement that it was confiscating 8,000 dunams of land in the Jordan Valley in the occupied Palestinian territories.

It deemed the decision a flagrant violation of all international laws and relevant resolutions.

MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa denounced the ongoing Israeli violations of the rights of the Palestinian people.

He considered it a blatant challenge to the international community and an impediment to the prospects of achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region.


Saudi Arabia ‘Strongly Condemns’ Israel’s Seizing of Palestinian Land

The flag of Saudi Arabia
The flag of Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia ‘Strongly Condemns’ Israel’s Seizing of Palestinian Land

The flag of Saudi Arabia
The flag of Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “strongly condemned” Israel’s seizing of 8,000 dunams of land in the Jordan Valley area of the occupied Palestinian territories.

It said in a statement that “such actions violate international laws and relevant resolutions, and undermine the chances of a just and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution.”

The Kingdom “called on the international community to halt the systematic violations by Israeli settlers and to ensure the return of confiscated Palestinian lands.”


Saudi, French FMs Discuss Gaza Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi, French FMs Discuss Gaza Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has received a telephone call from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Stephane Sejourne.
The two ministers discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the efforts exerted in this regard.


Saudi Crown Prince Receives Credentials of Ambassadors of Several Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Credentials of Ambassadors of Several Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. SPA

Deputizing for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday the credentials of a number of ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom.

The Crown Prince welcomed the ambassadors in the Kingdom and wished them all success in their missions to enhance and develop relations between Saudi Arabia and their countries.
For their part, the ambassadors conveyed the greetings of their leaders to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the Crown Prince, expressing their thanks for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Chief of the Royal Court Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Issa.