Envoys highlight Saudi Arabia’s support for joint Arab action

Arab foreign ministers pose for a group picture during the preparatory meeting in Riyadh on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Arab League Summit. (AFP)
Updated 14 April 2018
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Envoys highlight Saudi Arabia’s support for joint Arab action

  • Saudi Arabia is exerting all efforts to enable the Arab world to face challenges, envoy says
  • Algerian ambassador highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leading role in the fight against terrorism regionally and internationally

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has provided all the required human and material resources to secure the success of Sunday’s Arab League Summit, said a top envoy.

Saudi Arabia is exerting all efforts to enable the Arab world to face various political, economic and cultural challenges, said the Kingdom’s ambassador to Algeria, Dr. Sami bin Abdullah Al-Saleh. 

The summit will “constitute a qualitative leap and a new stage in the course of joint Arab action,” which will “positively influence the course of events in the Arab world,” he said.

“The Kingdom has underscored in many instances the importance and necessity of adopting an Arab strategy to counter the challenges that threaten the security of Arab countries, especially terrorism.”

Al-Saleh highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leading role in the fight against terrorism regionally and internationally. 

He expressed optimism that the summit will adopt resolutions that will boost Arab solidarity and provide more mechanisms to eradicate terrorism and strengthen economies.

“The Kingdom will put all its potential at the disposal of Arab countries… so as to reach an effective Arab position on the international scene,” Al-Saleh said.

The Saudi ambassador to Morocco, Dr. Abdulaziz Muhieddin Khoja, highlighted the security challenges facing the region, and said the summit’s resolutions will hinder attempts by hostile forces to thwart Arab unity.

“The summit is taking place at a time when the Arab region is facing many challenges by Iran and its relentless attempts to meddle in the internal affairs of countries, spreading terrorism and sedition, and undermining security and stability, in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq,” he added.

The Saudi ambassador to Jordan, Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Turki, said the Kingdom “relentlessly endeavors to promote collaboration and synergy between Arab countries to address the challenges affecting the lives of Arab citizens on the political, security and social levels.”

He added: “It also strives to fortify relationships between Arab nations against intrusions of foreign countries that aim to split Arab ranks.”

Bin Turki stressed the importance of the issues on the summit‘s agenda, namely the fight against terrorism, the conflict in Syria, political and security challenges in Iraq, and Iran’s interventions in the internal affairs of Arab countries. 

He praised the Arab League’s backing for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.


Iran president warns suppliers against overpricing goods

Updated 5 sec ago
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Iran president warns suppliers against overpricing goods

  • The prices of some basic goods, such as cooking oil and eggs, have increased significantly since the policy was announced

TEHRAN: Iran’s president warned domestic suppliers against hoarding or overpricing goods, state media reported on Thursday, as Tehran rolls out high-stakes subsidy reforms amid nationwide protests over economic hardship.

“People should ‌not feel any ‌shortage in terms of goods’ supply and distribution,” Masoud Pezeshkian said, calling upon his government to ensure adequate supply of goods and monitoring of prices across the country.

Iran’s subsidy reform is intended to favor consumers over importers by removing preferential currency exchange rates that allowed importers to access foreign currency at rates cheaper than those available to ordinary Iranians.

Under the new policy, Iranians will receive about $7 per month to purchase basic goods at select grocery stores. 

The prices of some basic goods, such as cooking oil and eggs, have increased significantly since the policy was announced.

Germany criticized the “excessive use of force” against protesters after authorities used live fire and tear gas to disperse demonstrations.

“It is their right to express their opinion peacefully,” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of the protesters.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas ‍Araqchi said Tehran remained open to negotiations with the US as long as they are based ‌on “mutual respect and ‌interests, ‌but it was ‌also ready for war if that is Washington’s intent.

Araqchi, speaking at a press conference in Beirut, added that his visit to Lebanon aimed to discuss Israel’s “challenges and threats” to regional security and to expand bilateral ties.