OIC Health Ministers to Hold Virtual Meeting on Coronavirus

FILE PHOTO: Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) scientists demonstrate the test process of their coronavirus test kit at their laboratory in Singapore March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su
FILE PHOTO: Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) scientists demonstrate the test process of their coronavirus test kit at their laboratory in Singapore March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su
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OIC Health Ministers to Hold Virtual Meeting on Coronavirus

FILE PHOTO: Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) scientists demonstrate the test process of their coronavirus test kit at their laboratory in Singapore March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su
FILE PHOTO: Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) scientists demonstrate the test process of their coronavirus test kit at their laboratory in Singapore March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is scheduled to hold on Thursday a meeting via video conference for its steering ministerial committee on health to combat the coronavirus.

The meeting will be held in coordination with the United Arab Emirates, chair of the Seventh Islamic Health Ministers Conference.

The meeting comes in light of the unprecedented challenges facing member states in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen said.

He pointed out that committee members will discuss the efforts of member states to tackle the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.

He further stated that the meeting aims to share information on the novel coronavirus, consult on the pandemic, and develop strategies to slow down and contain the spread of the disease in member states.

The members of the steering committee are Saudi Arabia, UAE, Maldives, Pakistan, Mauritania, Chad, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sudan.



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.