JEDDAH: Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, the newly appointed editor in chief of Arab News, said yesterday that the English daily would focus on developing its content and taking the voice of Saudis and other Arabs to the outside world.
“Arab News’ long history and its huge asset of experience and reputation will certainly enable the paper to play a pivotal role in the Arab media,” said Al-Harthi, who took charge as new editor in chief of the paper yesterday.
Al-Harthi, who holds a master’s degree in international journalism from UK’s City University and has over 20 years' experience in the media, said Arab News would also focus on encouraging and exchanging thoughts through the new media.
Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Research and Marketing Group, announced Al-Harthi’s appointment on Friday as part of SRMG’s new vision to achieve its strategic goals. The prince said Al-Harthi would continue in his present position as editor in chief of Sayidaty women’s magazine in Arabic and English.
Al-Harthi thanked Prince Faisal, and members of SRMG boards of directors and trustees for vesting their confidence in him through this appointment. He also thanked Abdulwahab Al-Faiz, CEO of Nashr Company and former editor in chief of Arab News, for his contributions in strengthening the newspaper.
Al-Harthi, who has a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering, began his career at Asharq Al-Awsat international Arabic daily published from London before joining Arab News in 1992 as a correspondent.
He has also worked as a visiting journalist at The Financial Times in London. In 2002, he won a Gulf Excellence Award in Journalism. Two years later he was named editor in chief of Sayidaty and Al Jamila magazines. He also supervised the shifting of the two magazines to Dubai Media Center.
Al-Harthi has played a leading role in the efforts to bring out a number of specialized issues of Sayidaty such as Sayidaty Décor, Sayidaty and Your Children, and Sayidaty for Education. He also supervised the establishment of Sayidaty magazine in English.
A founding member of the Arab Youth Leaders Forum at Davos Middle East conference, Al-Harthi was also a member of Gulf 2000 project at Columbia University in New York. He holds memberships of the Journalists Union in the UK and WAN-IFRA, a world association of journalists and news publishers.
Al-Harthi: Arab News to take voice of Arabs to the world
Al-Harthi: Arab News to take voice of Arabs to the world
Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat
MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.
They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.
The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.
The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.
In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives.
He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.
He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress.
Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments.
The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.
