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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).

The Saudi Cabinet welcomed the US administration’s announcement of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, rebuild the strip, and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Cabinet also welcomed the president’s declaration that he would not allow the annexation of the West Bank by Israel.

During Tuesday's session in Riyadh, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet affirmed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to cooperate with the US to achieve a comprehensive agreement to halt the war in the Gaza Strip, ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the strip, and provide adequate, unrestricted humanitarian assistance.

The Cabinet emphasized that these efforts would support the pursuit of a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The session also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to increase the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, highlighting the growing international commitment to securing the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to self-determination.

In his statements to the Cabinet, the Crown Prince further expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries for the sincere feelings they conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 95th National Day.

He offered praise and gratitude to Allah Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon this blessed nation, including its stability, prosperity, and development, as well as the unprecedented achievements it has realized along its path of progress, SPA reported.

Notably, during the session, the Cabinet reviewed recent overall state affairs, with a particular focus on efforts to strengthen relations with countries worldwide. It commended the positive outcomes of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom, during which the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed to enhance defense cooperation between the two brotherly nations and promote security and peace in the region and beyond.

In a statement to SPA following the session, Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary emphasized the Cabinet's appreciation for the Saudi delegation's active participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and the associated international meetings.

The minister stated that the Cabinet expressed appreciation for the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This election reflects the international community's confidence in the Kingdom's proactive role and its ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in this field, promoting global development and peace.

The Cabinet also recognized the Kingdom's election to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), having secured 175 out of 184 votes, which reflects the member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership and contributions in aviation.

It affirmed that the inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program underscores the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural environments and advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Additionally, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum held in Riyadh, noting the extensive participation from various countries and the signing of agreements to foster a sustainable future in this vital sector, enhancing the quality of life and urban landscapes.

The meeting also reviewed developments in the water sector across all regions of the Kingdom, including the inauguration and foundation laying of 122 environmental, water, and agriculture projects in Eastern Region, with investments exceeding SAR28.8 billion. These projects aim to achieve environmental and water sustainability while strengthening production, storage, distribution, treatment, and water quality systems.

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Gulf

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks
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Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Health Minister: We Act Proactively on Health Risks

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired Tuesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved the formation of a permanent committee to oversee all matters related to asbestos and ensure enforcement of its ban, marking a new step in public health and regulatory oversight.

Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom approaches health risks with a proactive strategy grounded in clear policies and long-term planning.

“Any risk we detect affecting citizens, the government works to develop the necessary tools to avert it and to continue enhancing quality of life,” Al-Jalajel said, citing previous announcements including a national drowning prevention policy and a strategic drug policy.

Saudi action on asbestos dates back years, and the decision to establish a monitoring committee follows earlier Cabinet rulings. Decisions numbered 1419 and 1422 halted the use of asbestos, barred its inclusion in official specifications, and banned its import, export, and manufacture.

The measures also mandated the replacement and safe disposal of asbestos in buildings and water networks, alongside continued studies due to its health and environmental hazards.

Scientifically, asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers once widely used commercially and, in some cases, still in use. Exposure can be fatal, affecting workers and others who come into contact with the fibers.

The material gained commercial value for its exceptional tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and relative resistance to chemical damage. It has been used for insulation in buildings and in products such as roofing sheets, water supply pipes, fire blankets, plastic fillers, medical packaging, vehicle clutches, and brake linings.

There are six main forms of asbestos, with chrysotile, or white asbestos, among the most widely used today. The World Health Organization has concluded that all forms of asbestos cause cancer. It also links asbestos exposure to chronic respiratory diseases.

Because asbestos has been embedded in construction materials, those involved in building, maintaining, or demolishing affected structures may face risks even decades after installation.

WHO assessments classify all six major forms of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans. Exposure, including to chrysotile, is associated with cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings.

Clear scientific evidence also shows it causes chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and other severe lung damage.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos at work. More than 107,000 people die each year from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis linked to occupational exposure.

Globally, asbestos is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO, and accounts for roughly one-third of occupational cancer deaths. Thousands more fatalities each year are attributed to domestic exposure.

As of 2024, 50 countries had banned asbestos. In others, uncertainty remains amid insufficient and incomplete data.

 

Gulf

SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

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

The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) hosted in Riyadh on Wednesday a meeting of the Yemen Partners Group (YPG), co-chaired by the Yemeni government, United Kingdom, and World Bank, with the participation of the United Nations and international organizations.

Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani; UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Julien Harneis and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Supervisor General Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, as well as a number of ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and donor entities attended the meeting.

Zindani expressed confidence in the new government and its clearly defined priorities that it will work to implement, which will help achieve stability and economic recovery.

He stressed the government’s aim to maximize benefit from the vital projects and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia through the SDRPY, which offers important support for basic sectors and for boosting development efforts across Yemen.

Zindani expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support to Yemen, commending the level of cooperation with the SDRPY and its efforts in supporting and empowering national institutions.

For his part, Grundberg emphasized the importance of the development projects provided by the Kingdom, particularly at this stage, noting positive indicators in Yemen, especially improvements in energy-sector stability.

Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Ghaleb reviewed the bank’s priorities, stressing its commitment to transparency, the need to combat inflation, and the importance of international coordination and support to address challenges.

Al Jaber underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to overcome obstacles facing peace and development in Yemen under the leadership of the Yemeni government.

The meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the priorities of the government and Central Bank, strengthening coordination to ensure that development and financial support is directed efficiently and effectively, and to assist donor entities and international organizations in aligning their interventions with the government’s priorities, he added.

The meeting reviewed a package of Saudi development projects worth SAR1.9 billion provided to Yemen in January, which helped boost energy-sector stability through the fuel derivatives grant, ensuring the continued operation of hospitals and vital service facilities.

It reviewed other development projects and initiatives scheduled for delivery during the coming period.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a letter from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral relations and ways to support and boost them across various fields.

The message was received on behalf of the Foreign Minister by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting in Riyadh with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov.

They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.