Saudi Arabia Says Determined to Continue Economic Reform

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says Determined to Continue Economic Reform

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that it was committed to pursuing economic reforms as stipulated in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and as reflected in its recently unveiled 2020 budget.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

He praised the adoption of the budget, saying it promises further prosperity and development for Saudi Arabia. He urged ministers and officials to adhere to the budget and all of its development and social programs and projects.

The cabinet highlighted in this regard the remarks by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, that the state was determined to continue along the path of economic reform and diversifying sources of income. He stressed that the state was keen on establishing an attractive investment environment that will pave the way for greater opportunities for coming generations.

The cabinet also tackled the 40th Gulf Cooperation Council summit that was held in Riyadh earlier this month. The council had expressed its keenness on securing the stability of the region, underlining the need for unity and harmony to confront challenges.

King Salman briefed the ministers on the telephone calls he held with US President Donald Trump, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. He also briefed them on the meeting he held with Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and the cable he sent to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

Information Minister Turki al-Shabanah told the Saudi Press Agency that the cabinet addressed the Royal Decree that approved the organizational and structural arrangements related to combating financial and administrative corruption. Concerned agencies will be grouped into a single body, the audit and anti-corruption authority.

This reflects the leadership’s keenness on combating financial corruption, protecting public funds and holding perpetrators accountable, he added.

The cabinet also hailed the signing of an agreement to set up the Unified Military Command Headquarters of the GCC in Riyadh. This reflects the determination to establish security and defense cooperation and coordination to preserve Gulf stability.

Addressing regional and international developments, the cabinet congratulated Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his election as Algerian president.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.