Saudi-led operation in Yemen ‘not seeking a war’

April 7, 2015

Riyadh, Apr 7: The Council of Ministers on Monday said that the Saudi-led operation in Yemen has the support of Yemenis in the Kingdom and the international community because it seeks to restore the legitimate government and bring peace and stability to that war-torn nation.

The weekly meeting was chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

Coalition war

It noted the heroic efforts of the coalition forces in neutralizing the military capacity of the Houthi militants, said Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Toraifi.

Saudi Arabia appreciates the support of the Yemeni community for Operation Decisive Storm.

The ministers said the coalition does not seek a war but wants to protect the Yemeni people.

This is why the operation has been hailed by Arab and Islamic nations, and the wide international community, said Al-Toraifi.

The Cabinet also expressed hope that the nuclear framework agreement struck with Iran in Lausanne, Switzerland, recently would ensure the safety and security of the region.

It said the Kingdom and the Arab League support nations wanting to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with the standards and procedures of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The aim would be to create a region free of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, said Al-Toraifi.

The Cabinet stressed that the security in the region requires a commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

The ministers also welcomed the announcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it formally accepted the State of Palestine as a full member.

They believe that Palestine’s accession to the ICC would help restore the rights of the Palestinians.

According to Al-Toraifi, the Council of Ministers again called on the international community to end the “Syrian tragedy which has become a humanitarian catastrophe.”

The meeting was inaugurated by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait, who said the Kingdom has spared no effort in providing assistance to Syrian refugees. He said Saudi aid to the Syrian people since 2011 has exceeded $600 million.

The Council of Ministers welcomed the announcement by Moody’s credit rating agency to rank the Kingdom at a high Aa3, and the Fitch credit rating of AA, which both foresee a stable future for the Kingdom.

This was a result of the Kingdom’s economic policies, which has enabled it to counter global financial crises, the Cabinet said.

The Cabinet also condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the University of Garissa, in Kenya, and expressed its condolences to the government and people of Kenya, and the families of the victims.

King Salman briefed the Cabinet on the results of his talks with various leaders who visited Saudi Arabia recently, including the Senegal president, and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The king also received various calls, including from the US president, and leaders of Sudan, India, Afghanistan and Britain.

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Agencies
March 1,2020

Paris, Mar 1: Most of the riders and teams taking part in the abandoned UAE Tour, and who had been quarantined in their Abu Dhabi hotels since Thursday after a coronavirus scare, were cleared to leave the country, sources said.

"The pleasure of going home after several days spent at the hotel," tweeted 2018 world champion Alejandro Valverde, one of the top stars of the race along with Chris Froome, the four-time winner of the Tour de France.

"We are doing well and soon we will fly to Spain."

However, there was confusion over how many competitors and officials will be allowed to leave.

All 133 cyclists who were still in contention as well as team members were tested after it was announced by organisers Thursday that two Italian staff members on the race had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Earlier Saturday, the UAE Tour, quoting health officials, said that 167 people had been tested and all were negative.

The Department of Health-Abu Dhabi were "still monitoring the condition of the remaining cases of contacts, whose lab testing findings will be available in the next few hours."

The UAE Tour cancelled its last two stages on Thursday after the coronavirus cases were confirmed.

Danish cyclist Michael Morkov of the Deceuninck-Quick-Step team, who took part in the first four stages, was placed in isolation in his hotel room after arriving in Berlin to take part in the world track championships.

However, on Saturday, he too was cleared to take part.

"The rider present in Berlin is currently in excellent health, with no suspicious clinical signs, and we are also guaranteed that he has not contacted the two members of the management of a team participating in the UAE Tour, originally suspected of coronavirus," governing body UCI said in a statement.

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Agencies
February 16,2020

Al-Jawf, Feb 16: At least 31 people were killed and 12 others were injured here in the al-Maslub district in airstrikes by the Saudi-UAE-led military coalition on Saturday.

"Preliminary field reports indicate that as many as 31 civilians were killed and 12 others injured in strikes that hit al-Hayjah area of the al-Maslub district in al-Jawf governorate," said a statement from the office of the UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen.

According to Al Jazeera, the airstrike was conducted hours after the Yemeni Houthis said that they downed a Saudi fighter jet in the same region.

Commenting on the air raids, Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said: "We share our deep condolences with the families of those killed and we pray for the speedy recovery of everyone who has been injured in these terrible strikes."

"So many people are being killed in Yemen - it's a tragedy and it's unjustified. Under international humanitarian law, parties that resort to force is obligated to protect civilians," Grande was quoted as saying.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 24,2020

Abu Dhabi: A senior Hindi teacher at Sunrise School in Abu Dhabi has died of coronavirus, it has been confirmed. Anil Kumar, 50, passed away on Sunday morning, May 24.

The sad and shocking demise of Mr Kumar, a senior Hindi teacher of Sunrise School on May 24, has left the entire Sunrise family in a pall of gloom, read a statement.

“The management, administrators, other faculty members, students and the school as a whole is struck with intense sorrow and is speechless.

“The bond that he had developed over the years, just as how we have with each faculty, makes the loss unbearable. The entire SEPS family is shaken and finds it hard to come to terms with this most saddening news.

“Anil Kumar was a very inspiring teacher. He always brought a creative aspect to the classes he handled and would make it an enjoyable class to attend to. Mr. Anil Kumar had a great way of motivating his students to do their best, and pushed them to be the best they could be. He was a great strength and support to the Department of Hindi, always willing to scaffold and mentor students and teachers. He was a very approachable man, warm and friendly at heart and that is something I will truly miss about Mr. Anil.

“Mr Anil Kumar has left behind his wife and two children. Mrs. Rajini, his wife is also a member of the school family. She is a faculty of the maths department. Our prayers and sincere condolences to each and every one of the family. May God give the strength to endure and face this most challenging phase of their life.”

It is learnt Mr Kumar fell ill with COVID-19 and had been in hospital since May 7.

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