Riyadh Hosts International Workshop to Improve Yemeni Institutions

The workshop aims to build and develop the capabilities of Yemeni institutions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The workshop aims to build and develop the capabilities of Yemeni institutions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Hosts International Workshop to Improve Yemeni Institutions

The workshop aims to build and develop the capabilities of Yemeni institutions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The workshop aims to build and develop the capabilities of Yemeni institutions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Coordination Group for Building and Developing the Capacity of Yemeni Institutions held on Tuesday its first workshop in Riyadh, with the participation of a number of Yemeni and Saudi institutions and international organizations.

The two-day workshop aims to discuss means to strengthen the work of the Yemeni government and institutions.

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber said that the workshop was organized by the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen and aimed at building and developing the capabilities of Yemeni institutions, with the participation of five Yemeni parties and eight international organizations, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union, various UN entities, and a number of Saudi ministries.

Al Jaber noted that the workshop focused on working with international organizations to support and build the capacities of Yemeni institutions, and raise the contribution of the international community, along with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, to the development and reconstruction of Yemen.

The international gathering also sheds light on the efforts of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, and the successes it has achieved in building the capacities of Yemeni ministries, including electricity and finance, and various other bodies within local authorities.

“We expect the workshop to produce a roadmap for each of the capacity-building tracks of Yemeni institutions, under the supervision of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, with continuous support from the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen,” the ambassador said.

For his part, Waed Badeeb, Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, said that the workshop would target, in its first round, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Yemen.

Badeeb valued Saudi Arabia and all donors for standing by Yemeni institutions, meeting their urgent need to recover from the repercussions of the war, strengthening their capabilities, and providing technical support.



Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Iran on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Iran on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Wednesday a cable of congratulations to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on his country's National Day.

King Salman wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Iran steady progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Pezeshkian a similar cable on the occasion.


Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
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Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts for regional de-escalation and stability in a phone call, the Emiri Diwan said on Wednesday, as Washington and Tehran pursue diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear program.

They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises through dialogue and peaceful means, said Qatar’s state news agency QNA.

The call comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu where ‌the Israeli ‌prime minister is expected ‌to ⁠press him to widen ⁠US talks with Iran to include curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.

Qatar has been engaging in diplomatic efforts with regional allies to ease tensions between ⁠Washington and Tehran to avert the ‌threat of a ‌military confrontation between the longtime adversaries.

Ali Larijani, an ‌adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader ‌Ali Khamenei, arrived in Qatar on Wednesday and was expected to meet with Sheikh Tamim, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume ‌negotiations.

The two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week, which ⁠a ⁠spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said had allowed Tehran to gauge Washington's seriousness and showed enough consensus for diplomacy to continue.

Doha has also been mediating between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war, alongside the US and Egypt.


Saudi King Calls for Istisqa Prayer on Thursday

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
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Saudi King Calls for Istisqa Prayer on Thursday

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has called for the Istisqa (rain-seeking) prayer to be performed across the Kingdom on Thursday, the Royal Court said in a statement.

The statement urged everyone to supplicate to Allah Almighty for forgiveness, repentance, good deeds, and rainfall.