Saudi Arabia Stresses Commitment to Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy

Prince Abdullah bin Salman addresses the IAEA meeting in Vienna on Monday. (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Prince Abdullah bin Salman addresses the IAEA meeting in Vienna on Monday. (Saudi Energy Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Commitment to Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy

Prince Abdullah bin Salman addresses the IAEA meeting in Vienna on Monday. (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Prince Abdullah bin Salman addresses the IAEA meeting in Vienna on Monday. (Saudi Energy Ministry)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed on Monday that the Kingdom was committed to its policy over the peaceful use of nuclear power, by following the highest standards of transparency and degrees of security.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia was working on developing the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in various fields in line with its Saudi National Atomic Energy that it is closely cooperating on developing with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Addressing a meeting of IAEA member states in Vienna on Monday, Prince Abdulaziz underscored Riyadh’s support to all efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Kingdom underlines the need for countries to commit to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while reserving their right to benefit from the peaceful uses of atomic energy and investing in their natural resources in a secure environment, away from nuclear threat, he continued.

Saudi Arabia urges the international community to achieve the higher objective of the treaty in preventing the spread of nuclear arms, he stated, while expressing the Kingdom’s concern over Iran’s lack of transparency over its nuclear program.

Saudi Arabia stresses the need to confront nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, including the danger of a nuclear Israel that poses a threat to the region and world, he remarked.

Prince Abdulaziz also noted that the IAEA had broken ground for the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Center for which Saudi Arabia had pledged 10 million dollars.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.