US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives a statement about the situation in Afghanistan during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, US, August 23, 2021. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan kicked off on Monday a tour of the Middle East, starting with Saudi Arabia where he is set to hold talks in Neom on Tuesday with senior officials.
Sullivan will be the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit Saudi Arabia since the president assumed office in January.
His talks will cover the Iranian nuclear file and efforts to make the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen accept peace initiatives and end the war.
National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said Sullivan was traveling to Riyadh on Monday and would also visit the United Arab Emirates.
He will be accompanied by Timothy Lenderking, the US envoy to Yemen, and National Security Council senior director for the Middle East Brett McGurk.
Former undersecretary at the Yemeni foreign ministry Mustafa al-Numan described Sullivan’s trip as the “most significant” in the course of the Yemen war.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the visit was a clear message that ending the conflict in Yemen was a priority to Biden as it is to Saudi Arabia.
The visit means that ending the war is a matter of US national security, he noted.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin planned to travel to Saudi Arabia earlier this month while he was in the region but postponed due to what the administration said were scheduling issues.
Sullivan had met in July with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Washington.
A statement at the time said they discussed the longstanding partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia, as well as regional security and Washington’s commitment to helping the Kingdom defend its territories against attacks launched by groups that are allied with Iran.
Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attackshttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5290468-saudi-arabia-reiterates-solidarity-kuwait-bahrain-after-latest-iranian-attacks
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain after Latest Iranian Attacks
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s condemnation of the continued hostile Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as those targeting maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Cabinet said the attacks are a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain and its full support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty and security.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.
At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the telephone call Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from French President Emmanuel Macron. They reviewed areas of mutual cooperation between their countries, regional and international developments, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
The Cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's participation in regional and international meetings, as part of its commitment to strengthening cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries, advancing multilateral action toward further progress across various fields, and enhancing collective response to current challenges in the region and the world.
The Cabinet expressed its support for the outcomes of the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States, including the affirmation of the strategic partnership between the two sides and continued coordination and consultation on international issues of mutual interest that will help in supporting regional security and stability and protecting common interests.
On the domestic level, the Cabinet reviewed infrastructure development plans across the Kingdom aimed at supporting continued growth.
It noted the launch of a new phase of the Developed Districts Program in Makkah and the commencement of the fourth package of projects under the Riyadh Main and Ring Road Axes Development Program. The initiatives are expected to keep pace with urban expansion, boost the urban landscape, improve quality of life, and strengthen transportation services.
Ministers are seen during the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
The Cabinet commended the launch of the inaugural Saudi Water Week as a national, regional, and international platform for advancing global dialogue on water issues, highlighting Arab priorities, and reinforcing the Kingdom's pivotal role in the water sector.
The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's continued efforts to develop practical solutions and forge strategic partnerships that contribute to achieving water security, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, and accelerating collaborative efforts toward a more sustainable water future.
It further commended the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority's winning of the 2026 UN Public Service Award, noting that the recognition adds to the Kingdom's growing record of achievements in leveraging data and advanced technologies to support development and build a sustainable, knowledge-based digital economy.
The Cabinet praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and the effectiveness of its proactive security plans in combating drug trafficking and apprehending smugglers and dealers. It also hailed the ministry's achievements in confronting this scourge and mitigating its dangers.
Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldiveshttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5290460-saudi-defense-minister-discusses-cooperation-counterpart-maldives
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Discusses Cooperation with Counterpart from Maldives
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday with his counterpart from the Maldives Hassan Rasheed.
They reviewed relations and defense cooperation between their countries.
They discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts to boost security and stability in the region. The ministers also tackled issues of common interest.
KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syriahttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5290296-ksrelief-signs-joint-executive-program-economically-empower-rural-women-syria
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
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KSrelief Signs Joint Executive Program to Economically Empower Rural Women in Syria
Officials sign the executive program at KSrelief's Riyadh headquarters on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed on Monday a joint executive program to implement the rural women's economic empowerment project in Syria under the "Bathraa" initiative. In cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project will directly benefit 520 individuals and indirectly benefit 284,320 others, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The program was signed on behalf of KSrelief by Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz, and on behalf of UNDP by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States Director Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, at the center's headquarters in Riyadh.
The program aims to strengthen livelihoods and promote the economic empowerment of rural women by rehabilitating and equipping multipurpose production centers with food-processing units, agricultural waste composting systems, marketing kiosks, and renewable energy solutions, creating a suitable environment for production and training.
It boasts technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership capacity-building programs for rural women, as well as the provision of the tools and equipment needed to launch income-generating activities, thereby boosting their economic opportunities and improving their sources of income.
The initiative is part of the humanitarian and relief efforts of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support the Syrian people and empower rural families while improving their living conditions.
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