Saudi Arabia Officially Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Charge d'Affaires Abdullah al-Haris speaks at the reopening of the embassy in Damascus. (Saudi Arabia's embassy in Damascus)
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Abdullah al-Haris speaks at the reopening of the embassy in Damascus. (Saudi Arabia's embassy in Damascus)
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Saudi Arabia Officially Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Charge d'Affaires Abdullah al-Haris speaks at the reopening of the embassy in Damascus. (Saudi Arabia's embassy in Damascus)
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Abdullah al-Haris speaks at the reopening of the embassy in Damascus. (Saudi Arabia's embassy in Damascus)

Saudi Arabia officially reopened on Tuesday its embassy in Damascus after a 12-year closure.

Saudi Charge d'Affaires Abdullah al-Haris made the announcement during the reopening in the Syrian capital. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several senior Syrian government officials and diplomats.

Al-Haris described the reopening as a historic day in relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

He underscored the embassy’s keenness on exerting all possible efforts to bolster bilateral relations between Riyadh and Damascus.

Saudi Arabia had named Faisal bin Saud al-Mujfel as its ambassador to Syria months after announcing that it was restoring diplomatic ties with Damascus.

He is the Kingdom’s first ambassador to Syria since 2012.

Riyadh and Damascus announced in October that they were restoring ties, days after Syria’s membership was reinstated in the Arab League. Flights between the two countries were also resumed.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.