Saudi Arabia has endorsed Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan as a candidate for the post of assistant secretary-general from the Asian region at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Khan is Pakistan’s permanent representative to the OIC in Jeddah.
Speaking to Arab News following his endorsement, Khan said: “I’m honored that the Kingdom and the Pakistani government have selected me as their candidate for such a prestigious position at the OIC.” He said the OIC post would be vacant in July next year and that his term as ambassador would end soon.
He thanked Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal for endorsing a Pakistani candidate. The elections for the post of assistant secretary-general for the period 2014 to 2019 would be held at the 40th session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers in Conakry, Guinea, in the second week of December, he said.
Khan said Saudi Arabia’s endorsement letter was handed to Sartaj Aziz, advisor to Pakistan’s prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer had delivered the letter signed by Prince Saud. Several OIC countries have indicated they would support his bid.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Khan would “work constructively with the incoming secretary-general to advance science and technology objectives.”
Riyadh endorses Pak ambassador for OIC job
Riyadh endorses Pak ambassador for OIC job
Saudi meteorology center warns of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
- Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
- National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
Since the past few days, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain as full winter weather set in.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
