GCC secretary general receives British ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Jasem Albudaiwi (R) holds talks with Neil Crompton in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 January 2025
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GCC secretary general receives British ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • Albudaiwi emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the GCC and the UK within the framework of their strategic partnership

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi received UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton at the GCC Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed the progress of negotiations on the free trade agreement signed between the GCC and the UK and reviewed the latest regional and international developments, the General Secretariat wrote in a statement.

Albudaiwi emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the GCC and the UK within the framework of their strategic partnership, serving the aspirations and mutual interests of both sides.

 


Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government

Updated 16 January 2026
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Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber announced that the Kingdom, under the directives of its leadership, has provided new support to the Yemeni government's budget, aimed at paying the salaries of state employees in all sectors.

In a post on X, Al-Jaber stated that this support complements a package of development projects and initiatives, amounting to SR1.9 billion, announced on Wednesday. The package includes provision of necessary petroleum derivatives to operate power plants, which will contribute to improving the living standards of people in Yemen and alleviating daily burdens on them.

Al-Jaber’s post emphasized, in particular, that all salaries of military and security forces linked to the the higher military committee linked to the Saudi led Coalition will be paid as of Sunday. 

 

The post is likely relate to Several Media reports which have suggested that disgraced former Southern Transitional Council (STC) chief Aidaroos Al Zubaidi — who has now fled Yemen — was taking advantage of military personnel and withholding salaries as means of pressure. Al-Zubaidi is wanted by the Yemeni government for acts of high treason and corruption. 

The ambassador emphasized that these steps come within the framework of supporting the Yemeni government's efforts to implement the economic reform program, which aims to achieve financial and economic stability and enhance the state's ability to meet its basic obligations.