Iran Hails Saudi Arabia's Role in Evacuating Iranians from Sudan

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani (AFP)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani (AFP)
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Iran Hails Saudi Arabia's Role in Evacuating Iranians from Sudan

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani (AFP)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani (AFP)

Iran on Saturday hailed Saudi Arabia’s role in evacuating 65 Iranian citizens from conflict-torn Sudan.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that since the onset of the unrest in Sudan, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has deported 65 Iranians stranded in Sudan, and “has taken the necessary arrangements to transfer them safely from Khartoum to Port Sudan, and from there to the port of Jeddah."

He added that the “influential” Saudi cooperation was “beneficial and deserves appreciation and gratitude" for facilitating the evacuation of Iranians.

Saudi Arabia has assisted in evacuating individuals of different nationalities from Sudan, besides its own citizens.

"We have seen effective cooperation and assistance from Saudi Arabia that deserves appreciation and gratitude", said Kanaani.

He stressed that “following up on the safety of Iranians residing abroad is an important responsibility of the (Iranian) Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Hundreds of people have been killed since the fighting broke out in mid-April in Sudan, and thousands were injured as clashes continued despite a ceasefire that started on Monday and has been extended until the end of Sunday.



Saudi Arabia Urges Syria Sanctions Relief at Talks with Regional, EU Diplomats

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Syria Sanctions Relief at Talks with Regional, EU Diplomats

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meetings with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe that focused on the war-ravaged country's future.

"We stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after Sunday's talks concluded in Riyadh.
The agenda included a meeting of Arab officials as well as a broader gathering that also included Türkiye, France, the European Union and the United Nations.
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main opposition group in the alliance that overthrew Bashar Al-Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief. His administration is represented at the Riyadh talks by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

This month Saudi Arabia sent food, shelter and medical supplies to Syria by land and by plane.

"We also emphasized the importance of continuing to provide various forms of humanitarian and economic support, as well as efforts to build the capacity of the Syrian state, achieve stability, and facilitate reconstruction," Prince Faisal said in his statement.

"This includes creating a conducive environment for the return of Syrian refugees."