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Gulf

King Salman to Citizens: Doors, Ears Open

King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
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King Salman to Citizens: Doors, Ears Open

King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz launched the new projects of the New Taif at Salam Palace on Sunday by saying that “Our doors, our phones, and our ears are open for every citizen.”

“With the blessing of Allah, we endorse in principle and in accordance to the capacities available and accredited fiscal funds, praying Almighty to grace these projects with munificence and good returns,” he said.

The King was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq who pointed out that the New Taif is located north-east of the current city of Taif on an area of about 1250 square kilometers and its total costs are estimated at about SR 11 billion.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of Taif Development Supreme Committee; Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the National Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, President of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and a number of ministers.

The General Authority for Civil Aviation has signed a contract to develop and operate the new Taif International Airport with a group of companies including Asiad, the Contractors Association Co. and Munich Airports Co.

The airport will be built on a 48 million square meter site 40 km from Taif and 117 km from Makkah and is expected to be operational by 2020. The touristic project will create 4,400 jobs and is expected to attract more than 260,000 visitors a year.

A consortium of global companies has been selected to design a business park called the Oasis of Technology, a joint venture between King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology and the Morganti Group. The 35 million square meter site will accommodate projects to assemble and manufacture Antonov aircraft, make solar panels and develop solar energy.

A new Industrial City, the first in Taif Province, will be built on an 11 million square meter site 55km from the city center and 29km from the airport. The first phase will include light, medium and heavy industries, and a vocational training center.

The new university will be built at Sysid National Park. It is composed of 16 separate projects over an area of 16.344.000 square meters.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Tuesday its disappointment in the United Arab Emirates for pressuring the Southern Transitional Council to carry out military operations on the Kingdom's southern borders in Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, which it deemed a threat to its national security and the security and stability of Yemen and the region.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said: "The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous, inconsistent with the principles upon which the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve the coalition's purpose of achieving security and stability for Yemen."

"The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat," it declared.

It underscored "its commitment to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Yemen, and affirms its full support to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government."

"The Kingdom reaffirms that the Southern cause is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions, and that the only path to resolve it is through dialogue within a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and among all Yemeni parties including the Southern Transitional Council."

"The Kingdom stresses the importance that the brotherly UAE accept Yemen's request for all its forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, and halt any military or financial support to any party within Yemen."

"With this regard, the Kingdom hopes that wisdom, the principles of brotherhood, good neighborliness, strong ties among countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the interest of brotherly Yemen, will prevail," it said.

"The Kingdom also hopes that the brotherly UAE will take the necessary steps to preserve bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, which the Kingdom is keen on strengthening, and continue joint efforts towards all that leads to the wellbeing, prosperity and stability of countries in the region."

Gulf

Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
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Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)

The Joint Forces Command of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen announced that it had carried out a "limited" airstrike targeting a military shipment that had arrived in Yemen's Al-Mukalla port.

In a statement, coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the forces detected on Saturday and Sunday the arrival of two vessels from the Port of Fujairah to Mukalla without obtaining any permits from the Joint Forces Command.

"The crew had disabled the tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates in eastern Yemen," it added.

It described the actions as "flagrant violations" of peace efforts and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.

In response to a request of the president of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen that the coalition "take all necessary military measures to safeguard civilians in Hadhramaut and Mahra and considering that the aforementioned weapons are an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability," the Coalition Air Force conducted on Tuesday a limited airstrike targeting the weapons and military vehicles offloaded in Mukalla.

"The airstrike took place following close surveillance and documentation of the cargo, and was conducted in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law, and in a manner that guarantees no collateral damage."

"The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue its de-escalation and pacification in Hadhramaut and Mahra, and will maintain its blocking of any and all military support from whichever country that does so without coordinating with the legitimate Yemeni Government and the coalition, in order to ensure the success of Saudi Arabia and coalition’s efforts to achieve security and stability, and prevent further expansion of the conflict."

Gulf

Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi on Monday at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait.

Albudaiwi presented a comprehensive report to Sheikh Sabah regarding Kuwait’s presidency of the 45th session of the GCC Supreme Council, and expressed his appreciation for the generous support and steadfast commitment Kuwait provides to the GCC's journey, SPA reported.

He underscored that such support serves as a powerful catalyst for continued efforts toward achieving greater integration and cooperation, ultimately fostering prosperity and well-being for the GCC member states and their peoples.