Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
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Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, which mobilizes 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the plan in the presence of the minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the director of the General Directorate of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Bassami.

Al-Sudais pointed to the plan being based on ten main axes related to strategic goals stemming from Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Moreover, he said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Al-Sudais said that all services and programs were being followed up minute by minute to ensure the highest quality, through a set of indicators supervised by the presidency around the clock.

In addition, the presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles a day in the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafah would be translated into 10 different languages.

He noted that this year’s Hajj season follows two exceptional seasons in which Saudi Arabia showed resounding success in crisis management under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.



Saudi Arabia Provides 224 Million Riyals to Support Yemen's Government Budget

The new Saudi support comes in response to the Yemeni government's urgent needs. (Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen)
The new Saudi support comes in response to the Yemeni government's urgent needs. (Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen)
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Saudi Arabia Provides 224 Million Riyals to Support Yemen's Government Budget

The new Saudi support comes in response to the Yemeni government's urgent needs. (Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen)
The new Saudi support comes in response to the Yemeni government's urgent needs. (Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen)

Saudi Arabia has provided a new installment of its budget support grant to the Yemeni government, worth more than 224 million riyals, in response to a request from the Yemeni government and as part of the Kingdom's continued support for the Yemeni people and government.

The support, directed by the Saudi leadership, comes amid the challenges facing Yemen and attacks by the Houthi militias targeting the resources, property, and interests of the Yemeni people.

Saudi Arabia said the new installment, provided through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, aims to strengthen the regular flow of government finances and support fiscal policy efficiency, helping to strengthen the purchasing power of Yemeni citizens and support economic stability.

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber said the new installment of the budget support grant comes at the direction of the Saudi leadership, reaffirming the Kingdom's continued support for the Yemeni government amid the country's current circumstances.

The ambassador said the new installment exceeds 224 million Saudi riyals and will contribute to strengthening the regular flow of government finances and supporting fiscal policy efficiency.

He added that the grant will strengthen the purchasing power of Yemeni citizens, supporting economic stability and easing the effects of the circumstances facing the country.

The grant is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to support the Yemeni government, strengthen its ability to meet its financial obligations, and support the Yemeni economy amid current conditions.


UAE Forms Investigation Team to Probe Flydubai Flight Incident

UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi (Emirates News Agency)
UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi (Emirates News Agency)
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UAE Forms Investigation Team to Probe Flydubai Flight Incident

UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi (Emirates News Agency)
UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi (Emirates News Agency)

UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of an investigation team comprising specialized members of the Public Prosecution to investigate an incident involving Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv yesterday and was diverted before landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

According to WAM, the investigation follows Flydubai's announcement that an altercation had occurred inside the cockpit during the flight, prompting members of the airline's crew aboard the aircraft to intervene and secure it.

WAM said the investigation team has begun its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and relevant authorities in the UAE. The Public Prosecutor also directed that the necessary procedures be taken to gather information and evidence and establish the facts, circumstances, details, and motives surrounding the incident.

The investigation will also determine whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose, or whether it involved prior planning or direction, according to WAM.

The Public Prosecutor stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and urged against speculation or the circulation of unverified information about the incident before the competent authorities complete their collection and verification of the facts.

He stressed the need to rely on information and data issued by official sources and not preempt the findings of the investigation.

WAM also said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident under applicable legislation, given that the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies its flag. Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even when they occur outside the country's territory.


Saudi, UK Defense Ministers Discuss Strategic Defense Relations

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, UK Defense Ministers Discuss Strategic Defense Relations

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Wednesday a phone call with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense Wes Streeting for talks on strategic defense relations between their countries.

They also discussed joint efforts to address regional developments.

They reaffirmed their support for measures that promote regional security and stability and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.