Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Monday extended a deposit it gave the central bank of Yemen's legitimate government in 2018, and agreed to pay the final installment of the promised $2 billion, the central bank and Saudi ambassador to Yemen said.

The Saudi finance ministry said the 2018 deposit duration would be extended and this would support Yemen's currency and economic situation.

The central bank, now based in Aden which is the interim headquarters of Yemen's government, said the final installment which would be paid amounted to $174 million.

Saudi Arabia last month said it would arrange a new support package of $3 billion for Yemen's economy: $2 billion from Riyadh and another $1 billion from the United Arab Emirates, also part of the coalition.

Riyadh's ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jaber said on Twitter governance and technical discussions were taking place about a new $2 billion deposit that would come from the UAE and Saudi money.

The conflict has caused a serious devaluation of Yemen's currency and a shortage of foreign reserves, and has created what that United Nations calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.



Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Riyadh on Thursday with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

They reviewed ways to strengthen the defense partnership between their countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests.

They also condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom, discussed their repercussions for security and stability, and exchanged views on regional developments.


UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
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UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)

The UN Security Council strongly condemned on Thursday the ongoing and escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including those that hit civil aviation and energy infrastructure, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

This includes the "reckless strikes" targeting King Khalid International Airport on October 10 and 11, which caused fatalities and injuries, as well as multiple strikes targeting other airports and Saudi Aramco facilities, said a statement.

Security Council members expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia in facing attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects on its territory, underlining its inherent right to self-defense in line with international law.

The statement reiterated the members' strong condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and threats against commercial navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, stressing the importance of maintaining the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.

Members emphasized the importance of full implementation of Resolution 2216 and subsequent resolutions, and called for practical cooperation, including with the government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons, related materiel, technical assistance, training, funding, and other forms of assistance related to military activities required to launch further attacks.

The statement demanded that the Houthis immediately halt their military escalation and attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, reiterating the Security Council's support for the Yemeni government and the strong commitment of its members to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.

Members reiterated their support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in his efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement.


Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
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Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh on Thursday on a visit to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

He was received upon arrival by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji.