https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:16:33 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-netanyahu-normalisation-with-saudi-not-linked-to-creation-of-palestinian-state/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:31:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658632 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that reaching a normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia is not conditional on creating a Palestinian state, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported Netanyahu saying that Israel and Saudi Arabia will deepen economic and business ties even if they don't formally recognise each other. Netanyahu said he is confident he can strike a deal with the Saudis under which the countries have official diplomatic relations. Without one, the two can still build an "economic corridor" running from the Arabian Peninsula to Europe that encompasses energy, transport and communications technology, he explained. At the same time, Netanyahu implied that the Saudis are note specially concerned about what the Palestinians get out of a potential deal. "I think the Palestinian thing is brought […]]]> 658632 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-football-star-mohamed-salah-isnt-heading-for-saudi/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:50:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658622 Liverpool football player Mohamed Salah will not be transferred to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad, according to the Egyptian player's agent Rami Abbas. "If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn't have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to LFC," Abbas wrote on Twitter yesterday after recent reports in the Saudi press that Al-Ittihad had offered the Egyptian international €180 million ($198 million) for two seasons, in addition to the £60 million ($77 million) that his club, Liverpool, would receive. The Egyptian football star has a contract with Liverpool that is valid until 2025; and is currently preparing for the start of the English Premier League season. Liverpool will not participate in the Champions League this season because it […]]]> 658622 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-us-ukraine-discuss-security-arrangements-saudi-arabia-peace-talks/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:28:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658347 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, over the phone, discussing recently held peace talks in Saudi Arabia, and "long-term security arrangements", reports Anadolu Agency. "The two discussed developments in Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts, recent conversations about a just and durable peace in Ukraine held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and long-term security arrangements between the two countries," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "The Secretary reiterated the United States' staunch and ongoing support of Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression and reaffirmed continued support of a strong Ukrainian military and accountable defense institutions," Miller added. Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the Ukraine conflict concluded Sunday with the participants […]]]> 658347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-saudi-signs-deal-to-localise-production-of-turkiye-drones/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:47:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658308 Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with key Turkish defence firm Baykar Tech to help the kingdom localise the manufacturing of drones, in the latest deal signifying the improved relations between Riyadh and Ankara. In a post on the platform X, formerly Twitter, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) yesterday announced "the signing of a strategic localisation agreement with Baykar Tech, to localise the manufacturing of the 'Bayraktar Akıncı' UAVs and their systems within the Kingdom." It added that the agreement, which was signed under the patronage of Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, "will enhance SAMI's role in supporting the national defence industry and strengthening our local capabilities." برعاية سمو #وزير_الدفاع؛ يسرنا أن نعلن عن […]]]> 658308 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-will-saudi-arabia-make-friday-a-working-day/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:45:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658192 In a thought-provoking op-ed published on Friday by Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Okaz, entitled "Friday is a working day," writer Mona Al-Otaibi questions whether the Kingdom's traditional Friday-Saturday weekend needs an overhaul, igniting a debate on social media. The piece highlighted the potential financial losses incurred due to Friday being an important workday in the financial world, and it has sparked discussions about whether Saudi Arabia should consider shifting its weekend to Saturday-Sunday, following in the footsteps of neighbouring UAE which made the controversial change last year, after plans were announced in 2021. At the time, the Emirati the government said it would "ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international […]]]> 658192 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-iraq-seeks-interpol-alerts-for-former-officials-over-2-5bln-graft/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:46:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658183 Iraq plans to ask Interpol to issue international alerts seeking the arrest of former senior officials including an ex-finance minister and an ex-intelligence chief over the alleged theft of more than $2.5 billion from the country's Tax Commission, Reuters reports. The scandal centres on suspected illegitimate cash withdrawals from the Commission between 2021 and 2022 totalling around $2.5 billion, according to Iraqi officials – a staggering amount even in a country that regularly ranks among the world's most corrupt. Iraq's top anti-corruption official, Integrity Commission chief Judge Haider Hanoun, announced the move to seek so-called Interpol Red Notices on Sunday. Hanoun said the judiciary would also ask for notices to be issued for the private secretary and a political adviser […]]]> 658183 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-saudi-arabia-sends-18th-aid-plane-for-earthquake-victims-in-turkiye-syria/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:43:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658157 Saudi Arabia sent an 18th humanitarian plane to support victims of the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes in southern Kahramanmaras province which affected several cities in Turkiye and Syria, according to media reports, Anadolu reports. The Saudi Arabian official news agency SPA said the plane carrying 32 tons of medical supplies and equipment, departed from the International King Khalid Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh for Gaziantep Airport. The plane was sent as part of the aid bridge established by Saudi Arabia for earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria. Saudi Arabia sent the last aid plane to Turkiye on June 17. READ: Saudi Arabia urges its citizens to quickly leave Lebanon]]> 658157 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-denmark-studying-legal-measures-to-prevent-quran-burning-egyptian-foreign-ministry/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:29:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658102 Denmark is studying several measures and legislation to prevent the recurrence of Quran burning incidents, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen affirmed this in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement. Rasmussen told Shoukry that the recent incidents involving the burning and desecration of the Quran in Denmark were "regrettable and contradicted Denmark's societal values," the statement added. Reiterating Egypt's strong condemnation of Quran burning, Shoukry said that such incidents provoke Muslims worldwide. READ: Iran-born Swedish woman burns Quran in Stockholm He also affirmed that these incidents violate human rights, threaten peaceful coexistence and fuel extremism. On Tuesday, despite wide-ranging condemnation, members […]]]> 658102 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-saudi-arabia-urges-its-citizens-to-quickly-leave-lebanon/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:20:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658098 Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to quickly leave Lebanese territory and to avoid approaching areas where there have been armed clashes, the Saudi embassy in Lebanon said in a statement posted late on Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Reuters reports. The kingdom did not specify which areas in Lebanon that it was advising its citizens to avoid. The embassy stressed "the importance of adhering to the Saudi travel ban to Lebanon," the statement added. READ: Hamas, Lebanon discuss stabilising Ain Al-Hilweh ceasefire  Kuwait also issued an advisory early on Saturday calling on Kuwaitis in Lebanon to stay vigilant and avoid "areas of security disturbances" but stopped short of asking them to leave the country, according to a statement […]]]> 658098 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-to-extend-oil-output-cuts-for-another-month/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:17:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657992 Saudi Arabia will extend a voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day for another month to include September, it said yesterday, adding it could be extended beyond that or deepened, Reuters reported. The kingdom's production for September will be around nine million barrels per day (bpd), the state news agency SPA cited an official source at the energy ministry as saying. "This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets," the source said. The cut may be "extended, or extended and deepened", he added, flagging the possibility of further market tightening. The decision came on the eve of a panel meeting from OPEC+, which […]]]> 657992 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-jails-egypt-psychiatrist-on-terror-charges-following-salary-dispute-hrw-reveals/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:19:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657968 Saudi Arabia jailed an Egyptian psychiatrist on charges of terrorism last year in an "unfair trial" due to a salary dispute that he won in the kingdom, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed. According to the rights group, 66-year-old Egyptian psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi – who was employed by the Saudi Ministry of Health between 2006 and 2019 – had won a court case against the kingdom's authorities to receive years of unpaid compensation that he was owed, after he discovered that he was paid far less than other colleagues. In January 2020, however, days before an appeals court decision in his civil case, plainclothes police officers – without a warrant – took him from his home in the north-west of the […]]]> 657968 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-palestinians-hope-saudis-will-hear-concerns-on-israel-deal-minister-says/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:34:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657893 The Palestinian Authority is hoping to engage with Saudi Arabia to discuss their concerns over a potential agreement normalising relations with Israel, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad Al-Maliki, said on Thursday, Reuters reports. US President Joe Biden said, last week, a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel "may be under way" following months of efforts by US officials to broker an agreement between the two long-standing adversaries. Officials from all three countries have said any agreement would be some way off, with complex issues remaining to be resolved, including the tense situation in the Occupied West Bank and a potential development of civilian nuclear power by Saudi Arabia. But the speculation has caused concern among Palestinians that any agreement would further weaken support for […]]]> 657893 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-saudi-arabia-and-kuwait-reaffirm-their-sovereignty-over-disputed-gas-field/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:54:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657874 Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have reaffirmed that they have joint sovereignty over the disputed Dorra gas field in the Gulf, the Saudi Press Agency has reported. The claim was made in a statement by the foreign ministry in Riyadh. The agency quoted the ministry as saying that the two countries renewed their calls for Iran to "engage in negotiations concerning the eastern border of the gas field." It has proposed that negotiations should involve Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as one party and Iran as the other, "adhering to international law and principles of good neighbourliness." Iran has said previously that it has a right to the Dorra field. It described an agreement to develop the field concluded by Saudi Arabia […]]]> 657874 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-brazil-president-supports-accession-of-saudi-arabia-uae-to-brics/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:41:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657845 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for more countries joining the BRICS group. Lula said in the capital, Brasilia, yesterday that he supports countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the group. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August. He also described the seven leading industrialised countries as a "club" that should not exist, considering that its form in terms of geopolitical affairs is outdated. The UK, US, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of Western industrialised countries, known as the G7. Some 22 countries have "formally" asked to join the BRICS group, while […]]]> 657845 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-why-are-israel-and-saudi-arabia-heading-for-normalisation-and-what-might-stop-it/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:16:23 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657769 Despite US efforts to get Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalise their relations, the process keeps faltering. Israeli officials speak of a long and important list of demands made by the Kingdom to the Americans. Although a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Muslim world will give greater legitimacy to relations with Israel, such an agreement requires the apartheid state to do certain things, according to Israeli political and diplomatic officials. US President Joe Biden's administration has the ambitious goal to broker such normalisation before the next presidential election campaign. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have set the same goal. He has a clear interest in strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia as it is […]]]> 657769 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-saudi-arabia-israel-firms-sign-joint-energy-venture-to-advance-kingdoms-solar-energy-transition/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:45:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657552 Firms in Israel and Saudi Arabia have signed a joint venture agreement to advance the Gulf Kingdom's transition to solar energy, in a rare public deal between the two countries that do not have official diplomatic relations. According to Bloomberg, SolarEdge Technologies, Inc – a major Israeli solar energy firm – formed a joint venture with Ajlan & Bros Holding, a conglomerate in Saudi Arabia's private sector. The agreement will be established in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to "support the deployment of smart renewable energy solutions in Saudi Arabia", SolarEdge stated, with the aim of helping the Kingdom achieve its target to reduce dependence on oil by 2030. In a joint statement, the two companies announced that the venture will […]]]> 657552 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-geopolitical-realities-in-the-middle-east-and-the-political-mandate-of-the-iaea/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:45:44 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657382 Geopolitical events in the Middle East, as well as the recent visit of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, to Iran for nuclear programme talks, contribute to how quickly the world is changing. With rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered by China, undermining US influence, new geopolitical realities are being created in the region. Having received funding from the UN, the IAEA has decided to take on a political mandate. Although Iran has never been charged with breaking the law, there is a widespread assumption in the West that this may be the case. Uncertainties result from this deficit of trust. During discussions between 2002 and 2018, Iran committed to stick to several […]]]> 657382 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-liverpool-manager-jurgen-klopp-urges-fifa-to-intervene-against-saudi-pro-league/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:04:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657359 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is the latest high-profile name to express his exasperation over the Saudi Pro League. The German manager raised his concerns over the discrepancy in transfer window closing dates between Europe and Saudi Arabia. He has called on football world governing body, FIFA, to act as the Saudi transfer window is set to close three weeks later than that of the top five European leagues, which shut on 1 September. Clubs in Saudi Arabia have until 20 September to finalise their business, and this extended window has resulted in significant investments in player acquisitions throughout the summer. The mismatch in deadlines could have potential ramifications for European squads, particularly if the Saudi Pro League continues to attract […]]]> 657359 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-israel-asks-saudi-arabia-for-direct-flights/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:32:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657200 Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Tuesday that he expects there to be direct flights between the occupation state and Saudi Arabia "by March next year," the Jerusalem Post has reported. Cohen made his prediction as talks between Riyadh and Washington are ongoing over a security pact that would include a normalisation of Saudi Arabia's ties with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has long hoped that it could arrange for direct flights between the two countries. To date, though, its efforts have been unsuccessful. "One of the things that I told the Saudis is that they should authorise flights from Ben-Gurion International Airport to Makkah," said Cohen, particularly for the Hajj pilgrimage. "That would be for Muslims […]]]> 657200 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-us-proposal-to-rescue-israel-is-as-offensive-as-it-is-ridiculous/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:18:18 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657098 "Why is the US paying for Israel's peace?" is a reasonable question to ask in light of recent rumours in Washington over the latest proposal to rescue the occupation state from the brink of disaster. The sentiment was widely shared in response to a recent article by Thomas Friedman in which the New York Times columnist revealed details of a possible deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel and the price American would have to pay to make such a deal possible. Americans are rightly asking "Why does the US even care if Saudi Arabia has peace with Israel and why would WE have to purchase that peace at the price of tying ourselves to Saudia Arabia if it were attacked […]]]> 657098 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-saudi-arabia-to-grant-yemen-1-2bn-in-economic-aid/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:41:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657115 Saudi Arabia has approved a $1.2 billion grant to Yemen's internationally-recognised government, led by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), as part of efforts to prop up the war-torn country's flagging economy, AFP reported citing two officials. According to the sources, Yemen's finance minister and central bank governor as well as the Saudi ambassador are expected to disclose details of the grant at a signing ceremony in Riyadh at 5pm (1400 GMT). News of the grant was reported by Reuters earlier today citing a Saudi source who disclosed that the support will contribute to strengthening security and preventing a return of military clashes. The substantial funds would encourage dialogue on all sides to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, the source added. […]]]> 657115 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-kremlin-seeks-more-info-about-talks-in-saudi-ukraine-says-moscow-unwelcome/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:29:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657113 The Kremlin said, on Monday, it needed to learn more about the purpose of talks planned in Saudi Arabia about the war in Ukraine, but Ukraine made it plain Russia was not welcome at the meeting, Reuters reports. The meeting was first reported last Saturday in the Wall Street Journal, which said Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to talks, focusing on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's peace plan. The paper said Kyiv and Western countries hoped that the talks could lead to international backing for peace terms favouring Ukraine. Asked about the WSJ report, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said: "Of course, Russia will follow this meeting. We need to understand what goals are set and what will […]]]> 657113 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-un-food-agency-decides-to-suspend-malnutrition-prevention-program-in-yemen/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:22:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657094 The UN World Food Program (WFP) has decided to suspend its malnutrition prevention program in Yemen in August, citing "critical funding shortfalls" as a major reason, Anadolu Agency reports. In its latest report on the situation in Yemen, the UN food agency stated that critical funding shortfalls, combined with ongoing supply disruptions, force it to "fully suspend malnutrition prevention activity" as of August. "This will allow WFP to utilise the scarce resources available to cover the requirements of the life-saving moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) treatment programme", it said in its report released in late July. In order to navigate the critical situation in Yemen, according to the report, the limited available funds would be allocated to life-saving treatment programs for […]]]> 657094 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-liverpool-midfielder-fabinho-moves-to-saudis-al-ittihad/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:09:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656952 Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Fabinho yesterday joined Saudi champions Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal. Al-Ittihad said on X, formerly Twitter, that the 29-year-old signed a contract until 2026 with the Jeddah club to join French stars Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante and Portuguese winger Jota. "Today I leave my home. It's been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honor and happiness possible. Since day one at Liverpool, I've been embraced by everyone." "…I love this club. Thank you, Reds, for everything we've experienced together. You will never walk alone," Fabinho said in a farewell message. Today I leave my home. It's been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honor and happiness possible. Since […]]]> 656952 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-norway-signs-carbon-capture-deal-with-saudi-aramco/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:03:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656760 Norwegian Carbon Capture Company said it has joined hands with Saudi oil giant, Aramco, to explore partnership opportunities to deploy carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and industrial modularisation in Saudi Arabia, Trade Arabia reports. According to the report, the MoU is expected to focus on carbon emissions reduction and removal through CCUS from industries and energy solutions by offering modular carbon capture plants and aftermarket services. "We are pleased to announce this opportunity with Aramco that aims to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's Net Zero 2060 ambition," said Aker Carbon Capture CEO, Egil Fagerland, after signing the two-year deal with Aramco Executive Vice President (Technical Services), Ahmad Al Sa'adi. Through the Middle East Green Initiative, the […]]]> 656760 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-mossad-chief-held-secret-us-talks-about-saudi-normalisation-report/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:42:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656746 Israeli intelligence chief, David Barnea, held undisclosed talks in Washington about the Biden administration's ongoing push to normalise relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to a report published Monday, Reuters reports. Barnea, who heads Israel's Mossad intelligence service, met senior White House and CIA officials two weeks ago about the effort to establish diplomatic relations between the countries, Axios reported, citing two anonymous US officials. US President, Joe Biden, is seeking to cement an agreement by early next year, at the latest, that would see Saudi Arabia and Israel officially recognise each other. Biden is keen to have the pact in place before the 2024 campaign season kicks into high gear next spring, according to Axios. READ: Saudi FM: […]]]> 656746 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-iran-threatens-to-exploit-contested-gulf-gas-field/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:44:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656673 Iran is to pursue what it believes are its rights over the disputed Durra/Arash offshore gas field in the Gulf if the other parties fail to cooperate, the country's Oil Minister Javad Owji said yesterday. "If there is no willingness to cooperate, Iran will pursue its rights and benefits, including the exploitation and exploration of the Arash gas field, and will not tolerate any violation of its rights," the minister added. However, he reiterated that Tehran is open to diplomacy regarding an amicable settlement over border and maritime issues with neighbours Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which also claim the field. Owji's comments come after his Kuwaiti counterpart, Saad Al-Barrak said on Thursday that the Gulf state plans to commence drilling […]]]> 656673 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230730-israel-to-build-27-bln-rail-expansion-eyes-future-link-to-saudi-arabia/ Sun, 30 Jul 2023 15:16:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656509 Israel will build a 100 billion shekel ($27 billion) rail expansion that will connect its outlying areas to metropolitan Tel Aviv and, in the future, could provide overland links to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, reports Reuters. The announcement followed a trip by top US officials to Saudi Arabia last week to advance a possible forging of formal relations between the Muslim powerhouse and Israel. Opening the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Netanyahu appeared to sidestep the constitutional crisis that has roiled the country for seven months, denting its economy and shaking Western allies' confidence in its democratic health. Instead, he promoted infrastructure initiatives including the "One Israel Project", which he described as designed to reduce travel time by […]]]> 656509 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230730-israeli-deputy-says-normalisation-with-saudis-does-not-appear-imminent/ Sun, 30 Jul 2023 14:51:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656507 A top Israeli lawmaker said on Sunday that any forging of relations with Saudi Arabia did not appear imminent, citing what he described as sticking points in negotiations currently being held between Riyadh and US mediators, says Reuters. US President Joe Biden, having dispatched his national security adviser to Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible normalisation deal with Israel that he deems a policy priority, said on Friday that "there's a rapprochement maybe under way". The idea has been under discussion since the Saudis gave their quiet assent to Gulf neighbours United Arab Emirates and Bahrain establishing ties with Israel in 2020. But Riyadh has not followed suit, saying Palestinian demands must first be met. "I think it's too early […]]]> 656507 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230730-saudi-spending-has-changed-football-transfer-market-says-pep-guardiola/ Sun, 30 Jul 2023 13:21:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656495 Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has said Saudi Arabia has "changed the football transfer market" following Riyad Mahrez's move on Friday to join Jeddah-based football club Al-Ahli in a deal worth almost $40 million, becoming one of the latest high-profile Premier League player to play in the Saudi Pro League. Guardiola who led City to win their historic treble last season, made the comments yesterday while the club is on a pre-season tour of South Korea. It is worth noting that City is heavily backed by the UAE and are owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a member of the ruling family. "The Saudi league has completely changed the market" Pep Guardiola says more big names will move to […]]]> 656495 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-top-biden-adviser-in-saudi-arabia-for-high-level-talks/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:06:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656084 US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, on Thursday in Jeddah, the White House said, as US officials search for ways to reach a deal normalising ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Reuters reports. US officials have sought for months to reach what would be a historic agreement between the long-time adversaries, but the Saudis have been resistant. President Joe Biden said on CNN in early July that Israel and Saudi Arabia are a long way from a normalisation agreement that would involve a defence treaty and a civilian nuclear program from the United States. Sullivan, who was joined by White House Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, met bin Salman and senior Saudi officials and […]]]> 656084 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-muslims-decry-repeated-quran-burnings-desecration-in-western-countries/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:43:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656066 Muslims, worldwide, have condemned the desecration and burning of the Quran in Denmark and Sweden, asserting that these attacks cannot be justified by freedom of expression, Anadolu Agency reports. In response to the rising incidents of Quran desecration in Western countries, Anadolu spoke with locals from Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon and Palestine who took to the streets condemning the act. Yusuf Abu Sunayne, a preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied East Jerusalem, said: "The Book of Allah has been preserved in the hearts of Muslims; no matter what they do, no matter how much they hate, no matter how many opportunities they look to attack, the Book of Allah will guide Muslims in the East and West." He went on […]]]> 656066 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-israel-warns-against-burning-of-torah-in-sweden/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:26:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656058 Israel warned, on Friday, that the burning of the Torah in Sweden could harm relations between the two countries, Anadolu Agency reports. Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, spoke with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, and explained to him that Israel takes seriously the use of threats to burn holy books in Sweden, according to a statement by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Cohen told Billstrom that he was "horrified" by the possible recurrence of burning the Torah in Sweden, stating that this could harm relations between the two countries. The Israeli Foreign Minister conveyed in his message that Israel expects the Swedish government to prevent such acts that would have an impact on the bilateral ties. According to Israel 24 website, the […]]]> 656058 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-pakistan-oil-companies-collaborate-with-saudi-aramco-for-10bn-refinery-project/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:55:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655972 Four leading Pakistani oil companies will join hands with Saudi Arabia's state-owned Aramco for a $10 billion Greenfield refinery project at Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port, Anadolu Agency reports. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Pakistani and the Saudi companies in the capital, Islamabad, on Thursday, said a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum. The Pakistani state-owned entities, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), will collaborate with Aramco through a "joint investment strategy", the statement said, without providing further details. The project envisions setting up an integrated refinery petrochemical complex with a crude oil processing capacity of a minimum of 300,000 barrels per day (BPD), along with […]]]> 655972 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-saudi-arabia-aims-to-plant-50m-mangrove-trees-to-combat-desertification/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:03:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655642 Saudi Arabia opened its first mangrove nursery on Wednesday, which is targeting to plant 50 million trees by 2030 in the fight against desertification, Anadolu Agency reports. John Pagano, Chief Executive of Red Sea Global, the developer behind the project, said they aim to grow the trees in partnership with the National Centre for Vegetation Cover, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The nursery was launched on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which is celebrated every year on 26 July. Pagano highlighted the need to find nature-based solutions to overcome challenges, while exploring the latest technologies and innovative methods. He said mangroves are one of the most valuable natural assets and serve as […]]]> 655642 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-saudi-arabia-detains-relatives-of-us-citizen-over-lawsuit-rights-groups-say/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:04:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655281 Saudi Arabian authorities have detained five relatives of a US citizen, rights groups said on Wednesday, arguing that the detentions were retaliation for his family's failed lawsuit against the Saudi government in the United States, Reuters reports. The Freedom Initiative, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and ALQST for Human Rights said Saudi security forces had arrested four relatives of US citizen, Rakan Nader Aldossari on 11 May. An uncle was detained on 9 April, the groups said in a statement. His grandfather's wife, an aunt and two other uncles were detained in May and some were held in cold cells with no blankets or proper beds, the statement said. The Saudi government communications office did not respond to […]]]> 655281 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-saudi-arabia-denies-un-report-on-human-rights-violations-in-neom-project/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:22:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655201 Saudi Arabia has officially responded to human rights concerns by the United Nations over the NEOM megacity project being constructed in the Kingdom, alleging that three men sentenced to death are not prosecuted over their refusal to relocate but, instead, over terrorist activities. In a 27-page letter by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations earlier this month, it responded to a report by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which raised concerns over the Kingdom's sentencing to death of three men for reportedly refusing to relocate from their historic homeland in the north-west of the country to make way for the construction of the vast megacity NEOM project. According to the UN experts […]]]> 655201 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-arab-leaders-use-palestine-to-boost-their-popularity/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:58:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655191 Early this week, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said that his country's independence would never be complete as long as Palestine is occupied. Echoing the words of the late South African freedom fighter and President Nelson Mandela, he also pointed out that this has been the position of his predecessors as well. "Palestine's strength can only be achieved through its unity," he told CNN China. "The Palestinians know this very well." He added that some Arab states, and China, are striving to get Palestine accepted as a full UN member state "even if it is still occupied." In fact, most free people around the world appear to support the Palestinians and wish to see the Israeli occupation ended as soon as […]]]> 655191 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-barbie-kabsa-a-saudis-take-on-barbiecore/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:31:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655183 READ: Saudi Arabia: Sadio Mane 'agrees' to join Al-Nasr FC]]> 655183 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-egypt-remittances-from-abroad-down-26-1/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:37:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655156 The Central Bank of Egypt announced yesterday that remittances from Egyptians working abroad have decreased by 26.1 per cent this fiscal year. During the first nine months of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, remittances were $17.5 billion, compared to $23.5 billion the previous year. Remittances from Egyptians abroad are the largest source of foreign currency in Egypt, and the North African country is the fifth largest recipient of remittances worldwide. Exports, tourism and Suez Canal revenue are the largest forms of currency after remittances.  Income from remittances was higher than revenues from the Suez Canal and tourism combined in the 2021-2022 year. Remittances from abroad plummeted in March 2022, after Egypt devalued the pound for the first time. The government has since devalued […]]]> 655156 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-saudi-arabia-sadio-mane-agrees-to-join-al-nasr-fc/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:56:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655117 Footballer Sadio Mane has reportedly agreed to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Nasr Football Club, Saudi Okaz has reported. The newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that Al-Nasr was given until today to meet the transfer demands and personal terms of Mane and his current club Bayern Munich. The sources did not reveal the amount to be paid by the Saudi club to buy Mane, just a year after his £35 million transfer from Liverpool to Bayern. However, football journalist James Benge of CBS Sports network said that the Saudi club has submitted an official request to the Saudi Ministry of Sports to finance the deal. He claimed that Al-Nasr will pay a €40m transfer fee to Bayern Munich, and Mane will […]]]> 655117 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-qatar-beats-rivals-to-run-pakistan-airports/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:59:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655097 Qatar has manged to fend off competition from Saudi Arabia, UAE and China to secure a deal with Pakistan over the running of Islamabad Airport. The sale, via tender of a contract, to manage Islamabad Airport is nearing completion after consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Ministry of Finance said Thursday. The Ministry said that Pakistan had begun outsourcing of operations at three major airports, and Islamabad was the first of these to be affected. Generating foreign exchange reserves for Pakistan's ailing economy is said to be the reason for the sale. In its statement, the Ministry said it had been unanimously agreed for the outsourcing of operations at Islamabad Airport to go ahead in order to improve […]]]> 655097 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-saudi-arabia-plots-5bn-selfridges-takeover/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:50:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654978 Saudi Arabia is plotting the takeover of the iconic Selfridges department store in London's Oxford Street in an effort to increase its international influence and boost the development of its economy, the Telegraph has revealed. Riyadh is said to have emerged as the private financial backer of a $5.1 billion purchase of the luxury store. If the deal is completed, the acquisition will seal the Kingdom's third high profile takeover of famous British brands The takeover is being plotted using Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), valued at $642bn. It is being pursued through a European intermediary, Austrian property company Signa Holding. The Saudi PIF is the primary vehicle of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for his vision to modernise […]]]> 654978 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-saudi-offers-french-striker-mbappe-330m-to-join-al-hilal/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:54:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654965 Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal Football Club has made history by offering a record €300 million ($332 million) to French striker and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Captain, Kylian Mbappe. Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano said if the deal is concluded, Mbappe will become the most expensive player in football history. According to several press reports, Al-Hilal offered Mbappe a world record salary, making him the highest paid football player. The Saudi offer is for one season only, after which the player will be free to decide his future. According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, who works for the French RMC Sports, Al-Hilal is offering Mbappe €400 million ($441.7 million) over two seasons. Mbappe has informed PSG that he does not intend to extend his contract with the team. […]]]> 654965 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-jordan-syria-army-intelligence-chiefs-discuss-combating-of-drug-smuggling-over-border/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:14:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654845 Jordanian and Syrian army and intelligence chiefs met yesterday to discuss the ongoing smuggling of drugs over the Syria-Jordan border, in the first of a series of meetings to resolve the issue. In a statement by Jordan's Foreign Ministry, it said that a meeting headed by Jordanian Army chief, Lieutenant-General Yousef Hunaiti and Syrian Defence Minister, Ali Mahmoud Abbas, was held to discuss the trafficking of narcotics over their countries' common border, with the Jordanian and Syrian intelligence heads both present. "The meeting discussed cooperation in confronting the danger of drugs, its sources of production and smuggling and the groups that are organising and supervising the smuggling operations across the border to Jordan", the statement said. It added that "They […]]]> 654845 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-qatar-appoints-its-first-ambassador-to-uae-since-2017/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:03:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654841 Qatar on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in more than six years after the UAE, along with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, severed ties with Doha in 2017. The Emir of Qatar appointed Dr Sultan Salmeen Saeed Al Mansouri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Arab Emirates. Al Mansouri will be the first Qatari ambassador to the UAE since 2017. The decision was published in the official gazette. Last month, Qatar and the UAE agreed to restore their diplomatic representation and reopen embassies. READ: Turkiye, Qatar determined to boost bilateral ties: joint declaration]]> 654841 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-videos-allegedly-show-protests-in-syria-against-collapse-of-the-pound/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:42:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654716 Videos are circulating online which allegedly show protests in Jaramana, close to the Syrian capital of Damascus, against the collapse of the Syrian pound. NEW — protesters are rampaging across Jaramana in #Damascus, protesting against the collapse of #Syria's Pound & the #Assad regime's failure to respond. This is virtually unprecedented since 2011-12.pic.twitter.com/WHsVtNzah9 — Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) July 23, 2023 This month, the Syrian pound recorded a historic collapse against the US dollar as its exchange rate hit the lowest ever, 12,0000 Syrian pounds to the dollar. At the beginning of this year, the market rate was around 6,500 Syrian pounds to the dollar. Before protests in 2011, Syria's Arab Spring, the Syrian pound traded at 47 to the dollar. Reports online say […]]]> 654716 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230723-saudi-authorities-seize-over-6m-narcotic-pills-in-riyadh/ Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:03:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654648 Authorities in Saudi Arabia seized more than six million narcotic pills concealed in sweets and nuts from a shipment coming from Oman and arrested a Saudi and a Syrian national on the charges of carrying them, local media reported on Saturday, Reuters reports. More than six million Captagon tablets hidden in sweets, citrus, and nuts were seized in an operation carried out in coordination with Oman police, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing Marwan Al-Hazimi, spokesperson for the General Directorate of Narcotics Control. A Saudi and a Syrian national from Oman were allegedly carrying the drugs and were arrested in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities detained several people and seized a large amount of […]]]> 654648 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230723-saudi-arabia-citizens-can-invite-muslim-friends-abroad-for-umrah-on-new-visa/ Sun, 23 Jul 2023 10:47:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654627 Citizens of Saudi Arabia can invite Muslim friends overseas to perform Umrah on new "personal visit visas," the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Thursday. In a social media post on Twitter, the ministry explained that the visas, which can be obtained online will be available for single entry or multiple entry. In addition to allowing visitors to perform the minor pilgrimage in Makkah and visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, personal visit visa holders will also be allowed to go on "tourist trips to all regions and cities of Saudi Arabia." Holders of personal visit visas are willingly allowed to perform Umrah.#Makkah_in_Our_Hearts pic.twitter.com/MdIEqrqCGo — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) July 19, 2023 The ministry further clarified that […]]]> 654627 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-saudi-arabia-summons-swedish-charge-daffairs-to-protest-quran-burning/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:00:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654440 The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Swedish Embassy in the Kingdom, handing him a protest note against the burning and desecration of copies of the Holy Quran. This was conveyed in a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. The statement read: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned today (Friday) the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Sweden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and handed him a protest note on Riyadh's demand for the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings and international laws and norms." The statement: "Affirmed the Kingdom of […]]]> 654440