Saudi Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts to Back Efforts of UN Envoy to Yemen

The Saudi ambassador to Yemen receives UN envoy Griffiths. (SPA)
The Saudi ambassador to Yemen receives UN envoy Griffiths. (SPA)
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Saudi Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts to Back Efforts of UN Envoy to Yemen

The Saudi ambassador to Yemen receives UN envoy Griffiths. (SPA)
The Saudi ambassador to Yemen receives UN envoy Griffiths. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has intensified its diplomatic efforts with other Arab states to push for a solution that ends the suffering inflicted by Iran-backed Houthis on the Yemeni people. The scale up follows United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths concluding his visit to Riyadh.

Griffiths was in the Saudi capital to meet with officials from Yemen’s legitimate government to receive their approval on his final draft to the “joint declaration.”

The envoy said he held constructive meetings with Yemeni Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hadhrami and parliament Speaker Sultan al-Burkani. The officials discussed the latest updates to the draft joint declaration.

Discussions also focused on the dire humanitarian consequences of the military escalation in and around Marib, which Griffiths said continues to be safe haven for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced Yemenis.

The envoy also renewed his emphasis that the attack on Marib must immediately cease

Griffiths also met with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber, who confirmed Riyadh’s support to the envoy’s efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in the war-torn country.

The envoy welcomed progress in the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and discussed ways to move towards a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

In other news, Jordan denounced the Houthis' continued attempts to target civilians in Saudi Arabia, stressing full support for the Kingdom’s efforts towards defending its security and stability.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daifallah Fayez also condemned the militias’ continued launching of ballistic missiles and drones targeting the Yemeni city of Marib.

The spokesperson also emphasized the need to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire, pointing out that the Houthis must comply with all UN efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to end the crisis, restore Yemen's security and stability and meet the Yemeni people’s aspirations.



GASTAT Announces 1,673,230 Pilgrims for Hajj

GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
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GASTAT Announces 1,673,230 Pilgrims for Hajj

GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA
GASTAT announces total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH - SPA

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced on Thursday that a total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj.

Of these, 1,506,576 arrived from abroad, while 166,654 are from within the Kingdom, including both citizens and residents.

According to a GASTAT press release, male pilgrims, both internal and external, totaled 877,841, while female pilgrims numbered 795,389. GASTAT also revealed that 1,435,017 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom via airports, 66,465 through land border crossings, and 5,094 via seaports.

GASTAT's methodology for these statistics relies primarily on administrative records from the Ministry of Interior. This approach, which has been consistently adopted over the past five years, aims to provide high-accuracy and reliable register-based data for Hajj statistics, utilizing a standardized model with several key components.

As the Kingdom's official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia and is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities, including technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom.

On this occasion, GASTAT President Dr. Fahad Aldossari extended his sincere appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unwavering support and comprehensive care provided to the pilgrims.