Category: General

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday signed a joint statement in the Chinese capital of Beijing, in presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, on the start of the procedures to reopening the embassies of the two countries and enhancing cooperation to achieve security and stability in the region.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday “In light of what was included by the tripartite joint statement by each of Iran, Saudi Arabia and China on March 10, 2023, on resumption of Saudi and Iranian relations and in the framework of coordination between the two countries on the necessary steps to resume the diplomatic and consulate work between them, the two sides held talks, during which they stressed the importance of following up and activating the implementation of the Beijing Agreement, in a way that enhances mutual trust and expands the scope of co-operation, and contributes to achieving security, stability and prosperity in the region.”

The two sides affirmed their keenness to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the security cooperation agreement between the two countries, signed in 2001, and the general agreement for co-operation in the field of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth, signed in1998.

The Ministry also pointed out that the two sides agreed to reopen their diplomatic representations during the agreed period, to proceed with taking the necessary measures to open the embassies of the two countries in Riyadh and Tehran, and their general consulates in Jeddah and Mashhad, and to continue co-ordination between the technical teams on both sides to discuss ways to enhance co-operation between the two countries, including the resumption of flights, mutual visits by official delegations and the private sector, and facilitating the granting of visas to citizens of the two countries, including Umrah visas.

The two sides expressed their aspiration to intensify consultative meetings and discuss ways of co-operation to achieve more positive prospects for relations, given the natural resources, economic potentials that the two countries possess, and great opportunities to achieve mutual benefit for the two brotherly peoples, according to the statement. They affirmed their readiness to do everything possible to overcome any obstacles facing the promotion of co-operation between them.

The two sides also agreed to enhance their co-operation in everything that would achieve security and stability in the region and serve the interests of its countries and peoples.

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on last March, under the sponsorship of China, to resume bilateral relations and reopen the embassies of the two countries during two months. The two countries stressed their firm intention to spare no efforts to enhance the regional and international peace and security.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammad Al-Sudani, chaired, on Wednesday evening, a meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security.

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahia Rasool, said in a statement that during the meeting, developments in the security situation in the country were discussed, and the efforts of the security services in pursuing the remnants of ISIS terrorist gangs, commensurate with its growing level.

The meeting witnessed, according to the statement, the progress achieved in implementing what was stipulated in the government program to redeploy military forces outside the cities and transfer security responsibility to the relevant concerned agencies in this regard, the report on the first phase in this axis, which was implemented in the governorates of Muthanna, Wasit and Diwaniyah, was evaluated. .

According to the statement, the mechanisms to be taken to initiate the second phase of transferring security responsibility in other governorates were discussed.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Madinah region and Chairman of Al Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA), has inaugurated the electric bus services, one of the modern models of eco-friendly modes of public transportation, which provides services to visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque and residents of the region.

The inauguration was held in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority (TGA), Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and the CEO of Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), Eng. Khalid Abdullah Al-Hogail.

Madinah region’s new electric bus is one of the TGA’s projects being implemented in partnership with MDA and the region’s municipality. It is an extension of the experiments that the TGA is working on to apply to activate modern technologies of eco-friendly modes of transportation.

The electric bus is distinguished by its high operational efficiency, which enables it to travel a distance of 250 kilometers on a single charge via a dedicated track, linking Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport with the Prophet’s Mosque frequently, with a total length of 38 kilometers. The new electric bus service is scheduled to provide more than 16 trips daily over 18 hours.

The electric bus features an advanced air conditioning system, display screens showing the trip’s details, and dedicated seats to serve people with special needs.

The new electric is planned to join the (Madinah Buses) fleet, which is supervised by MDA, to enhance the service of the residents and visitors of Madinah by operating the public transport bus system through 4 main routes, as the service network will link the north of the city with its south, as well as the east and west of the town, passing by the Prophet’s Mosque.

The launch of the electric bus comes within the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, which aims to adopt modern methods and technologies in transport activities and services and work to reduce carbon emissions by 25%.

The Strategy also seeks to raise the share of using public transportation in the Kingdom to 15% by 2030 and contribute to raising the quality of life in the central cities through eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Arab Lawyers Union condemned the repeated incursions of the Israeli occupation forces into al-Aqsa Mosque and the brutal attacks on the worshipers who are stationed there.

The Union denounced the international silence regarding the occupation’s crimes against the Palestinian people, Wafa News Agency said.

The Arab Lawyers Union also called upon the Arab and Islamic countries to take serious steps and firm measures against the occupation in response to its brutal and repeated assaults on worshipers in al-Aqsa Mosque, including women, according to the agency.

The Union hailed the sacrifices offered by the men and women stationed at the Mosque to defend it and their steadfastness in the face of the continuous incursions of the Israeli settlers and the Israeli occupation forces, affirming its firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people until the liberation of every inch of the Palestinian lands and its capital, Jerusalem.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The House of Representatives adjourned its session, which it held yesterday evening, Wednesday, as it completed the first reading of the draft federal budget law for the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal years (2023, 2024, 2025).

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi received at his residence, while on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Defence.

The minister conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, to the president and members of the council, as well as their wishes of security and stability for the Republic of Yemen and its people.

Al-Alimi and members of the council extended, in turn, greetings to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strong brotherly relations between the two countries and peoples, and reiterated the Kingdom’s continued support for Yemen.

They also discussed the latest developments in Yemen, and the efforts of the council to achieve security and stability in Yemen, and support all efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis and help Yemen and its people achieve peace and development.

The minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unremitting support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council in all fields, to serve the Yemeni people achieve their aspirations.

Attending the meeting were Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber and a number of officials from both sides.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The National Earthquake Center recorded 9 weak tremors over the past 24 hours.

The Center said in a statement that the stations of the National Seismic Monitoring Networks have reported nine tremors till 08:00 on Thursday morning, one of them northwest of Homs at a depth reaching 25 km, two tremors in the sea, northwest of Lattakia at a depth reaching 22 km, five in Liwa Iskenderun, and one in Turkey.

The quakes magnitude ranged between 1.6 and 3 on the Richter Scale and they have occurred at different depths, reaching up to 21 km.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Tender Board today held its 2nd meeting for 2023. It awarded projects and additional works to the tune of RO 25,600,733.

The awarded projects included:

1- Maintenance of asphalt roads in the Governorate of South Al Batinah for a period of five years, at a value of RO 8,157,955.

2- Maintenance of asphalt roads in the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah for a period of five years, at a value of RO 7,191,972.

3- Provision of technicians to operate and maintain devices and equipment for health units at Khoula Hospital, at a value of RO 810,828.

4- Provision of periodic maintenance services for x-ray machines in various health institutions, at a value of RO 652,356.

5- Project management of the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka (Japan) at a value of RO 635,774.

6- Replacing and updating Oman’s numerical prediction devices, at a value of RO 565,367.

7- Provision of technicians to operate and maintain devices and equipment for health units at Sohar Hospital, and health units affiliated to the Ministry of Health in the Governorate of North Al Batinah, at a value of RO 441,187.

8- Management and maintenance of facilities in Oman Botanic Garden project at a value of RO 322,858.

9- Provision of news services to the Ministry of Information at a value of RO 313,241.

10- Provision of support and consultancy services for the participation of the Sultanate of Oman in the G20 summit’s meetings in the Republic of India, at a value of RO 206,878.

11- Provision of periodic maintenance services for medical devices at the Royal Hospital, at a cost of RO 163,293.

12- Provision of maintenance services for medical devices at Khoula Hospital, at a cost of RO 145,402.

13- Additional works related to the practice of the project to rehabilitate the southern runway and air corridors at Muscat International Airport, at a value of RO 3,286,626.

14- Additional works for the project of connecting air communication devices and reconnaissance devices for the Omani airspace on the ground and through satellites, at a value of RO 1,332,000.

15- Complementary works related to consultancy services for the design and supervision of the Al Batinah Expressway Project (Part Three), at a value of RO 433,705.

16- Additional works related to the preventive maintenance and technical support for the National Data Center and the Disaster Precautionary Center, at a value of RO 397,248.

17- Additional works related to the tender for the annual maintenance of desert dirt roads in the the Governorate of Dhofar, at a value of RO 300,400.

18- Additional works related to a contract for renting cooling units for the Innovation Park Muscat, at a value of RO 105,778.

19- Additional works related to consultancy services for the feasibility study, preparation of designs and supervision of the implementation of groundwater recharge dams, at a cost of RO 96,838.

20- Improvement works related to the consultancy services to design the update for the documents of the rehabilitation project of (Sinaw – Mahout – Duqm) road, at a cost of RO 21,060.

21- Complementary works related to the provision of consultancy services to supervise a project to design and upgrade Seih Qatanna road in the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar in the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah, at a value of RO 19,965.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Sultanate of Oman has expressed strong denunciation and condemnation of the Israeli occupation forces’ storming Al Aqsa Mosque, attacking worshipers and arresting many of them.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today, Oman said that such Israeli practices constitute a flagrant violation of the International Law and human law—which provokes the feelings of Muslims around the world.

Oman urged the international community to assume its responsibilities in deterring Israel’s persistent, illegal and provocative practices that contradict international principles and go against norms of respect for religious sanctities.

Oman also called for enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights, notably by ending the occupation and establishing a fair and comprehensive peace.

Source: Oman News Agency

The judicial assistants at the Justice Palace of Saida announced a one-week work stoppage as of Monday, April 10, demanding better pay.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Thursday’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy with no significant change in coastal temperatures, which will rise in the inlands and the highlands, according to the Beirut airport-based meteorology department. Coastal temperatures: 14 to 21 degrees Celsius Mountainous temperatures: 8 to 15 degrees Celsius Inland temperatures: 8 to 24 degrees Celsius Surface wind: Southwesterly, with speeds gusting between 15 and 45 km/hr Visibility: Good along the coastline, worsens at high altitude due to fog Coastline humidity: 60 to 80% Sea: Medium waves, with surface water temperature at 18 degrees Celsius Sunrise: 6:21 Sunset: 19:01

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with Dr. Amer bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Director General of the Executive Bureau of the Labour and Social Affairs Ministers Council.

The secretary-general stressed the Bureau’s role in achieving joint Gulf cooperation in all labor and social affairs fields.

The meeting discussed the efforts to coordinate with GCC ministries to enhance joint Gulf action.

The meeting highlighted the Bureau’s role to serve citizens in the labor and social affairs fileds.

Source: Bahrain News Agency