King Salman holds talks with US state secretary Pompeo
Both sides discussed relations between the two countries, and regional and international issues
Pompeo also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Updated 21 February 2020
Arab News
RIYADH: King Salman received US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday, the second day of the US official's three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
They discussed the distinguished relations between the Kingdom and the United States. They also reviewed the position of the two countries on regional and international events.
Pompeo then visited American troops at the Prince Sultan air base, south of Riyadh, where some 2,500 US troops are stationed in response to threats from Iran.
"Pompeo's visit to Prince Sultan air base and a nearby US Patriot battery highlights the long-standing US-Saudi security relationship and reaffirms America's determination to stand with Saudi Arabia in the face of Iranian malign behaviour," the State Department said in a statement.
"In response to the attacks and at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United States deployed missile defence, and fighter jets on a defensive mission to deter and protect against any future attacks."
Pompeo is also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and deputy defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
Pompeo's visit to the Kingdom comes in the wake of a US-ordered drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful general, as he visited Baghdad on January 3.
Saudi Arabia's Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia's AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla's 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah's combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the "expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla's pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area."
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences. (SPA)
AlUla's protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
"Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies," Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
