Saudi Ministry of Sport suspends public attendance at events from Saturday

The Saudi Ministry of Sports suspended public attendance at sporting events across the Kingdom starting from Saturday, according to a statement released on Friday. (AN Photo/File)
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Updated 07 March 2020
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Saudi Ministry of Sport suspends public attendance at events from Saturday

  • Statement said the suspension will run until further notice

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Sports suspended public attendance at sporting events across the Kingdom starting from Saturday, according to a statement released on Friday.

The statement said the suspension will run until further notice.

The decision was based on the recommendations of authorities in charge of dealing with the ongoing coronavirus and was taken in the "interest of the safety of all."

The Ministry said the suspension was a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the virus.


Saudi foreign minister joins Arab leaders and EU chiefs to discuss regional escalation

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Saudi foreign minister joins Arab leaders and EU chiefs to discuss regional escalation

  • They exchange views on the spread of conflict in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began 11 days ago
  • Leaders discuss joint actions to enhance regional and international security; EU officials express solidarity with countries affected by Iranian attacks

RIYADH: The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, joined leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council member states, as well as Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkiye and Armenia, in a teleconference to discuss the escalation of the conflict in the region.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on the spread of attacks in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes against Iran that began on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated by launching missile and drones against targets in several countries in the region.

The leaders condemned the “cowardly attacks” that have affected several countries, including the targeting of civilians, vital facilities and diplomatic missions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Other participants in the meeting included Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who expressed full solidarity with affected countries.

The leaders also discussed joint actions to enhance regional and international security, protect civilians and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.

Several representatives from the Saudi Foreign Ministry also took part in the meeting, including Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, the undersecretary for multilateral international affairs; Nasser Al-Ghannoum, director general of the ministry’s General Department of Asian Affairs; and Talal Al-Enezi, director of the European Union department.