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Saudi Arabia: Return to Normalcy Backed by Numbers

Saudi Arabia: Return to Normalcy Backed by Numbers
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Saudi Arabia: Return to Normalcy Backed by Numbers

Saudi Arabia: Return to Normalcy Backed by Numbers

Revamping tourism in Saudi Arabia is a priority in the process of restoring normalcy post the damage that hit the sector globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not taking long after lockdown has been lifted, Saudi Arabia launched its summer 2020 tourism program, dubbed Tanaffas (Arabic for breathe), amid solid preventative measures that ensure entertainment and safety.

The Director General of the Tourism Information and Research Center in Saudi Arabia, Hassan Jannah, in a press update on the developments regarding the novel coronavirus, revised hotel occupancy rates during the Saudi summer season.

Jannah cited an increase in hotel occupancy rates in the 10 tourism destinations set by Saudi Arabia during the first two weeks of launching the summer season on June 25.

Hotel occupancy rates stood at 36%, which Jannah said was expected given that life has barely started returning to normal.

According to Jannah, the regions of Asir and al-Baha witnessed the greatest reception of visitors whereby some hotels in those regions recorded a whopping 80% occupancy rate.

“This reflects the desire of tourists to visit al-Baha and Asir regions and enjoy their beautiful climate this time of year,” Jannah said.

Nevertheless, the number of hotel rooms in al-Baha and Asir constitute only 10% of the total rooms in the 10 designated tourism hotspots and therefore have a limited affect over the overall hotel occupancy rate, Jannah added.

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Gulf

MWL Condemns Continued Iranian Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan, Commercial Vessels

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Continued Iranian Attacks on Gulf States, Jordan, Commercial Vessels

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) on Sunday strongly condemned Iran’s continued aggression against Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan, as well as the targeting of commercial vessels, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

In a statement by its General Secretariat, the MWL denounced these Iranian attacks as violations of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Secretary-General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa renewed his condemnation of these repeated Iranian attacks, stressing that they violate all religious values as well as international and humanitarian laws and norms.

Al-Issa underscored that the continued attacks also undermine efforts to restore security and stability across the region.

Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Sunday targeting US military facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions following US strikes on Iranian targets.

 

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Separate Talks with Arab and International Counterparts

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Separate Talks with Arab and International Counterparts

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks with several counterparts from Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq and Ukraine, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The Saudi minister discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, the bilateral relations between their countries, the latest regional developments and the crisis in Ukraine, and exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest.

The Saudi minister also held separate phone calls with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani; and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan Ayman Safadi.

Discussions focused on the latest developments in the region where the ministers reaffirmed their condemnation of the repeated Iranian attacks against countries in the region, as well as their rejection of any actions that could undermine the sovereignty of states or threaten the region’s security and stability. They also exchanged views on a number of issues, foremost among them efforts to restore security, de-escalate tensions, and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, an official meeting was held between the Saudi minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Dr. Fuad Hussein, with the attendance of several senior officials from both sides.

During the meeting, they reviewed the fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and explored ways to strengthen them across various fields. They also discussed the latest developments in the region and issues of mutual interest.

The two sides emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty, upholding the principles of good neighborliness, refraining from interference in the internal affairs of states, and rejecting the use of any country’s territory to threaten the security and stability of other states.

The Iraqi side reaffirmed commitment not to allow its territory or airspace to be used as a launching point for any acts or attacks targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, or other countries in the region.

The two sides also stressed the importance of supporting Iraq’s security and stability, strengthening the role of its national institutions, and continuing coordination and cooperation.

Gulf

GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Iran's Continued Destabilizing Behavior, Repeated Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior regarding regional security and stability, its repeated brutal targeting of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as well as its dangerous attacks on commercial vessels.

Albudaiwi stated that Iran's behavior constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, as well as a direct undermining of maritime security and freedom of navigation, SPA reported.

He noted that these repeated, brutal Iranian attacks not only hinder all endeavors aimed at achieving security and stability in the region, but also reveal a systematic insistence on perpetuating chaos, in blatant defiance of international law and the international community's shared will to establish peace.

He underlined that the GCC supports all measures taken by the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan to bolster their security, safeguard their sovereignty, and protect their peoples and residents across their territories.