Saudi Oil Grant Lights up Hadramout, Aden

The oil tanker that carried the third batch of the Saudi oil derivatives grant to Yemen in the port of Aden at the end of last July (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The oil tanker that carried the third batch of the Saudi oil derivatives grant to Yemen in the port of Aden at the end of last July (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Oil Grant Lights up Hadramout, Aden

The oil tanker that carried the third batch of the Saudi oil derivatives grant to Yemen in the port of Aden at the end of last July (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The oil tanker that carried the third batch of the Saudi oil derivatives grant to Yemen in the port of Aden at the end of last July (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi oil grant to power stations in Yemen has raised production capacities by 40%, with the generated electricity feeding the governorates of Aden, Lahij, and Abyan.

Also, locals in Hadramout governorate, the largest in Yemen, reported an improvement in their power supply.

The Kingdom’s oil donation has helped decrease daily blackouts from six-hour breaks to three-hour pauses, providing electricity in five-hour intervals.

Moreover, the grant has helped the Yemeni government save significantly on its budget and has alleviated the suffering Yemenis used to experience as a result of power stations going out of service each month due to fuel shortages or delays in fuel delivery.

In the interim capital, Aden, government employee Abdulaziz al-Sqaf confirmed that the Kingdom’s successive grants to Yemeni power stations had a positive effect that citizens can feel.

According to al-Sqaf electricity blackouts have been halved, and power stations are no longer shutting down because of fuel deficiencies.

Amin Abdullah, a retail shop owner in Aden, confirmed that the difference the grant achieved was substantial and that all Yemenis were talking about how great of an improvement the donation has brought about to their lives.

Power cut-offs had severely affected the population, including seniors, children, and the ill. More so, electricity blackouts had taken their toll on the supply of essential commodities to Yemeni families, businesses, and the economy.

“People had suffered greatly from poor electricity supplies amid rising temperatures, and some families were forced to live in hotels,” Abdullah told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Nevertheless, Abdullah said that the situation is much better with the Saudi donation helping power stations produce more electricity for the people.

In Hadramout's capital city, Mukalla, local radio station director Majdi Baziad confirmed that the oil grant had achieved remarkable stability in electricity services in districts lying on the governorate’s coast.



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.