King of Bahrain: No Fee Hike Until Reaching Consensus on Subsidy Restructuring

King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. BNA
King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. BNA
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King of Bahrain: No Fee Hike Until Reaching Consensus on Subsidy Restructuring

King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. BNA
King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. BNA

King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain issued Sunday directives stating that there will be no fee hike until the joint executive-legislative committee completes studying the subsidy file.

The King stressed that Bahrain is moving forward to adopt development initiatives and employ all potentials to meet the aspirations of citizens and achieve further national achievements.

HM highlighted the importance of reaching consensus between the executive and the legislative authorities to achieve more development and progress for the country and its people in terms of development and prosperity.

He gave priority to restructuring the subsidy to ensure that government subsidies benefit the citizens who are affected by fee increase, affirming that there will be no fee hike until the joint executive-legislative committee completes its work and until the National Audit Office makes sure that the process is in line with the laws and criteria adopted and implemented by the Kingdom.

This came during the King’s reception of Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at al-Sakhir Palace on Sunday.

King Hamad also received Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmalik Al Sheikh, who handed over to HM a written letter from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inviting HM to attend the closing ceremony of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which is set to be held in Riyadh next month.

For his part, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ali al-Aradi said: “We are talking about fees.”

"The committee has a set of files that are related to the subsidy and redirecting it to those who deserve it,” Chairman of the legislative committee, which is considering reorienting government subsidy with the government’s executive committee.

“The King has issued earlier directives to form a committee composed of the legislative and executive authorities to restructure the subsidy and give it to those who need it.”

“The file related to redirecting subsidy is very important and is being discussed between the executive and legislative authorities at the highest levels, and there will be no increase in fees before reaching consensus between the two sides,” Aradi stressed.



Arab League Condemns Israeli Decision to Establish New Settlements in West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Israeli Decision to Establish New Settlements in West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the decision by the Israeli occupation’s ministerial committee to approve the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, considering it a blatant challenge to the international will rejecting settlement activity and a violation of international law, which affirms the illegitimacy of settlements.

In a statement issued Monday, the secretary-general said the continued expansion of illegal settlement activity aims to prevent the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state and reflects the nature of the Israeli government, which he said is controlled by extremists and settlers, SPA reported.

Aboul Gheit stressed that settlement expansion will not make it legitimate under any circumstances.

 

He highlighted that the violence practiced by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank constitutes a form of terrorism carried out under the watch and with the protection of the official institutions of the occupying power.


Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Arrives in Muscat for Meeting of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council 

Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)
Omani FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi welcomes his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah upon his arrival in Muscat. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Muscat on Monday.

He was received by his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi upon his arrival at Muscat International Airport.

The two sides are scheduled to hold the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decorated Chief of the Pakistani Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, honoring his distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, wishing him continued success in his new role.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in defense, discussing efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest.