Ambassador of Belgium Geert Criel:
— Which particular aspect of Saudi Arabia you like the most?
The friendliness of its people.
— What is your favorite and oft-repeated Arabic word?
Ahlan wa Sahlan.
— Which book is by your bedside these days?
World Order. By Henry Kissinger.
— What is your favorite holiday destination?
Tuscany. But I enjoy discovering new places.
— Your dream country where you would like to be posted after Saudi Arabia?
Australia.
— Which country’s people have you found to be the most friendly?
I have met wonderful people everywhere, but certainly very many in Saudi Arabia.
— How do you react to or deal with anger?
Take a deep breath and think before reacting.
— What is your source of strength during tough times?
My family.
— What was your first impression about the Kingdom?
Having arrived in August, the hot climate.
— Which Saudi city fascinated you the most?
Abha.
— Your favorite Saudi dish?
Kabsa.
— The thing about Saudi Arabia that you will always remember?
The incredible beauty of the Saudi desert at sunset.
— If you were given only one option between Facebook and Twitter, what would that be?
Twitter.
— If you had not become a diplomat, what would you be?
An academic. I’ve always liked to research and teach.
— Is hiding the truth acceptable in diplomacy?
It is not. Diplomacy is the art of presenting and defending your country’s positions in a truthful way, while maintaining a constructive dialogue with your partners.
— How do you keep yourself fit?
By biking and playing squash.
— Your favorite restaurant?
Najd Village.
— Your favorite football club?
Anderlecht in Belgium.
— Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Meryl Streep and Matthias Schoenaerts.
'Beauty of Saudi desert at sunset unforgettable'
'Beauty of Saudi desert at sunset unforgettable'
Saudi foreign ministry condemns demolition of UNRWA buildings in Jerusalem by Israel
- Israeli bulldozers demolished structures inside Sheikh Jarrah compound on Tuesday
- Kingdom expresses support for beleaguered UN agency in statement
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the demolition of buildings belonging to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees by Israeli occupation forces in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem.
The ministry rejected Israeli violations of international law and held the international community responsible for addressing the Israeli policy of “crimes against international relief organizations,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It added: “Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the brotherly Palestinian people, and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers and their facilities.”
On Tuesday, Israeli bulldozers demolished structures inside UNRWA’s compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem after storming the area and sealing off the surrounding streets, according to Wafa news agency.
