Middle East

Saudi Arabia hopes to have ‘excellent relations’ with Biden administration: Foreign minister

Editorial Bureau January 23, 2021

LONDON/DUBAI (UK/UAE) – The foreign minister of Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that the kingdom was hopeful that it would enjoy “excellent relations” with the new US administration of President Joe Biden, adding that talks would continue with Washington regarding the Iran

Business

Saudi cut likely to strengthen oil market de-stocking

Editorial Bureau January 10, 2021

LONDON (UK) – Saudi Arabia’s voluntary oil production cut is expected to bring the oil market into deficit for most of 2021 even as new lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus batter oil demand, analysts say. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, surprised the market on Jan. 5 with a voluntary output […]

Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s G20 summit ambitions affected by COVID deals

Editorial Bureau November 20, 2020

RIYADH/BEIRUT (SAUDI ARABIA) – When Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter and a leading US ally, took over the G20 presidency in December 2019, hopes in the kingdom were high. A global summit would help rehabilitate the country on the international stage and turn the world’s attentions to key reforms launched by de facto […]

Middle East

Saudi to support Israel-Palestinian peace initiatives

Editorial Bureau September 9, 2020

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) – A Saudi Arabian foreign minister said on Twitter on Wednesday that the kingdom supports all initiatives to find a comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the establishment of a Palestinian state based on borders before the 1967 war.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Tweets Eid greetings after leaving hospital

Editorial Bureau July 31, 2020

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) – The kingdom’s ruler King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 84, posted his Eid al-Adha greetings on Twitter on Friday, shortly after leaving hospital. The custodian of Islam’s holiest sites left King Faisal hospital on Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder earlier in the week, according to the state news agency SPA. […]

Middle East

Saudi ruler Salman bin Abdulaziz admitted to hospital: SPA

Editorial Bureau July 20, 2020

RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) – Ruler of Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 84, has been hospitalised in Riyadh. He is suffering from an inflammation of the gall bladder, state news agency SPA said on Monday. The agency said the ruler of the world’s largest oil exporter, which is a close ally of the US, has […]

UK

Britain complies with Saudi Arabia arms order

Editorial Bureau July 7, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain has adhered to a court order over its decisions on giving export licences to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, according to its trade minister on Tuesday. It meant that it can once again issue new licences to export arms to the kingdom. The Court of Appeal last year declared officially that […]

Middle East

Saudi Arabia goes ahead with goal of doubling size of capital Riyadh despite downturn

Editorial Bureau July 7, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Despite an economic downturn because of the pandemic crisis and low oil prices, Saudi Arabia is forging ahead with its plan to double the size of its capital, said a government official. President of Riyadh’s royal commission Fahd Al-Rasheed said the government has already pledged funds to the tune of $266.6 billion […]

Middle East

Saudi Arabia to restrict domestic haj pilgrims amid coronavirus fears

Ren Leen June 23, 2020

RIYADH (Middle East) – Saudi Arabia is to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times. Haj minister Mohammed Benten told a news briefing on Tuesday that strict health criteria […]

Middle East

Saudi puts pressure on ex- intelligence official’s family, seeks access to documents

Ren Leen June 23, 2020

LONDON (Middle East) – As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman went on to tighten his grip on power by detaining senior members of the royal family and opponents, a former top-ranking intelligence official who was close to a key rival to the throne eluded him. Over the recent months, the crown prince has put […]