Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Pakistan blast, offers condolences for victims 

A man mourns for his relative, who was killed in the suicide bombing inside a mosque, at a hospital, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on January 30, 2023. (AP)
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Updated 31 January 2023

Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Pakistan blast, offers condolences for victims 

  • Saudi Arabia says it stands by Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism
  • Blast inside mosque in northwestern Pakistan killed over 80 people on Monday

ISLAMABAD: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday strongly condemned a bomb blast that took place in northwestern Pakistan, killing over 80 people and injuring several others, saying that it stands by the people of Pakistan after the attack. 

Eighty-three people were killed and over 50 were injured when a blast ripped through a mosque located in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Monday afternoon, during Zuhr prayers, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. 

The mosque was located inside a compound where the headquarters of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is located. Militant groups have stepped up attacks against security forces in Pakistan ever since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down last year. 

A senior Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander claimed responsibility for the Peshawar blast. However, hours after the attack, the TTP released a statement distancing itself from the episode, saying that it did not target the mosque. 

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that took place at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan," Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. 

The Kingdom stated its "firm position" against targeting places of worship and shedding the blood of innocent citizens. "The Ministry also affirms that the Kingdom stands by the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, regardless of its motives or justifications."

Saudi Arabia condoled with the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. 


Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

Updated 15 sec ago

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

  • The aim of the two-day event, which begins on June 11, is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment
  • Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 delegates from 23 countries set to attend

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will open the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh on Sunday, June 11.

The theme for the two -day event, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is “Collaborating For Prosperity,” and its aim is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment that benefits Arab nations and China.

The event is being organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment in partnership with the Arab League secretary-general, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Union of Arab Chambers.

It will look at investment opportunities in a variety of industries, organizers said. Key areas for potential cooperation include technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chains and innovation.

The agenda includes dialogue sessions and bilateral meetings to discuss ways in which Arab nations and China can work together to achieve prosperity and sustainable development.

Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said the crown prince’s patronage of the event reflects the commitment of the Saudi leadership to efforts to foster strategic partnerships with global economic powers.

He said that this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 decision-makers, government officials, investors, business owners and experts from 23 countries set to attend.

It will include eight panel discussions, 18 workshops, and a showcase of high-quality projects and cutting-edge technology. In particular, it aims to strengthen the Arab-Chinese partnerships as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s infrastructure-development strategy, in the areas of investment, the economy and trade, organizers said.


Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

Updated 34 min 23 sec ago

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Thursday the storming and vandalism of its embassy building and attache offices in Sudan by armed groups.

In a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry, the Kingdom also denounced the sabotaging of housing and property of Saudi embassy staff.

The ministry expressed the Kingdom's total rejection of all forms of violence and sabotage towards diplomatic missions and representations.

It reiterated the importance of confronting these armed groups that are trying to undermine the return of security and stability to Sudan and its people. 

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Saudi crown prince, US state secretary discuss cooperation

Updated 07 June 2023

Saudi crown prince, US state secretary discuss cooperation

  • Blinken's trip comes as the Kingdom and US seek to broker a durable ceasefire between Sudan’s warring generals
  • The US official will also participate in a US-Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting to discuss cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Wednesday.

The pair discussed ways to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations in various fields, and efforts toward the latest regional and International developments.

Senior Saudi and US officials attended the meeting.

Blinken arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday.

His trip comes as the Kingdom and US seek to broker a durable cease-fire between Sudan’s warring generals in ongoing talks in Jeddah.

Blinken will participate in a US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting to discuss growing cooperation with Gulf partners and how they can promote security, stability, de-escalation, regional integration, and economic opportunities across the Middle East, spokesman Matt Miller said.

The state secretary and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will co-host a ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh “to address the continuing threat of (Daesh) and reaffirm our commitment to ensure its enduring defeat,” he added.


Saudi Cabinet backs OPEC+ agreement to stabilize oil markets

Updated 07 June 2023

Saudi Cabinet backs OPEC+ agreement to stabilize oil markets

RIYADH: Saudi ministers backed this week’s oil agreement between exporting countries and supported the Kingdom’s voluntary production cut.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, known as OPEC+, announced on Sunday to limit oil output in 2024.

Saudi Arabia said it will extend its voluntary cut of 500,000 bpd until the end of December 2024, in coordination with some countries participating in the OPEC+ agreement.

The Saudi energy ministry also announced an additional voluntary oil output cut of 1 million bpd for July, which could be extended further.

This would mean that the Kingdom’s production becomes 9 million bpd, and its total voluntary cut will be 1.5 million bpd in July.

Defending the decisions made by the oil producers’ alliance, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed the need to “trust OPEC+” which he described as “the most effective international organization” working to restore market stability.

“It was just our sensibility, if you will call it, that the environment was not sufficiently allowing confidence to be there. So taking a precautionary measure tends to put you on the safe side. And it is part of the typical rhythm that we have installed in OPEC, which is being proactive, being preemptive,” Prince Abdulaziz said.

In other business, ministers at Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, said the successful Saudi mission to the International Station shows the Kingdom’s strengthening role in space technologies. 

The mission also comes as an extension of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to empower people, protect the planet, and shape new horizons through science, research and innovations, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Wednesday.

The officials reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment, during the BRICS meeting, to continue working with international partners to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030, and to intensify global efforts to enhance food and energy security.

Locally, the Cabinet emphasized the government’s commitment to improve the level of services provided to citizens, including enhancing water resources and working on their sustainability through the launch of many high-quality and efficient projects. This includes the Jubail 3A Desalination Plant project, which was recently launched and is considered the largest of its kind in the world.

Ministers praised the comprehensive data provided by the Saudi census 2022, which will be a pillar for planning, development, decision-making and economic and social policy-making,  in a way that contributes to achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and preparing to create a better future.
 

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Iran’s embassy reopens in Saudi Arabia

Updated 07 June 2023

Iran’s embassy reopens in Saudi Arabia

  • Both countries had agreed to end a diplomatic rift under a China-mediated deal in March
  • Today 'important day' in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iranian minister says

RIYADH: Iran’s embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh has reopened, Al Arabiya reported on Tuesday.

Both countries agreed to end a diplomatic rift under a China-mediated deal in March.

“We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli told a flag-raising ceremony.

“The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era,” he added.

“Iran’s embassy in Riyadh, our Consulate General in Jeddah and our office to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be officially reopened on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday.