UAE, Sudan to Establish High-level Working Group

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan with Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan with Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
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UAE, Sudan to Establish High-level Working Group

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan with Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan with Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan received the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who arrived in the UAE on a working visit.

The two leaders agreed to establish a high-level joint working group to develop a vision for bilateral relations and propose projects and areas of cooperation.

Burhan arrived Tuesday in Abu Dhabi for a two-day visit, accompanied by the acting foreign minister, Ali Al-Sadeq.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum Airport, Sadeq said the two presidents stressed the importance of joint coordination to advance bilateral relations in all fields.

The talks addressed fraternal relations and opportunities to promote cooperation and joint work in various domains.

The two presidents affirmed their solidarity with the two brotherly peoples in Syria and Türkiye following the devastating earthquake.

Following the talks, Burhan lauded the sincere efforts made by the UAE in various areas, mainly its support of the Sudanese people in multiple stages.

He briefed Sheikh Mohamed on the developments of the political process in Sudan and the ongoing efforts to include all partners ahead of forming a civilian government that will lead the country in the next transitional period.

The UAE President affirmed the UAE's support for various efforts and initiatives that were in the interest of the Sudanese people in terms of unity, construction, development, and the establishment of a new phase during which Sudan will enjoy stability and prosperity.



Saudi Arabia: Former Public Security Director Convicted of Corruption

The ministry affirmed the Saudi government’s commitment to protecting public funds and combating corruption in all its forms. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The ministry affirmed the Saudi government’s commitment to protecting public funds and combating corruption in all its forms. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia: Former Public Security Director Convicted of Corruption

The ministry affirmed the Saudi government’s commitment to protecting public funds and combating corruption in all its forms. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The ministry affirmed the Saudi government’s commitment to protecting public funds and combating corruption in all its forms. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Friday that a final ruling had been issued confirming the conviction of former Public Security Director General Lt. Gen. Khaled bin Qarar Al-Harbi for crimes including bribery, forgery, and abuse of power. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, fined one million Saudi riyals, and ordered to return embezzled funds.

The ministry’s statement pointed to a royal order to terminate Al-Harbi’s service, retire him, and investigate him for numerous violations aimed at seizing public funds and personal gain. He was charged with several crimes, including forgery, bribery, and abuse of power. The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority began investigating the former official and referred him to the appropriate court under the criminal procedures system.

A final ruling was issued against Al-Harbi, confirming his guilt on two counts: bribery and forgery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined one million riyals, to be deposited into the state treasury.

He was also convicted of exploiting his official position for personal benefit, involvement in government contracts, and embezzling public funds. For these crimes, he received an additional 10-year prison sentence, and the bribes he received, totaling SAR10,084,303, were confiscated and deposited into the treasury.

Additionally, Al-Harbi was ordered to return the embezzled amount of SAR2,827,000 to the state treasury. Gifts and other financial aid amounting to SAR175,000 given to his relatives as bribes were also confiscated, along with two agricultural lands he had obtained through these crimes. Furthermore, he was ordered to return another SAR584,000 to the treasury that he had acquired from these offenses.

The ministry affirmed the Saudi government’s commitment to protecting public funds, combating corruption in all its forms, and safeguarding society from those who exploit their positions for personal gain or to harm public interests. It emphasized that the legal systems would be applied to violators, regardless of their position or status.