Middle East

Riyadh, Feb 17: Security forces in Saudi Arabia are undertaking “intense efforts” to identify terror cells, an official has said. Maj. Gen. Bassam Attia, director of the Investigations and Strategic Planning Center of the Interior Ministry, and ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, described in a press conference how security agencies immediately start investigating information received

Jeddah, Feb 16: Palestinians have expressed shock and anger over an apparent shift in US policy, after a White House official said peace with Israel did not necessarily have to entail a two-state solution. In its first reaction to the outcome of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, the Palestinian Authority reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant international

Washington, Feb 16: US President Donald Trump broke with his last three predecessors Wednesday by forgoing the US commitment to a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, he offered a regional approach to negotiating peace and achieving what he called a “great deal.” Trump, ahead of his first official meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, veered away in

Riyadh, Feb 15: Ties between the Kingdom and Turkey are set to scale new heights as their interests align on key regional issues following talks between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan here Tuesday. The summit at Al-Yamamah Palace also focused on bilateral subjects covering political, security and commercial fields. The talks ahead of the UN-sponsored Syria peace dialogue

Jeddah, Feb 14: Engaging more women in the workforce in Saudi Arabia is a key pillar in turning the recommendations of Vision 2030 into reality. Shahd Attar, a Saudi young professional who co-founded the “CellA Network,” utterly disagrees with the saying: “Women are their own worst enemy.” She told Arab News: “It makes me sad when I hear this (saying). In CellA (a network for professional women in

Riyadh, Feb 13: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has lent all support to the warring factions in Yemen if they are willing to reconcile and reach a political solution to the bloody conflict within the framework of the UN resolutions and GCC-brokered initiative. Guterres also strongly backed the efforts of UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, saying that the UN envoy enjoys full support from the

Jeddah, Feb 12: Seven terror suspects were arrested in a series of raids in Jeddah early on Saturday morning, authorities said. Security forces stormed three separate locations simultaneously in an operation that lasted around two hours. The raids took place in the Al-Harazat, Al-Mahameed and Bani Malik districts. Four people were arrested in Al-Harazat and Al-Mahameed after security forces

Riyadh, Feb 11: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, has been awarded a CIA honor in recognition of his efforts to fight terrorism. The crown prince was awarded the “George Tenet” medal by CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who arrived to Riyadh late Friday. It was granted in recognition of distinguished intelligence work in the fight against terrorism and the

Jeddah, Feb 10: United State’s top diplomat acknowledged on Thursday the role of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in helping to stabilize the region, according to the Saudi Press Agency. In a phone conversation with King Salman, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hailed the leadership role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving stability and peace in the region and the world, SPA reported

Dubai, Feb 9: A drop in oil prices pulled stocks in Saudi Arabia down on Wednesday. The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) dropped 1 percent. All 14 listed petrochemical producers declined with Nama Chemicals, the worst performer in that sector, retreating 5.3 percent and Saudi Kayan losing 2.4 percent. Banking shares were also weak with heavyweight Samba Financial Group dropping 3.2 percent. Qatar’s