Two New Hospitals in Riyadh with 500 Hospital Beds

Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Two New Hospitals in Riyadh with 500 Hospital Beds

Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Arriyadh Development Authority approved the establishment of projects for the private sector, including two hospitals which will supply 500 more beds.

The Authority’s decision came during a meeting chaired by Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, who is also the Chairman of the Authority.

The private sector plans approved by the Authority included Dallah Medical Services project for the establishment of a 300-bed hospital in al-Ared district, with an area of ​​45,000 square meters.

There is also another project for Middle East Medical Company to establish a 200-bed hospital in al-Qirwan district on Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I Street, with an area of ​​38,000 square meters. As well as the plan by Gulf Oasis for Rehabilitation to establish a project to serve people with special needs, suffering from autism and Down syndrome, in Qirwan covering ​​18 thousand square meters.

The meeting “Development of Riyadh”, approved studying the conditions of furnished apartments and other uses on the streets of 30 to 36 meters. It discussed the decision on the improved building system, whereby an additional floor was allowed with 50 percent use for apartments on commercial streets.

The Authority stressed the units must be used for residential purposes, not including the use of furnished apartments and other uses. It ordered the implementation of a number of procedures in this regard, including the decision on the deadline of June 6 for those who have been licensed as furnished apartments or other uses as office, health and educational units.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar pointed out that regulating the authorities of development of regions and cities and the financial and administrative bodies recently approved by the government contribute to the exchange of experience between Arriyadh Development Authority and other bodies in the country.

The regulation ensures the commercial use of the units within the residential neighbourhoods, according to set conditions. This includes the development of an integrated shopping center with various services for the neighbourhood. One entrance and exit, with a ground floor only, including wooded and lighted pedestrian

CEO of Arriyadh Development Authority, Engineer Tarek al-Fares, said that the meeting lauded the government’s approval for Riyadh to be one of the “city data centers in 2030 for the cities of the world”.

Fares pointed out that the World Council on City Data selected Riyadh to be one of the local data centers in 2030 because of the city's position in providing detailed data. This will make Riyadh one of the world's leading cities in the field of city data.

Members of the Authority also adopted a comprehensive plan for al-Sali Valley which aims to enhance the aspects of the area. The plan was designed to encourage the private sector to develop investment opportunities along the 110 km, which include investment opportunities in recreation, culture and the environment.



Saudi Ambassador Inaugurates 3rd Phase of Lebanese Land Exports to the Kingdom

Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
TT

Saudi Ambassador Inaugurates 3rd Phase of Lebanese Land Exports to the Kingdom

Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari inaugurated on Thursday the third phase of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the resumption of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom.

The exports will pass through the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.

Thursday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, representing the prime minister, along with several government officials.

Rasamny praised the Kingdom’s decision to resume imports of Lebanese products, describing it as a direct support for the national economy and a step that opens new opportunities for Lebanese producers.

The ceremony also included the activation of the scanner at Masnaa. This was followed by an inspection visit to the site designated for the establishment of a new land border crossing center.


Oman Says Lasting Security in Strait of Hormuz Requires Regional Peace

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
TT

Oman Says Lasting Security in Strait of Hormuz Requires Regional Peace

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Oman said lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz required permanent peace in the region and rejected further escalation or conflict, its foreign minister told his Japanese counterpart on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Iran has said a deal with Oman on new shipping lanes through the strait was in its final stages.


Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
TT

Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing regional tensions and preventing renewed conflict through comprehensive, sustainable diplomatic solutions addressing the sources of instability in the Middle East.

“Diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities,” Prince Faisal declared during the third Saudi-Japanese Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh.

Prince Faisal highlighted the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, built on mutual trust and respect, and identified maritime security as a key shared priority.

He stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in international waterways in accordance with international law, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and other maritime passages must remain open, secure and free from threats.

The Saudi minister described Japan as an important economic partner and noted that Riyadh sought to expand cooperation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense and technology, as well as the exchange of expertise and capabilities.

He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia would remain a reliable partner for Japan, including in energy, while praising Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and stabilize global energy markets and trade.

Ahead of his visit to Riyadh and Muscat, Motegi noted that Saudi Arabia was playing a mediating role in talks between the United States and Iran and had seen its international influence expand significantly in recent years.

He pledged to deepen cooperation with the Kingdom as a strategic partner, particularly in ensuring stable energy supplies.

Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan’s assistant foreign minister and ministry spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo was “strategic and encompasses all fields,” adding that future defense cooperation was possible.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, Kitamura explained that Japan wanted to hear Saudi Arabia’s assessment of regional developments and strengthen coordination with Riyadh and Oman in support of peace and stability, particularly regarding Iran.

He noted that more than 95% of Japan’s crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its importance to global trade and the world economy.

Kitamura also expressed serious concern over Houthi attacks in Bab al-Mandab and indicated that Japan aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation beyond oil under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.