JEDDAH: US Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir agreed on the negative impact of passing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) law on the concept of state sovereignty during a meeting in Washington on Thursday.
JASTA grants an exception to the legal principle of sovereign immunity in cases of terrorism on US soil, clearing the way for lawsuits seeking damages from the Saudi government, said Al-Arabiya.
“We also discussed possible ways to carry out justice while respecting and honoring the needs and rights of the victims of 9/11; this should be done in a way that does not expose American troops and American individuals who may be involved in operations in another country to danger,” Kerry said in a joint conference.
Al-Jubeir stressed the importance of the principle of state sovereignty, indicating that it is a fundamental principle of international law that was established after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1600. He added that the weakening of sovereignty would spread chaos internationally.
Al-Jubeir said the United States is vulnerable in this regard due to its operations, which stretch all the way from Japan to South America and the Pacific. “This reality has prompted many countries to reject the JASTA law altogether.”
The two also sides discussed the situations in Mosul, Libya and Yemen, said Al-Jubeir.
Regarding the Syrian crisis, Kerry expressed his desire to end the suffering of Aleppo through the outcomes of the talks hosted in Geneva.
On Yemen, Kerry stressed the importance of the Houthis’ commitment to a cease-fire.
Al-Jubeir revealed that there have been 150 violations of the cease-fire deal by Houthi fighters in Taiz alone, condemning the escalation of violence and stressing Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself and protect its territory.
“I want to emphasize that we have a right to defend ourselves, we have a right to protect our borders, we have a right to protect our citizens and we have to ensure that the other side maintains its commitment to the cessation of hostilities,” Al-Jubeir said.
The UN special envoy for Yemen on Friday urged “restraint” as the shaky truce took hold.
The cease-fire “is fragile but largely holding,” envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a statement.
He urged participants “to show restraint, avoid further escalation, and strictly adhere to the 72-hour cease-fire.”
The UN official is liaising with the parties in an attempt to extend the cease-fire in order “to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace” in Yemen.
The envoy also “reminds all parties that the terms and conditions” of the cease-fire “include commitments for the unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and personnel to all parts of Yemen.”
The truce, for an initial period of three days, took effect just before midnight on Wednesday to allow sorely needed aid deliveries in Yemen, where the conflict has left millions homeless and hungry.
Five previous truce attempts failed, but cautious optimism preceded the current pause after an escalation of combat led to intensified international pressure.
— With input from agencies
US ‘vulnerable to JASTA because of global operations’
US ‘vulnerable to JASTA because of global operations’
Saudi watchdog warns of possible health risk from Nestle baby formula
- Company voluntarily recalls its Nan, Alfamino, S-26 Gold and S-26 Ultima products over concerns they might be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by bacteria
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority says recall is precautionary and no related illnesses have been reported, but advises consumers to dispose of recalled products immediately
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Tuesday warned the public not to consume certain Nestle infant formula products, after the company issued a voluntary recall over concerns about possible contamination.
The advisory covers products marketed under the Nan, Alfamino, S-26 Gold and S-26 Ultima brands. They might be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can pose a risk to infant health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Saudi authority said the recall was a precautionary measure and no related illnesses have been reported. Possible symptoms of exposure can include nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.
It advised consumers to dispose of the recalled products immediately, and said it was coordinating with Nestle to ensure they are removed from stores and is monitoring the process.
Full details of the affected products, including batch numbers, are available at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority website. The organization said consumers can report any food safety concerns by calling 19999.
