Middle East

Jeddah, Jul 7: The SR 62 billion new Makkah public transport system, including a metro with four lines and 88 stations and a fast bus service network, will bring about dramatic improvement in transport of pilgrims and citizens in the city, said Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar. He said the first phase of the project, costing around SR 25.5 billion, would begin by the middle of next year. It will be

Cairo, Jul 6: Thirty people have been killed and over 300 injured across Egypt in clashes between opponents and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and in clashes between pro-Morsi protesters and security forces, according to Egyptian Health Ministry officials. In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the fierce clashes between rival protesters erupted after Friday prayers over this week

Cairo, Jul 4: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has sent a cable of congratulation to Chancellor Adli Mansour, President of Egypt. On Wednesday evening, Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi ousted President Muhammed Mursi and declared the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court caretaker leader. In his message to Mansour, King Abdullah appeal to God to help him "shoulder the

Jeddah, Jul 4: Saudis are now working in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries particularly Kuwait. In contrast, very few GCC citizens work in the Kingdom. In 2012, a total of 4,854 Saudis worked in GCC countries, 2,825 if them in Kuwait, according to a report from the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). The report said that 3,191 Saudis worked in the public sector in GCC

Cairo, Jul 4: Egypt's army was holding ousted President Mohamed Morsi at a military facility in Cairo on Thursday and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders were arrested in a crackdown on the movement that won several elections last year. The United Nations, the United States and other world powers did not condemn Morsi's removal as a military coup. To do so might trigger sanctions. Army intervention

Makkah, Jul 1: The General Presidency for the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah has started implementing a plan prepared for the blessed month of Ramadan by recruiting more than 8,000 workers to serve Umrah performers and worshippers at the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Khuzayyim, Vice President for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Alexandria, Jun 29: Two people, one an American, were killed when protesters stormed an office of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood in Alexandria, adding to growing tension ahead of mass rallies aimed at unseating Muhammad Mursi. A third man was killed and 10 injured in an explosion during a protest in Port Said, at the mouth of the Suez Canal. Police on Saturday said the cause was unclear but

Dubai, Jun 28: Passengers and crew on board an Emirates flight to Istanbul had a close shave after the aircraft almost collided with a two-seater UAE Air Force Hawk trainer jet at Dubai International Aiport recently. The trainer aircraft was flying low and fast, while the civil airliner was just into flight. No injuries were reported. Investigations into the ‘serious incident’ continues, but a

Makkah, Jun 28: The ongoing expansion of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba) will double the hourly capacity of the area from 48,000 pilgrims to 105,000 pilgrims after its completion in three years. The expansion project, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is expected to be completed in October 2015. It will accommodate more worshippers when the capacity

Doha, Jun 25: The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, said on Tuesday he was stepping down and handing power to his son Crown Prince Shaikh Tamim. In a speech broadcast on Qatar state television, Shaikh Hamad said it was time for a new generaiton to take over. He made no direct mention of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who had been