Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
TT
20

Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will meet in Beijing on Thursday, sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The officials will meet to activate the agreement reached last month in China to restore diplomatic relations.

The sources said Thursday’s talks have been preceded by a series of three telephone calls between the FMs that tackled the future steps that will be taken between their countries in line with the landmark agreement that was brokered by China, as well as activate other deals between them.

Beijing was chosen for the meeting between the FMs as an extension of its positive role in mediating the agreement and facilitating communication between the Kingdom and Iran, said the sources.

On March 10, the countries agreed to restore ties that had been severed for seven years. They added that the deal will be implemented within 60 days.

They stressed respecting the sovereignty of countries and refraining from meddling in their internal affairs. They agreed to activate all joint deals between them, including cooperation in security, economic, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, youth and sports affairs.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were severed in wake of an attack on the Kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad in January 2016.



At Crown Prince’s Proposal, King Salman Directs Naming Riyadh Squares After State's Imams, Kings

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
TT
20

At Crown Prince’s Proposal, King Salman Directs Naming Riyadh Squares After State's Imams, Kings

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directed on Saturday the naming of 15 squares in Riyadh after the imams and kings of the Saudi State, following a proposal by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The move coincides with Saudi Arabia’s celebration of Founding Day on February 22.

The directive underscores King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed’s commitment to honoring the immense legacy of the imams and kings who, for over 300 years, have been instrumental in establishing, unifying, developing, and protecting the Kingdom, preserving its resources, ensuring its security, and elevating its people.

The 15 squares, prominently located on Riyadh's main roads, will bear the names of: Imam Muhammad bin Saud, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, Imam Abdullah bin Saud, Imam Turki bin Abdullah, Imam Faisal bin Turki, Imam Abdullah bin Faisal, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal, King Abdulaziz, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid, King Fahd, King Abdullah, and King Salman.