Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
TT

Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that 10,452 citizens have travelled abroad via land crossings and airports 24 hours after Riyadh eased travel restrictions on Monday.

The ministry stated on its Twitter account, that 1,938 citizens travelled to the UAE, 1,545 to Egypt, 299 to Qatar, 233 to the United States, and 165 to the United Kingdom.

It added that 5,717 citizens left through five land ports: 3,362 through King Fahd Causeway, 689 via al-Batha, 673 al-Haditha, 325 Salwa, and 270 al-Khafji border crossings.

Saudi Arabia had banned citizens and residents from travelling abroad for the past 14 months out of concerns for the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, the government permitted citizens immunized against Covid-19 and children under 18 to travel abroad.

The Interior Ministry said three categories of people would be considered immunized -- those who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the previous six months.

Travelers must provide an insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank, covering the risks of COVID-19 abroad.

The Ministry indicated that those travelling to Bahrain must be above 18 and must present proof via the Tawakkalna app about their health status whether they are immunized, fully vaccinated, or recovering patients.

It stated that all precautions and preventive measures related to travel will be subject to continuous evaluation by the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), according to the developments of the epidemiological situation.



Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Impact of Houthi Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Riyadh on Thursday with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

They reviewed ways to strengthen the defense partnership between their countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests.

They also condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom, discussed their repercussions for security and stability, and exchanged views on regional developments.


UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
TT

UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)
A previous Security Council session on Yemen, attended by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. (Saudi Arabia's Mission to the United Nations)

The UN Security Council strongly condemned on Thursday the ongoing and escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including those that hit civil aviation and energy infrastructure, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

This includes the "reckless strikes" targeting King Khalid International Airport on October 10 and 11, which caused fatalities and injuries, as well as multiple strikes targeting other airports and Saudi Aramco facilities, said a statement.

Security Council members expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia in facing attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects on its territory, underlining its inherent right to self-defense in line with international law.

The statement reiterated the members' strong condemnation of ongoing Houthi attacks and threats against commercial navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, stressing the importance of maintaining the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.

Members emphasized the importance of full implementation of Resolution 2216 and subsequent resolutions, and called for practical cooperation, including with the government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons, related materiel, technical assistance, training, funding, and other forms of assistance related to military activities required to launch further attacks.

The statement demanded that the Houthis immediately halt their military escalation and attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, reiterating the Security Council's support for the Yemeni government and the strong commitment of its members to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.

Members reiterated their support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in his efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive, Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement.


Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
TT

Syrian Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji welcomes Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani upon his arrival in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh on Thursday on a visit to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

He was received upon arrival by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji.