KSA rejects foreign interference in Iraq

June 17, 2014

Interference in IraqJeddah, Jun 17: Saudi Arabia rejected Monday the idea of any foreign interference in Iraq and blamed Baghdad’s “sectarian and exclusionary” policies for the worsening security situation in the country.

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have seized several Iraqi cities, threatening to split the country down sectarian lines, a deeply worrying prospect for the region and beyond.

The crisis “would not have happened if it wasn’t for the sectarian and exclusionary policies that were practiced in Iraq in past years and which threatened its security, stability and sovereignty,” the Council of Ministers said.

The Cabinet, chaired by Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Salman, said it was necessary to “preserve Iraq’s sovereignty” and rejected any outside interference in Baghdad’s internal affairs. It also urged the “quick formation of a national consensus government.”

Militants, spearheaded by ISIL and joined by supporters of former President Saddam Hussein, have in the past week overrun a large chunk of northern and north-central Iraq, although their advance has since been slowed.

Saudi analyst Abdel Aziz Al-Sagr said Riyadh was concerned its US ally might give Tehran its tacit blessing for intervention in Iraq. “We need regional coordination over Iraq, not a US-Iranian dialogue,” said Al-Sagr.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Attiyah said the trigger for the unrest was the marginalization of Iraq’s Sunni Arabs. He cited as examples the crackdown by security forces on peaceful protests by the minority community in April 2013 and January this year. “This has deepened the divide between the components of the brotherly Iraqi people,” Al-Attiyah said in comments reported by the official Qatari news agency late on Sunday.

“Nouri Al-Maliki is worse, and more dangerous, than ISIL and Al-Qaeda,” said columnist Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed. “He is a bad person who is ready to commit massacres to stay in power.”

Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet also emphasized the importance of protecting and alleviating the suffering of civilians.

The Cabinet welcomed the final statement of the International Summit to Combat Violence in Conflict Zones held in London. It reiterated the Kingdom’s appeal to the international community to take measures, including passing legislation, to uphold the rights of women, and protect civilians in conflict zones. Such actions should be treated as crimes against humanity and perpetrators punished, the Cabinet said.

The Cabinet called for concerted international efforts to counter terrorism, which it described as the most serious challenge facing the world.

It stressed that the establishment of the rule of law, development, education, and dialogue were the most effective ways to eradicate the root of the problem, Khoja said.

The council reviewed the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, including its discussions on the state of the international oil market and decisions to maintain the current production ceiling until the end of the year.

Spelling out other Cabinet decisions, Khoja said it exempted the Makkah Trains Company from having to issue tenders for the work in the city. Competition would be limited to the companies that were initially invited and qualified. The contracts would be based on those adopted by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, it said.

The Makkah Trains Company would manage the implementation of the project and submit its annual budget to the supervisory committee. The executive committee would oversee the budget.

The Cabinet authorized the head of the Youth Welfare Presidency to discuss with Korea a draft memorandum of understanding for sports cooperation. It also inducted four new members onto the board of directors of the Saudi Exports Development Authority (SEDA) for three years.

The Cabinet approved another bill to regulate the activities of female beauty parlors. Those running the parlors should obtain licenses from the municipality, which would be issued with the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and Civil Defense.

The activities would be limited to activities related to the beauty industry. There would be strict control in terms of Islamic law. Females applying for licenses should be Saudi, and not younger than 25, except for those who have obtained a diploma in the field from a technical college. The licensed woman should commit to manage the shop by herself or appoint a full-time Saudi manager.

The Cabinet appointed Mohammad bin Saleh Almonas director general of the Department of Technical Affairs; Salman bin Abdulaziz Shuwaiheen director general of the department of expatriates at the Ministry of Interior; and Ali bin Abdullah Alhamda sector chief at the Ministry of Finance.

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Saudi Gazette
June 2,2020

Abu Dhabi, Jun 2: The United Arab Emirates on Monday recorded 635 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infections in the country to 35,192, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM.

The new cases were detected after the health authorities conducted 30,147 additional COVID-19 tests citizens and residents.

The ministry also announced that 406 more patients have fully recovered after receiving the necessary medical care, raising the total number of recoveries in the country to 18,338.

The announcement was made during the regular media briefing held in Abu Dhabi, wherein Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson for the UAE government, provided an update on coronavirus-related developments and measures taken to mitigate its impact.

During the briefing, Dr. Al Shamsi also announced the death of two patients from COVID-19, taking the total number of deaths in the country to 266.

"The number of COVID-19 cases still receiving treatment now stands at 16,588 from different nationalities," she added, noting that more than 650,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted over the past two weeks.

"Since the onset of the crisis, the UAE has focused on select segments of society, primarily the elderly and patients with chronic diseases, in order to ensure they survive the crisis," she added.

"We believe it is particularly morally important to support and stand by them, provide them with their daily needs, and keep them from harm’s way," she added.

Dr. Al Shamsi asserted that all precautionary measures announced, including the updated fines and penalties, will be enforced against violators, including citizens and residents.

"The law does not differentiate between citizens and residents. We are living in one homeland, which is for all of us," she continued.

"Your safety and health are a priority. We must comply with all precautionary measures. Though restrictions have been relaxed, caution must continue to be exercised."

Dr. Al Shamsi also warned, "Recklessness may undermine the efforts made by our frontline defenders. It is the responsibility of every individual to support protective efforts to ensure the safety of all."

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News Network
April 20,2020

Sharjah, Apr 20: Air Arabia announced on Monday it will operate new repatriation flights from four cities in India to Sharjah carrying UAE nationals back home.

The special flights will operate from Mumbai and Delhi to Sharjah International Airport on April 20 while special flights will operate from Kochi and Hyderabad to Sharjah International Airport on April 22.

Air Arabia remains committed to bring stranded citizens back home as well as supporting requests to operate repatriation flights and is working closely with UAE authorities in this regard, the airline said.

Air Arabia announced earlier that it’s operating a mix of repatriation flights as well as cargo flights during the month of April to multiple destinations.

Further information about the repatriation and cargo flights is available on the website or can be obtained by contacting the Air Arabia call centre on 06 5580000 or respective travel agent.

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News Network
April 2,2020

Dubai, Apr 2: A senior Saudi official urged more than 1 million Muslims intending to perform the hajj to delay making plans this year in comments suggesting the pilgrimage could be cancelled due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

In February, the kingdom took the extraordinary decision to close off the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to foreigners over the virus, a step which wasn’t taken even during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide.

Restrictions have tightened in the kingdom as it grapples with over 1,500 confirmed cases of the new virus. The kingdom has reported 10 deaths so far. The Middle East has more than 71,000 confirmed cases of the virus, most of those in Iran, and over 3,300 deaths.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is prepared to secure the safety of all Muslims and nationals,” Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten told state television. “That’s why we have requested from all Muslims around the world to hold onto signing any agreements (with tour operators) until we have a clear vision.”

Saudi Arabia has barred people from entering or exiting three major cities, including Mecca and Medina, and imposed a nighttime curfew across the country. Like other countries around the world and in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has suspended all inbound and outbound commercial flights.

Each year, up to 2 million Muslims perform the hajj, a physically demanding and often costly pilgrimage that draws the faithful from around the world. The hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lifetime, is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and bring about greater humility and unity among Muslims.

Standing in Mecca in front of the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray toward five times daily, Banten also said the kingdom was already providing care for 1,200 pilgrims stuck in the holy city due to global travel restrictions. A number of them are being quarantined in hotels in Mecca, he said.

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