Saudi Mediation Leads to Successful Prisoner Swap Between Russia, Ukraine

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Mediation Leads to Successful Prisoner Swap Between Russia, Ukraine

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday the success of a mediation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow released ten prisoners from Morocco, the United States, Britain, Sweden and Ukraine.

The Ministry stressed that the move reflects Crown Prince Mohammed’s ongoing efforts in adopting humanitarian initiatives in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

It added that the concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia transported the prisoners from Russia to the Kingdom and are working on returning them to their homes.

The Ministry expressed the Saudi government’s gratitude to its Russian and Ukrainian counterparts for their cooperation and response to the efforts carried out by Crown Prince Mohammed to release the prisoners.



Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
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Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology warned on Friday of heavy rains in Makkah and Al-Jumum Governorate including the centers of Rahat and Madrakah.

The rain will be accompanied by strong winds, lack of horizontal visibility, hail, torrents, and thunderstorms.

It said the weather conditions will continue until Friday night.

Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in cooperation with other government agencies working in the Grand Mosque, intensified cleaning and drying of the Mataf area (circumambulation track) after the rainfall witnessed in Makkah on Thursday to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and Umrah performers.

The authority mobilized more than 200 supervisors and observers, 4,000 workers, and more than 500 pieces of equipment to deal with the rain.

To ensure the thoroughness of the cleaning process, water suction and washing equipment were strategically distributed both inside and outside the Grand Mosque.