Saudi Crown Prince Launches Strategic Offices for Development of Al Baha, Al Jouf and Jazan

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Launches Strategic Offices for Development of Al Baha, Al Jouf and Jazan

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, announced the establishment and launch of the Strategic Offices for the Development of Al Baha, Al Jouf and Jazan regions.

The Strategic Offices aim to capitalize on the unique competitive advantages each of the three regions have to offer, while ensuring the development of a strong investment environment attracting private sector engagement on different fronts.

Sunday’s announcement is part of the Crown Prince’s call for comprehensive development across the Kingdom benefiting all citizens as part of a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation.

The Crown Prince also assured that the establishment of Strategic Offices in other regions where there are no development authorities or strategic offices will follow.

The establishment of the Strategic Offices for the development of the three regions follows the Crown Prince’s vision of creating comprehensive and sustainable development throughout the Kingdom by maximizing on each region’s unique competitive advantages and building upon them as economic pillars. As a result, this will create job opportunities for the citizens of the different regions, while elevating the quality of life, enhancing basic services, and improving the infrastructure for the citizens of those regions.

Al Baha is considered one of the most prominent touristic destinations in the Kingdom. The region includes a large number of forests and is well known for having the Raghdan Forest and the Qima’a and Shukran parks. The region is also the home of many ancient villages and forts.

Al Jouf is considered to be home to one of the oldest settlements in the Arabian peninsula dating back to the Paleolithic period. The region is known as the “Food basket of the Kingdom” as it contains fertile land with abundant water resources. It is a leader in olive oil production and is responsible for about 67% of the Kingdom’s olive oil production.

Jazan shows great promise in many economic sectors including logistics and agriculture. The region is home to one of the most important touristic destinations in the Kingdom, Farasan Islands and the Port of Jazan which is considered to be the third largest port on the Red Sea 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.