Saudi Arabia calls for UN Security Council resolution to compel Israel to end war, ‘starvation’ of Gazans
Saudi Arabia calls for UN Security Council resolution to compel Israel to end war, ‘starvation’ of Gazans/node/2551696/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia calls for UN Security Council resolution to compel Israel to end war, ‘starvation’ of Gazans
Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil said Tel Aviv must comply with the UN Security Council’s own resolutions, which call for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of aid into Gaza. (AFP file photo)
Saudi Arabia calls for UN Security Council resolution to compel Israel to end war, ‘starvation’ of Gazans
Tel Aviv must end its ‘aggression’ and allow for urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza
UN failure to stop Israel driven by ‘short-sighted, selfish political interests,’ says Saudi envoy Abdulaziz Alwasil
Updated 18 July 2024
Arab News
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, on Wednesday called on the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution that would compel Israel to end its war on Gaza.
Alwasil said Tel Aviv must comply with the Security Council’s own resolutions, which call for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of aid into Gaza.
He said Israel, as the occupying power, must be forced to respect international law. This includes implementing the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures to end the genocide being perpetrated on the Palestinian people.
Alwasil said the UN Security Council, since the beginning of the assault on Gaza 10 months ago, has been holding “meeting after meeting to no avail.”
Meanwhile, the world continues to witness the Israeli “war machine deliberately targeting civilians and imposing the harshest forms of collective punishment by killing, displacing, starving and imposing a blockade on civilians.”
Alwasil added: “All of these blatant violations are happening before the eyes of the world and the international community continues to turn a blind eye.
“And this inaction pushed the occupation power, which is hiding behind a solid wall, to take advantage of this weakness and international silence to impose its inhumane, violent practices unabated.”
The Saudi Arabia envoy was speaking at a signature UN Security Council meeting called by Russia, which is holding the rotating presidency of the body for the month of July. It was chaired by Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Alwasil lamented the failure of the Security Council to stop the war, which he blamed on members of the body being bound by “short-sighted, selfish political interests that have impeded its ability to take the necessary firm actions to stop the Israeli aggression.”
“The failure by the international community and the Security Council to protect the innocent civilians has led so far to the killing of 38,000 people and the injury and maiming of tens of thousands, most of whom are women and children,” said Alwasil.
He added: “How can such a forced displacement that is recurrent in Gaza be justified? How can we stay silent in the face of this systematic starvation and deliberative blockade? How can the international community stand idly while a major humanitarian catastrophe is taking place before our eyes?”
Alwasil vowed that his country would continue to support the Palestinian right to self-determination and the establishment of a state on the lines of 1967 with East Jerusalem as the capital.
This would “ensure comprehensive justice (and) peace in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.”
There is a lot to gain from EU-GCC cooperation, European Council President Charles Michel tells Arab News
Ahead of EU-GCC summit in Brussels, European Council head outlines the potential benefits of deepening ties
During Riyadh visit, Charles Michel highlights scope for Vision 2030 investments and foreign policy cooperation
Updated 24 min 5 sec ago
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: The forthcoming joint summit of the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council will deepen bilateral political engagement, enhance trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation on pressing foreign policy issues, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, has said.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Michel discussed the upcoming EU-GCC summit, taking place on Oct. 16 in Brussels, where leaders of the two blocs are expected to discuss a broad range of issues, from the crisis in the Middle East to Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“I am very optimistic that this summit can be an important political moment because, together with the Gulf countries in the EU leaders, we want to upgrade our relationship to a more strategic level,” said Michel.
“We want this relationship to be sustainable, to be a long term, a long term relationship.”
Michel arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed relations and ways of enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and the EU.
Charles Michel meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday on arrival in the Saudi capital. (SPA)
He was also scheduled to meet with Jasem Al-Budaiwi, the secretary general of the GCC. At the top of the agenda was the upcoming EU-GCC summit.
“We are working to prepare for the summit that will take place in Brussels in October between the GCC — the Gulf countries — and the EU,” said Michel. “This will be a historic moment and we would like the summit to be a successful one.
“That’s why it was important for me to meet with the crown prince to hear directly from him what the expectations in Saudi Arabia are for the summit so that we can prepare very well. My main goal is to make this summit an effective meeting.”
Michel underlined the potential outcomes of the summit, including the furthering of political cooperation on various issues between the GCC and the EU.
“First, political engagement — political at the highest level,” he said. “And this common opinion we have, the GCC and the EU, that there is a lot to gain if we work more closely together from a political point of view.”
Michel also underlined that the EU-GCC joint summit will “send a signal to the EU, into the private sector, that there’s a vast potential for more economic cooperation” with the Kingdom thanks to the opportunities presented by Saudi Vision 2030.
Bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU have been rapidly evolving in many areas.
“In recent years, we have worked a lot to strengthen the ties to improve relationships in various fields, for instance, climate change, energy, all those topics are very important for all of us in the future,” said Michel.
There is, however, scope to develop ties further between Saudi Arabia and the EU in fields such as trade, investment, and hydrogen power. “In all those sectors there is a lot that we can do together,” he added.
Michel with undersecretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdulmajeed bin Rashid Al-Samari and head of Saudi Arabia’s mission to the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community Haifa Al-Jedea. (SPA)
Describing the “vast potential” for economic cooperation that could result from the EU-GCC summit, Michel said the EU is ready to contribute to the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform and economic diversification agenda.
“We are ready to be a loyal partner, to support those efforts in line with this 2030 vision for the transformation of the country, and with this purpose to diversify the economy of the country,” he said.
However, opportunities for cooperation extend far beyond trade and investment into common security and foreign policy areas.
“In terms of geopolitical challenges, we need to cooperate,” said Michel. “We need to coordinate. The war in Gaza, the situation in the Middle East, the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
“We think that more cooperation between the EU and Gulf countries could play a useful role in the future.”
Both Saudi Arabia and the EU have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the 10-month conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has created a major humanitarian emergency. Michel outlined the EU’s stance on the conflict.
“First, it is extremely urgent, we need to get a ceasefire and the release of hostages,” he said. “And we support all the efforts of those who are working very hard to make it happen and to make it possible.
“For instance, I had a conversation two weeks ago with (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu. We passed on a very clear message that we want a ceasefire, we want the release of hostages, we want the de-escalation.
“We want the two-state solution … the EU is a strong supporter of the two-state solution. You know that some EU member states recently, a few months ago, decided to recognize Palestine and we want to work with all our partners.”
Michel said “peace would be, and will be, the best security guarantee.”
Asked what steps are required to bring about the two-state solution, Michel said: “I think it is important to encourage the Palestinian people, to organize themselves with legitimate authorities, probably reforms also are needed.
“And we need to support all those invested in the community who are working to make those reforms possible.”
Michel speaking to Arab News reporter Lama Alhamawi, right, in Riyadh. (AN Photo)
Michel called the crisis in Gaza “a humanitarian catastrophe,” adding that it is “extremely important, in the short term, to provide humanitarian assistance to the people in need.”
“That’s why the EU, together with the member states, have decided to mobilize a lot of support, a lot of money and a lot of support to provide this aid and this assistance to the people in Gaza and in the West Bank.”
In relation to the escalating tit-for-tat between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, Michel said the normalization of diplomatic relationships across the region was more urgent than ever.
“This is important to encourage more stability and to encourage a country like Iran not to play games that have an impact in terms of instability in the region using proxies,” he said.
“We are on the side of the people of Lebanon because they are the first victims of all those difficulties in the country.”
He added: “Despite the differences we have, Iran and the EU, we have decided to engage with Iran, to engage with the new president of Iran, to discuss our differences, and to see how we can try to make some progress, including regarding the nuclear challenge.”
Asked about Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, Michel lauded the power of sport to bring disparate cultures together.
“We know that the Olympics or football — sport in general — is a way to bring people together and people with different languages, culture,” he said. “We are all together when we participate in sporting events.”
Saudi Environment Ministry launches aquaponics investment opportunity in Jubail
The ministry aims to produce fish and plants in a total area of 40,000 sq. meters in Jubail Governorate
The project will boost local biodiversity, enhance self-sufficiency and ensure food securit
Updated 29 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has offered a new opportunity for investors to establish a fish farm using aquaponics technology through the Furas Platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Through the project, the ministry aims to produce fish and plants in a total area of 40,000 sq. meters in Jubail Governorate.
It will boost local biodiversity, enhance self-sufficiency and ensure food security.
“Aquaponics integrates plant and fish cultivation, utilizing fish waste to nourish plants and plant nutrients to feed fish,” the SPA said.
“This sustainable method enhances water quality in aquaculture. It combines aquatic life and plant growth without soil, promoting eco-friendly food production using natural fish fertilizers to boost plant growth and productivity.
“This approach improves crop quality, productivity, and environmental conservation by avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers.”
The bidding deadline for the venture is Nov. 27. Interested parties can explore the terms, specifications and necessary documents on the Furas Platform. For further information, email [email protected].
Saudi Al-Balsam organization performs 43 neurosurgery procedures in Yemen
Fourth mission following cooperation agreement with KSrelief
Updated 29 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Al-Balsam Association for Training and Health Development has carried out 43 neurosurgery procedures in Yemen, with the support and sponsorship of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief.
“This voluntary medical program, held from Aug. 17 to 23, offered free treatment to patients,” a statement by the association said on Thursday.
The Al-Balsam team, consisting of about 25 health professionals including top spinal surgery and neurosurgery specialists, nurses, and technicians, conducted the procedures at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Aden.
The team examined a total of 127 patients and provided them with essential healthcare, in collaboration with local Yemeni doctors.
The voluntary neurosurgery program in Yemen is part of a series of humanitarian medical initiatives led by KSrelief and aimed at providing treatment to individuals and families with limited financial resources across several countries.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ahmari, executive director of the Al-Balsam Association, said that the medical team provided surgeries related to brain, neurological, and spinal issues to patients with severe conditions which required prompt and effective intervention.
Al-Ahmari said that the Al-Balsam medical convoy had set key goals, including saving lives through essential procedures while enhancing the skills of local medical professionals.
This involved providing training and qualifications to the Yemeni medical staff in neurosurgery.
The visit of the Al-Balsam team to Yemen marked its fourth medical mission following its cooperation agreement with KSrelief.
The association worked in Kyrgyzstan in November 2023, Chad in January 2024, and completed a mission to Yemen in May this year.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia issued various royal decrees on Thursday based on the recommendations of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. They are as follows:
1. Commander of the Joint Forces Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima will retire from military service. He has been appointed as an advisor at the Royal Court
2. Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Ghufaili has been relieved of his post and appointed as Deputy Chief of the General Staff with the rank of lieutenant general
3. Chief of Staff of the Land Forces Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Mutair will be relieved of his post and is appointed as an advisor at the Office of the Minister of Defense with the rank of lieutenant general
4. Major General Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and is appointed as Commander of the Joint Forces
5. Major General Fahd bin Saud bin Dhuwaihir Al-Juhni will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and is appointed as Chief of Staff of the Land Forces
6. Major General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Hamed Al-Gharibi is to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed as Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces
7. Advisor at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet Samir bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Tabib is relieved of his post and appointed as Advisor at the Ministry of Defense
Moderate to heavy rain forecast for Makkah, Madinah
A red alert has been issued for the Madinah region, while light to moderate rain could fall in part of Hail and Tabuk
Updated 29 August 2024
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Moderate to heavy rains, along with strong winds and thunderstorms, have been forecast for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and part of the western and southern regions.
The National Center of Meteorology forecast on Thursday warned: “Gusty winds will blow and moderate to heavy rain and hail may fall in parts of Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah.”
A red alert has been issued for the Madinah region, while light to moderate rain could fall in part of Hail and Tabuk. There will be dust-stirring winds in parts of Riyadh, the Eastern Region and Najran.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has also issued safety instructions alongside warnings of inclement weather as the regions brace themselves heavy rainfall.
People in Makkah, Madinah, Najran, Jizan and all areas where the NCM has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall are urged to take appropriate precautions, remain indoors during stormy weather, and adhere to safety instructions.
“The Civil Defense calls for caution and following instructions due to the weather conditions witnessed in these regions,” wrote the General Directorate on X.
According to the forecast, there will be north westerly to westerly winds of 18-40 kph over the northern part of the Red Sea, and south westerly to north westerly winds reaching 15-60 kph across the central and southern parts.
In the Arabian Gulf, winds will blow northerly to north westerly at speeds of 20-40 kph in the northern and central parts, and westerly to south westerly at speeds of 10-20 kph in the southern part.
