Tag: Arabia

Saudi Arabia frees 13 Houthi prisoners as Omani officials visit Sanaa

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has released 13 Houthi prisoners, in exchange for a Saudi prisoner who was released earlier.
The release on Saturday came as Omani officials arrived in the Yemeni capital Sanaa as part of international efforts to end the years-long conflict in Yemen.
The head of the National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, Abd al-Qadir al-Murtada took to Twitter on Saturday, wrote, “Today, we received 13 Houthi prisoners and detainees who were released by the Saudi authorities in Sana’a International Airport in exchange for a Saudi prisoner whom we released earlier.”

He adds, “We hope that this step will be a prelude to the implementation of the deal agreed upon at the end of this week.”
Al-Murtada said, “The prisoners released today from Saudi prisons are part of the deal agreed upon by the United Nations.”
Al-Murtada indicated that the rest of the steps related to the full implementation of the deal will be completed next Thursday.
استقبلنا اليوم في مطار صنعاء الدولي 13 أسيراً ومعتقلاً أفرجت عنهم السلطات السعودية في مقابل أسير سعودي أفرجنا عنه في وقتٍ سابق.
ونأمل أن تكون هذه الخطوة مقدمة لتنفيذ الصفقة المتفق عليها نهاية هذا الإسبوع ان شاءالله. pic.twitter.com/eX1r6WQcXO
— عبدالقادر المرتضى (@abdulqadermortd) April 8, 2023
الأسرى المفرج عنهم اليوم من السجون السعودية
هم جزء من الصفقة المتفق عليها عبر الأمم المتحدة
ويوم الخميس القادم إن شاءالله سنستكمل بقية الخطوات بالتنفيذ الكامل للصفقة.
— عبدالقادر المرتضى (@abdulqadermortd) April 8, 2023
On March 20, 2023, the Yemeni government announced an agreement with the Houthi group to release 887 prisoners and abductees from both sides, including Saudis and Sudanese, at the conclusion of consultations held in Switzerland regarding the exchange of prisoners between the two parties.
In March 2022, the Yemeni government signed an agreement with the Houthis under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to exchange more than 2,200 prisoners from both sides, but the process of their release stalled amid mutual accusations of obstructing it.

During consultations in Sweden in 2018, the two parties submitted lists of more than 15,000 prisoners, detainees and abductees, but no accurate official count of numbers is available after this date.
Yemen is suffering from a war that began after the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces at the end of 2014, and the conflict escalated since March 2015, after an Arab military coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened to support the legitimate government forces, in the face of the Iranian-backed Houthi group.

[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #frees #Houthi #prisoners #Omani #officials #visit #Sanaa
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
Saudi Arabia reveals average time to perform Umrah

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has revealed that the total average time for performing Umrah rituals from the beginning of Tawaf to the end of Sai is 104 minutes.
This was shared during the first ten days of the holy month of Ramzan through an infographic posted on the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques’ official Twitter account.
It takes an average of 49 minutes for Tawaf, 11 minutes for pilgrims to move from Tawaf to Sai, and 44 minutes for Sai.

These statistics come at a time when the Saudi authorities conducted field surveys to determine the average time in February 2022.
The General Presidency also stated that the Agency for Security, Safety, Emergency Response and Risk provided more than 500 security personnel to serve visitors to the Grand Mosque during the month of Ramzan.
Moreover, more than 15 multilingual security monitors are assigned to assist visitors to the Grand Mosque.
Subscribe us on

[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #reveals #average #time #perform #Umrah
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 8, 2023
Yemen govt officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss 3-yr plan to end civil war

[ad_1]
Aden: Yemen government officials have gathered in Saudi Arabia to discuss a comprehensive three-year peace plan to end the country’s prolomged civil war, a diplomat said here.
“Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman held a meeting on Thursday with Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), and other high-ranking Yemeni government officials in Riyadh, during which he presented the kingdom’s plan for peace in Yemen,” the diplomat told Xinhua news agency late Friday.
The proposed plan, which is based on a series of back-channel negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia in Muscat for the past few months, has three main stages that will be implemented over a period of three years, he said, adding the Yemeni officials have already shown their initial support for the plan.

The first phase of the plan, according to the source, is “a six-month truce between warring factions in Yemen, during which hostilities will cease and efforts will be made to rebuild trust and lay the groundwork for peace”.
The second phase would entail a dialogue to address key issues and grievances among the various Yemeni factions and reopen the closed roads, airspace and seaports.
The third stage would be a two-year transitional period during which a new and inclusive government would be established, paving the way for long-term stability and peace in the country, according to the official.
A truce agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebel group is likely to be announced in the coming days, the official added.
Meanwhile, another Yemeni government official confirmed to Xinhua that Muhammad Al Jaber, the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, along with an Omani delegation, is planning to meet Houthi leaders in Sanaa to discuss the “the final arrangements” of the truce.

Oman and the UN have mediated previous rounds of negotiations between the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi rebels.
Muscat’s role has been crucial in facilitating talks and maintaining good relations with both parties.
Yemeni observers hope that the proposed peace plan will be a viable solution to the ongoing conflict and alleviate the country’s humanitarian crisis.
The UN has been working to broker a political solution to the conflict, but previous attempts have failed due to a lack of trust between the warring parties and continued violence on the ground.
Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognised government.
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015.
[ad_2]
#Yemen #govt #officials #Saudi #Arabia #discuss #3yr #plan #civil #war
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 8, 2023
Iranian President to visit Saudi Arabia

[ad_1]
Tehran: Less than a month since Tehran and Riyadh agreed to restore diplomatic relations, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has accepted an invitation from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to visit the kingdom, a top official confirmed here.
Iran’s first vice president Mohammad Mokhber made the remarks on Monday while he was asked by the media respond to the Saudi King’s invitation to Raisi of visiting Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported.
China, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced on March 10 that the latter two had reached a deal which includes the agreement to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months.

On March 19, Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian President’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs, had confirmed that the Saudi king sent the invitation letter to Raisi to visit Riyadh.
In a social media post, Jamshidi had said the monarch said in the letter that he welcomed the deal between the two “brotherly countries” on the normalisation of bilateral ties and called for strong economic and regional cooperation between Riyadh and Tehran.
The two nations have also announced they will reopen embassies within two months and re-establish trade and security relations.
Saudi Arabia cut ties in January 2016 after demonstrators stormed its embassy in Tehran after Riyadh had executed the prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was convicted of terror-related offences.
Since then, tensions between the Sunni- and Shia-led neighbours have often been high, with each regarding the other as a threatening power seeking regional dominance.

They have been on opposing sides of several regional conflicts, including the civil wars in Syria and Yemen.
Also on Monday, it was announced that Iran and Saudi Arabia will open a joint chamber of commerce soon.
Keyvan Kashefi, a member of the presiding board of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), said that Tehran plans to begin the exchange of business delegations with Saudi Arabia immediately after the reopening of the embassies in the two countries and the reinstatement of their ambassadors.
[ad_2]
#Iranian #President #visit #Saudi #Arabia
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 4, 2023
Saudi Arabia announces voluntary oil production cut

[ad_1]
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry has announced a voluntary oil cut of 500,000 barrels per day from May till the end of 2023.
The production cut is in coordination with some other countries of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC Participating Countries in the Declaration of Cooperation, said the Ministry in a statement on Sunday.
It noted that the voluntary cut is in addition to the reduction in production agreed upon at the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on October 5, 2022, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry clarified that the decision is a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the global oil market.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #announces #voluntary #oil #production #cut
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 3, 2023
Saudi Arabia to become SCO dialogue partner

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The cabinet of Saudi Arabia’s government has approved a memorandum granting the country the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, according to Saudi Gazette, citing Saudi Press Agency.
The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace on Tuesday, approved the cooperation agreement between the Presidency of State Security in the Kingdom and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in India for combating terrorist crimes and its financing.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the cabinet has amended article 4 of the provisions regulating the National Tobacco Control Committee to, “The committee shall have a secretariat based in the Public Health Authority in Riyadh.”
At the beginning of the session, the Cabinet reviewed the details of telephone conversations between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman and the president of the Republic of France, the prime minister of the Republic of Iraq and the president of the People’s Republic of China.
The discussions centred around relations, areas of partnership, and opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Gazette.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the 155th Session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and discussed the developments in joint Gulf action and political issues in the regional and international arenas.
The Cabinet reviewed the latest international developments. It condemned attempts to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an. It stressed the need to consolidate the values of dialogue, tolerance, and respect and reject everything that spreads hatred and extremism.
The Cabinet has also authorised the minister of energy, and chairman of the board of directors of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to discuss and sign with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a draft agreement between King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #SCO #dialogue #partner
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia to renovate 1300-year-old Al-Safa mosque in Al-Baha

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 13th century mosque built nearly 1,350 years ago, will be renovated as part of a project to safeguard the Kingdom’s heritage, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
This step comes within the framework of the second phase of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project to develop historic mosques, which was launched in 2018.
The project aims to renovate 130 mosques of historical and religious importance across the Kingdom.
Al-Safa Mosque in Baljurashi Governorate, Al-Baha Region, is one of the oldest mosques in the Kingdom.
The renovation aims to preserve Sarat’s unique style and historical value while restoring its aesthetic elements and renovating its construction.
Al-Safa was built with stones from the Sarawat Mountains, and local wood was used in the ceilings, columns, windows, and doors.
The historic mosque is surrounded by buildings separated by narrow lines in the mountainous area. It is supported by two separate columns of juniper trees.
Al-Safa occupies an area of 78 square meters and can accommodate 31 worshipers.

The mosque was built for the first time by Sufyan bin Auf Al-Ghamdi.
The mosque was a prominent social center where villagers would gather between sunset and evening prayers, discuss local affairs and resolve disputes.
During the first phase of the project, 30 mosques were renovated at a cost of about 50 million Saudi Riyals (Rs 1,09,42,66,094).
The second phase covered 30 historical mosques in the Kingdom’s 13 regions, including six mosques in Riyadh, five mosques in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two each in the eastern regions of Al-Jawf and Jizan, and one mosque each in Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail and Al-Qassim.
[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #renovate #1300yearold #AlSafa #mosque #AlBaha
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 30, 2023
Saudi Arabia to allow foreigners to purchase property

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has revealed that foreigners will be allowed to purchase property anywhere in the Kingdom, local media reported.
The Kingdom’s Real Estate General Authority chief Abdullah Alhammad said that it is in the final stages of establishing a new system for foreign ownership of real estate.
The comment on foreign ownership of real estate in the Kingdom came during a television interview on the Gulf Rotana channel, the Arabic daily Okaz reported.
This comes after Saudi Arabia issued a directive in 2021 allowing foreigners and legal residents of the country to purchase a single property with certain conditions.
Foreigners will reportedly be able to purchase real estate of all kinds, including commercial, residential and agricultural properties.
The system is also supposed to allow ownership in Makkah and Madinah.
Although it was not clear when the rule would take effect, Al-Hamad was quoted as saying it would be “soon.”
The Kingdom’s latest move could open up new investment destinations for expatriates and global investors looking for greener pastures away from traditional markets, including the UAE.

Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #foreigners #purchase #property
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 30, 2023
Saudi Arabia signals readiness to provide more credit to Pakistan

[ad_1]
Islamabad: Pakistan claimed that it received an indication from Saudi Arabia for additional loans that may help to break gridlock with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“We have received an indication from Saudi Arabia about getting something,” Dr Aisha Pasha, the Minister of State for Finance, said after attending a meeting of a parliamentary committee, without explaining the loan amount, The Express Tribune reported.
She also informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that some progress was made a day earlier on a friendly country deposit, saying, “we will soon reach the stage to sign the Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF”.
The IMF has asked Pakistan to arrange $6 billion in additional loans and at least half of those must be materialised before the board meeting.
The funds are needed to avoid sovereign default and also increasing the foreign exchange reserves to a level sufficient to back 1.7 months of imports, Express Tribune reported.
Pakistan had told the IMF that it would get $2 billion in additional loans from Saudi Arabia and $1 billion from the UAE to meet the additional financing requirements.
Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salim Al-Zaabi, Ambassador of the UAE also called on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Dar highlighted various avenues in which both countries could enhance their existing trade and investment relations.

Sources said the IMF wanted the $3 billion to be arranged from
[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #signals #readiness #provide #credit #Pakistan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 30, 2023
Egyptian pilgrim dies of heart attack during Umrah in Saudi Arabia

[ad_1]
Riyadh: An Egyptian pilgrim passed away while on a fast and performing Umrah rituals at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the holy month of Ramzan, local media reported.
Heba Mustafa, an Egyptian Umrah pilgrim from Qena Governorate, suffered a heart attack while in the mosque.
Mustafa’s husband Dr Abdel-Moneim Al-Khatib, professor of surgery at the Faculty of Medicine at Assiut University, mourned her loss on Facebook, calling her his soul mate, companion, and caregiver, and praising her as a good, obedient wife.
“I testify to God that she was a good, obedient wife who is loyal to her family and her husband’s family.”
“Heba’s passing is a great loss for my family and loved ones. May Allah rest her soul in eternal peace,” he added.
Saudi Arabia sees a huge influx of travellers who come to perform Umrah during the month of Ramzan. It is believed that performing Umrah in this holy month is more of a blessing than performing it at any other time of the year.
Subscribe us on

[ad_2]
#Egyptian #pilgrim #dies #heart #attack #Umrah #Saudi #Arabia
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 29, 2023