Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Monday extended a deposit it gave the central bank of Yemen's legitimate government in 2018, and agreed to pay the final installment of the promised $2 billion, the central bank and Saudi ambassador to Yemen said.

The Saudi finance ministry said the 2018 deposit duration would be extended and this would support Yemen's currency and economic situation.

The central bank, now based in Aden which is the interim headquarters of Yemen's government, said the final installment which would be paid amounted to $174 million.

Saudi Arabia last month said it would arrange a new support package of $3 billion for Yemen's economy: $2 billion from Riyadh and another $1 billion from the United Arab Emirates, also part of the coalition.

Riyadh's ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jaber said on Twitter governance and technical discussions were taking place about a new $2 billion deposit that would come from the UAE and Saudi money.

The conflict has caused a serious devaluation of Yemen's currency and a shortage of foreign reserves, and has created what that United Nations calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two officials reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them across various fields. They also discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to support security and stability in the region.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials from both sides.


Saudi Defense Minister Offers Condolences to Qatari PM on Passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Offers Condolences to Qatari PM on Passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman held telephone talks on Wednesday with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to offer his condolences over the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Prince Khalid expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, praying for God's mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased.


Saudi Arabia, the UK to Support Vulnerable Groups in Yemen with $10 Million

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, the UK to Support Vulnerable Groups in Yemen with $10 Million

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Carl Skau have signed a cooperation agreement to support vulnerable groups in several Yemeni governorates.

The agreement forms part of Saudi Arabia's humanitarian and relief projects and programs delivered through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to assist people in need and those affected by crises around the world.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday via video conference in the presence of UK Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Alice Burt.

Under the agreement, KSrelief and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will each contribute half of a $10 million financial package to the WFP to support the project in Yemen's Al-Mahrah, Hadhramout, Aden, Al-Dhale, and Lahij governorates.

The agreement aims to address the food needs of the most vulnerable groups by providing asset-creation support activities for beneficiaries and improving their access to food through conditional cash transfers, enabling them to become less dependent on humanitarian assistance.

The project also includes rehabilitating productive infrastructure, helping targeted households transition from Phase 4 acute food insecurity to greater stability and self-reliance, implementing vocational training programs, developing beneficiaries' skills to enhance productivity, strengthening the capacities of local authorities, and activating governance systems to manage and sustain community assets.