Saudi Arabia Hopes Talks with Iran Can Lead to Trust Building

King Salman addresses the General Assembly. (SPA)
King Salman addresses the General Assembly. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Hopes Talks with Iran Can Lead to Trust Building

King Salman addresses the General Assembly. (SPA)
King Salman addresses the General Assembly. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia hoped on Wednesday that its preliminary talks with Iran could lead to tangible results for building trust.

This in turn will lead to establishing ties of cooperation that are built on commitment to international principles and resolutions and respecting sovereignty, said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz before the 76th United Nations General Assembly.

The relations should also be based on refraining from meddling in the internal affairs of others and stopping all forms of support to terrorist groups and sectarian militias, he stressed during the speech that he delivered virtually.

Moreover, he underscored the importance of a Middle East that is devoid of all forms of weapons of mass destruction, underlining the Kingdom’s ongoing fight against of extremist and terrorist ideology.

King Salman said the challenges facing the world today demand bolstering international cooperation, while highlighting the pivotal role Saudi Arabia has played in leading the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

He also highlighted the Kingdom’s support to efforts to fight the pandemic, stressing the Kingdom’s keenness on the recovery of the global economy.

He added that the Kingdom will continue to play a major humanitarian and development role in helping countries that are most in need and most affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

On Yemen, he emphasized that the Saudi initiative was sufficient to end the conflict and bloodshed and put a stop to the suffering of the people. The Iran-backed Houthi militias, however, continue to reject peaceful solutions.

The militias are banking on the military option and are committing violations against the people on a daily basis, he added.

The Kingdom, he declared, reserves its legitimate right to defend itself against any attacks and it vehemently rejects any attempt to meddle in its internal affairs.

On Vision 2030, he said that it aims for prosperity and creating a better future.

“We have made great leaps in the past five years since the ambitious vision was launched,” King Salman said. These achievements include supporting local industries, developing infrastructure, communication technology and energy solutions, investing in several sectors, empowering women and the youth and improving quality of life.



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.