Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction to Support Yemeni Students Abroad

Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction to Support Yemeni Students Abroad
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Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction to Support Yemeni Students Abroad

Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction to Support Yemeni Students Abroad

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) signed Tuesday an agreement with the Yemeni government to provide scholarships for Yemeni students abroad.

The “Education for Development” agreement was signed from the Yemeni side by ‍Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Vocational Training Khaled al-​Wasabi and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Waed Badhieb and from the Saudi side by the Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Chief Mohammed Al Jaber.

The agreement stipulates that the Program provide financial aids to pay the monthly allowances for Yemeni students on scholarships abroad.

These aids amount to some $46 million, including financial aid for the third and fourth quarters of 2020 and the first and second quarters of 2021.

It also covers the tuition fees for the academic year 2020/2021 for 796 students with $2.5 million.

The Education Ministry announced it has begun transferring and disbursing funds for the third quarter of the current academic year, with a total amount of $10.97 million, to cover school entitlements and monthly allowances for 6,136 Yemeni students on scholarships.

Wasabi hailed the efforts and directives of Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and the executive body to implement the agreement directly.

“This agreement will alleviate the suffering of thousands of students, enable them to complete their studies, maintain stability in their daily life and increase their educational attainment.”

He further praised the kingdom’s support for Yemen in various sectors, which reflects the distinguished brotherly bilateral relations.

“This grant will help the government fulfill its obligations towards its students pursuing studies abroad and to regularly disburse their financial aid, monthly stipends and tuition fees in a timely manner,” SABA news agency quoted Wasabi as saying.

Work is underway to complete the arrangements, prepare the lists and information of the students on scholarships and start disbursing these tuition fees in the upcoming few weeks, he stressed.



Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran. 

In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.” 

“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added. 

“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron. 

Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.” 

The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.” 

Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.  

He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France. 

Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted ‌to ‌him the ‌importance ⁠of de-escalating the current ⁠situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan. 

"I stressed the need for ⁠Iran to restore ‌freedom ‌of navigation and ‌security in the ‌Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which ‌France stands ready to contribute. ⁠I ⁠insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X. 

“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.” 


Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
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Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday the arrival of a military force from Pakistan at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector, acting in accordance with the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed between the two countries.

The force, which includes fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistani Air Force, aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani militaries to further support regional and international security and stability.

Riyadh ‌and Islamabad signed a mutual defense pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat ⁠any aggression against ⁠either country as an attack on both. 


Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Maxime Prévost, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

During the call, they discussed recent regional developments and the efforts being made to address them.