Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Resuming Consular Services

The Saudi Foreign Ministry building. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Foreign Ministry building. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Resuming Consular Services

The Saudi Foreign Ministry building. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Foreign Ministry building. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry revealed on Thursday that talks are ongoing with Syria over resuming consular services.

A source at the ministry told Al-Ekhbariyah television that the talks stem from Riyadh’s keenness on facilitating the services for the Saudi and Syrian people.

Officials from both countries are discussing the matter.

The sources added that the resumption of consular services will pave the way for the re-establishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Other sources said a vote on reinstating Syria’s membership at the Arab League would be possible after Damascus mends its relations with Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia will host the next Arab League summit.

Syria’s membership has been a point of contention at ahead of past summit in recent years.



Saudi Defense Ministry Hosts Eighth Meeting of 'Dragon Group' Chiefs of Staff 

Officials are seen at the meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Ministry Hosts Eighth Meeting of 'Dragon Group' Chiefs of Staff 

Officials are seen at the meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted the eighth meeting of the "Dragon Group" Chiefs of Staff in Riyadh., reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by the chiefs of staff and representatives from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, United Kingdom, and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The meeting was opened by Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili and covered topics of common interest, including counter-terrorism, developments in the Palestinian territories, the need for humanitarian aid access, and regional de-escalation efforts.

The participants stressed the importance of maritime security, ensuring the safety of waterways, and strengthening anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations.