RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s passport authority on Sunday said it was ready to operate international flights at full capacity at the Kingdom’s land border crossings, sea and air ports, as a travel ban is set to end on Monday.
The Ministry of Interior announced that citizens would be permitted to travel and all ports would reopen as of 1 a.m.
The General Directorate of Passports said those wishing to travel outside the Kingdom are required to follow the instructions issued by the interior ministry depending on what category they fall into.
The categories include those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, those who received one dose at least two weeks prior to travel, those recovering from the virus within six months from the date of travel, and citizens under 18-years-old provided they present a travel insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), covering the risks of COVID-19 outside the Kingdom before travel.
Saudi Arabian Airlines said it has completed preparations to operate flights to 71 destinations from 95 airports, including 28 domestic and 43 international destinations.
The airline said since the beginning of the pandemic, it has operated more than 100,000 flights and transported more than 10 million passengers.
Its fleet is regularly sterilized using UVC disinfection systems and all crew have been vaccinated.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said that around 385 flights are expected to operate throughout the Kingdom’s airports on Monday.
Meanwhile, the interior ministry said travel to a number of countries, directly or via another country, is still banned without prior permission.
In January, the ministry banned travel to Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Belarus, and India were the outbreak is till not under control or were the mutated strain is being spread.
Saudi authorities ready to receive passengers as travel ban ends
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Saudi authorities ready to receive passengers as travel ban ends
- Saudia airlines says it completed preparations to operate flights to 71 destinations from 95 airports
- Interior ministry said a ban on travel to countries where the virus is not under control still stands
King Salman receives written messages from leaders of Egypt and Jordan
- Both messages were received by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi
RIYADH: King Salman received written messages from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The message from El-Sisi concerned Saudi-Egyptian relations and was delivered by Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Farouk.
The message from King Abdullah concerned Saudi-Jordanian relations and was delivered by Jordan’s ambassador to the Kingdom Haitham Abu Al-Foul.
Both messages were received by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi.
Saudi crown prince calls Kuwaiti counterpart to congratulate him on new appointment
- Sheikh Sabah was appointed as crown prince of Kuwait on Saturday
- Prince Mohammed wished Sheikh Sabah success in his new role
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to congratulate him on his recent appointment, Saudi News Agency reported on Monday.
Sheikh Sabah was appointed as crown prince of Kuwait on Saturday.
Prince Mohammed wished Sheikh Sabah success in his new role and said he looked forward to strengthening cooperation between their countries.
Sheikh Sabah thanked Prince Mohammed for his good wishes and stressed his keenness for joint cooperation between the countries to continue.
Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council meeting
- A joint cooperation program was signed between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute
RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait chaired the second Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council meeting on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During a speech, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the council reflected the interest of King Salman and Sheikh Meshal in deepening the relations between their countries further.
Prince Faisal also stressed the importance of the council and its committees as an effective platform and institutional tool that shapes the work of the two countries.
The minister said he looked forward to making every effort to turn the council’s outcomes into a tangible reality.
Both Prince Faisal and Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya emphasized the importance of political cooperation, joint coordination at bilateral, regional and international levels, and crystallizing positions in a way that serves common interests in a way that brings security and stability to the two countries, their peoples, and the region.
They also stressed the importance of strengthening existing cooperation and coordinating efforts to combat terrorism and financing it, and exchanging counter-terrorism experience to achieve the security of their countries.
They praised cooperation that has resulted in the flow of capital and intra-regional trade which contribute to enabling mutual investments between the two countries.
They also praised the continuous development witnessed in sectors including energy, industry, communications, information technology, infrastructure and real estate development, and railway connectivity.
The ministers outlined Saudi-Kuwaiti efforts to develop a common vision to strengthen and sustain cooperation in the fields of culture, media, tourism, social development, and exchanging cultural programs.
A joint cooperation program was signed between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.
Two memoranda of understanding were signed between the two governments, the first on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates and the second in the field of technical cooperation to protect and preserve the environment.
Prince Faisal is on an official visit to Kuwait and was received earlier by the country’s emir, prime minister and foreign minister. He said he hoped to host the council’s third meeting in the Kingdom next year.
Saudi aid agency continues relief efforts worldwide
- KSrelief’s eye health team examined 4,500 people in one week
- In Yemen’s Buraiqah and Sheikh Othman districts, KSrelief provided 63 tonnes of food, assisting 1,071 people in need
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded the Noor Saudi Volunteer Program in Kabul, Afghanistan, in collaboration with the Al-Basar International Foundation.
As part of the program, KSrelief’s eye health team examined 4,500 people in one week, provided 1,008 pairs of glasses, administered medication to 5,600 patients and performed 408 eye surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The center is also implementing the same program in Herat province to combat blindness and its causes, ending on June 4.
In Syria, KSrelief distributed 949 food baskets and hygiene kits in Sarmada, Idlib province, aiding 5,721 people affected by earthquakes.
Meanwhile, in Yemen’s Buraiqah and Sheikh Othman districts, KSrelief provided 63 tonnes of food, assisting 1,071 people in need.
Furthermore, KSrelief initiated a volunteer project in N’Djamena, Chad, empowering women through training in sewing, embroidery, cooking and computer maintenance.
The project, running until June 4, aims to benefit 270 women, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to support women’s livelihoods.
In Jordan, KSrelief recently completed a project supplying caravans to Syrian refugees in Zaatari camp, providing housing for underprivileged families.
The initiative secured 500 caravans for 500 Syrian families, addressing the camp’s growing population.
Additionally, KSrelief gifted 25 tonnes of dates to Cameroon, enhancing bilateral relations. Khaled Al-Munif, charge d’affaires at the Saudi Embassy, presented the gift on behalf of the center.
Riyadh workshop explores Saudi Arabia’s archaeological landscape
- Experts share recent discoveries and plans for preservation
- Paola Pesaresi: Heritage represents wealth for future generations
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission on Monday hosted a workshop on archaeological surveying and excavation to discuss survey and excavation projects with partners from universities, organizations and government agencies.
The workshop in Riyadh included a presentation of the annual report of exploration projects and discussion of future survey and excavation plans.
Abdullah Al-Zahrani, director general of the antiquities sector at the commission, told Arab News: “This workshop aims to introduce our archaeological fieldwork conducted in Saudi Arabia over the past year and the beginning of this year. We hope to gain knowledge about the latest results and discoveries from our archaeological endeavors in Saudi Arabia by the end.”
He added: “The Heritage Commission is now collaborating with various Saudi universities, including King Saud University, as well as other Saudi colleges and commissions specializing in archaeology. We’d like to thank all our partners for their excellent work at archaeological sites, collaborating with the Heritage Commission to share knowledge and the results of Saudi Arabia’s history.”
The Heritage Commission’s 2030 Archaeological Survey and Excavation Projects Plan was developed collaboratively with national and international universities, as part of its cooperation with entities such as the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the Jeddah Historic District Program, regional development authorities, royal reserves, the NEOM project, the Red Sea project, and others.
According to the presentation, 72 scientific initiatives marked the culmination of the Heritage Commission’s surveying and archaeological excavation work.
In 2023, 1,556 archaeological sites were registered in the National Register of Antiquities. Additionally, 1,900 stone structures were documented across the Kingdom, discovered in diverse locations, sizes and shapes. Moreover, 7,600 rock facades were recorded, documenting those featuring drawings and inscriptions.
Paola Pesaresi, senior director of heritage management at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, expressed her admiration for the commission’s work.
“The Heritage Commission is doing wonderful work. I have been extremely astonished by the various presentations, gaining insight into the national level endeavors. The Kingdom is unveiling its history from north to south, and we are just one part of this ecosystem, which is remarkable. With support, cooperation, collaboration, and working together, the Heritage Commission plays a huge role in this.”
Pesaresi added: “Heritage is mentioned in its own word because it represents wealth for future generations; we are handing it down from our forefathers to the future, and this is our job.
“It is a legacy that will help people comprehend both their past and their present. And find their way in the future. That’s why it’s such a vital aspect of our work. And this country is growing rapidly.
“But,” she said, “we must ensure that we do not lose anything in the process, as this is the property of future generations, not our own.”
