Overdue business rents waived by Saudi court

If a contract obliges one of the parties to carry out a task, which cannot be completed on time due to the pandemic, the court can temporarily suspend the implementation of the obligation. (SPA)
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Updated 19 January 2021
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Overdue business rents waived by Saudi court

  • The new regulations cover construction contracts, supply contracts, and the like, which have been affected by the pandemic

RIYADH: The General Assembly of the Saudi Supreme Court has ordered the waiving of overdue rents on businesses hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and called for a review of such contracts between tenants and owners.

The steps have been taken in view of the circumstances caused by the pandemic, wherein an obligation or contract cannot be implemented without unusual losses.

The president of the Supreme Court, Khalid bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Luhaidan, approved the decisions backed by 32 members of the assembly, Okaz newspaper reported.

Authorities have set conditions that have to be met before a case can be considered for review under the new regulations.

If a contract was concluded before the commencement of the preventive measures announced in the wake of the pandemic, then the impact was direct and unavoidable. If in such a case, an affected party was not compensated or did not reach a deal to mitigate the impact of the health crisis, then it qualifies for a review and the new regulations will then take effect, said legal sources.

The Supreme Court said a competent court will issue its verdict based on facts and circumstantial evidence, and may order amendments to a contract.

It also said the new provisions will be applicable to tenancy contracts and movable properties affected by the pandemic.

It clarified that if, due to the pandemic, a tenant was unable to use the leased property, in whole or in part, the court would reduce the rent as much as the usually intended benefit was reduced.

A lessor, meanwhile, does not have the right to terminate the contract if a tenant is late in paying rent for the period during which it was impossible to fully or partly use the property due to the pandemic.

HIGHLIGHT

The Supreme Court said a competent court will issue its verdict based on facts and circumstantial evidence, and may order amendments to a contract.

The new regulations also cover construction contracts, supply contracts, and the like, which have been affected by the pandemic.

If the pandemic causes an increase to the cost of materials and labor wages, etc., the court shall increase the value of the contract while ensuring the obligor can afford to bear the expense. The obligee, upon increasing the obligation, has the right to request the termination of the contract. If the increase in the cost of materials is temporary, the court reserves the right to temporarily suspend the contract.

If the pandemic causes a shortage of material in the market, the court can reduce the quantity to the extent it deems sufficient to protect the obligor from harm.

Moreover, if the shortage of materials is temporary, the court can temporarily suspend the contract if the person obligated to it is not severely affected by this suspension. If he is harmed, he may request termination of the contract. If the materials were not available at all, leading to the impossibility of implementing the contractual obligations or some of them, the court will terminate the clauses that are impossible to implement upon the request of one of the parties to the contract.

If a contract obliges one of the parties to carry out a task, which cannot be completed on time due to the pandemic, the court can temporarily suspend the implementation of the obligation. If the other party fears unusual damage due to the suspension, he may request termination of the contract.

In addition, the court also stressed the need to carefully assess the damages on a case-to-case basis, and that one or more experts should do the assessment. While assessing damages, it should be made clear what losses were incurred directly due to the pandemic and had nothing do to with seasonal upswing in certain activities.

The Supreme Court explained that a court is bound, when considering cases arising from contracts and obligations affected by the pandemic, not to apply penalty clause or fines in whole or in part — depending on the case.

In the event that a contract includes a clause of exemption from liability for one of the contracting parties when an emergency or force majeure occurs, the condition has no effect, and the party that breaches the obligation must provide evidence that the pandemic was the reason for the breach.

The affected contracts that are not covered by the provisions of this principle shall be subject to the legal and statutory litigation principles, said the court.

Commenting on the decision, Talal Albotty, the regional director of the Central Region, Salama Insurance Co., said there is a type of insurance called “suspension of operations” because of continuous epidemics, and falls under property insurance.

“This type of insurance can be found in European countries and some Asian countries but it is not applicable in Saudi Arabia,” he told Arab News. “The insurance against projects does not exist because when the project stops, insurance stops.”

Regarding the rise in prices of commodities, or the increase in prices because of pandemics and suspension of imports, a condition must be added stating that the value of property or project must increase by 10-25 percent, he added.

“Now most reinsurance companies around the world stopped offering insurance related to pandemics and contagious diseases in most countries, including COVID-19, because their impact was huge and the companies sustained huge losses,” he said.

Saudi lawyer Reem Alajmi said the resolution aims to treat and remedy the losses incurred by parties to the contract in terms of obligations.

“The parties could not fulfil their obligations because of a lack of sufficient resources or suspension of working hours during the pandemic. Fulfilling the obligation fully or partially was difficult because COVID-19 pandemic was a force majeure,” she told Arab News.

According to Alajmi, the effects or damage caused by the pandemic must not be covered by other laws. “Proving the occurrence of damage is the responsibility of the plaintiff and the defendant based on evidence submitted to the court,” she added. “The contracts and obligations are amended accordingly.”

 


Saudi authorities crack down on tourism violations

Updated 13 sec ago
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Saudi authorities crack down on tourism violations

  • Over the past month, inspection teams carried out around 2,750 field visits

RIYADH: The Ministry of Tourism intensified inspections targeting tourism service providers across key summer destinations in cities and regions throughout the Kingdom.

Over the past month, inspection teams carried out around 2,750 field visits, detecting some 170 violations, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

These visits aimed to ensure that tourism entities are licensed by the ministry, safeguarding the rights of both domestic and international tourists as part of the Saudi Summer program.

In Asir, more than 420 inspections uncovered over 25 violations. In Taif, more than 360 visits revealed around 25 violations.

Jeddah recorded over 1,680 visits, revealing more than 110 violations. In the Baha region, more than 280 inspections resulted in five violations.

The ministry emphasized that all tourism service providers — including travel agencies, consultancy offices, and event organizers — must comply with tourism regulations and bylaws to protect tourists’ rights. It also urged the public to report any concerns about tourism services via the unified call center at 930.


Saudi scouts explore culture, skills in Portugal

Updated 11 min 53 sec ago
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Saudi scouts explore culture, skills in Portugal

  • The global event brings together more than 7,100 scouts from 118 scout associations

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Scout Association delegation is participating in the 16th World Scout Moot, taking place in Portugal until Aug. 3.

The global event brings together more than 7,100 scouts from 118 scout associations, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

The Saudi delegation took part in the Paths program — an initiative featuring exploratory journeys across various regions of Portugal, designed to enrich participants’ cultural awareness and knowledge.

It also participated in several training workshops focused on building both individual and team-based skills, the SPA added.

In the coming days, the delegation will move to the main camp near the city of Porto, where the Saudi scouts will engage in five days of activities celebrating Portuguese heritage.

This participation reflects the association’s commitment to empowering Saudi scouts to represent the Kingdom on the international stage, expand their global presence, and strengthen their leadership capabilities.

The World Scout Moot is held every four years and is designed for young people aged 18 to 25, while those aged 26 and above can participate as members of the International Service Team.


Baha festival promotes fitness with walking event

Baha University recently organized a walking challenge under the slogan “A Step Toward Life.” (SPA)
Updated 54 min 52 sec ago
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Baha festival promotes fitness with walking event

  • Event attracted residents and visitors of all ages, including children and the elderly, who enjoyed walking through the heart of the Raghadan Forest Park

RIYADH: As part of its participation in the Baha Summer Festival, Baha University recently organized a walking challenge under the slogan “A Step Toward Life.”

The event attracted residents and visitors of all ages, including children and the elderly, who enjoyed walking through the heart of the Raghadan Forest Park, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The university emphasized that walking is both a recreational activity and a source of significant health benefits for individuals and society.

The event utilized walking trails developed by the Baha municipality within the forest, which have become a model for promoting regular physical activity in a healthy and engaging environment.

The Baha region combines natural beauty, moderate weather, and a variety of sports activities all within an open and interactive setting designed to enhance quality of life and encourage the community to embrace physical activity and explore nature.

Last month, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud inaugurated the summer festival, featuring more than 500 events aimed at attracting 2.5 million visitors.


Two-state solution conference poised to convene at UN as famine spreads in Gaza

Updated 27 July 2025
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Two-state solution conference poised to convene at UN as famine spreads in Gaza

  • FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan says the Kingdom ‘spares no effort in supporting all endeavors aimed at achieving just peace in the region and globally’
  • Despite resistance, analysts say France’s recognition of the State of Palestine could tip the balance internationally

NEW YORK: As the international community braces for the two-state solution conference in New York on July 28-29, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, expectations are high for renewed political will to end decades of conflict and push forward a viable peace. The conference arrives amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and a historic diplomatic shift: France’s decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.

The event — officially titled the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution — is being described as both urgent and historic.

The backdrop is grim: since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, including 50 French nationals, the war in Gaza has taken an unimaginable toll. More than 56,000 Palestinians have died, and the Gaza Strip’s infrastructure and social fabric are in ruins.

From the outset, Saudi Arabia has underscored that recognizing the State of Palestine is not merely symbolic but a “strategic necessity” for regional peace. Ahead of the conference, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan issued a statement saying that the kingdom “spares no effort in supporting all endeavors aimed at achieving just peace in the region and globally. It consistently stresses the importance of implementing the two-state solution through political, diplomatic, and international efforts, as it is a strategic choice that ensures regional and global peace and security.

“From this standpoint came the Kingdom’s presidency — together with the French Republic — of the international conference at the ministerial level to settle the Palestinian issue peacefully.”

He stressed that the conference is aimed at pushing toward the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions that call for the establishment of a two-state solution “where the Palestinian people can exercise their right to self-determination. This will bring peace and stability to the region and support sustainable development and prosperity.”

Riyadh had intensified efforts to galvanize international consensus ahead of the summit. Manal Radwan, counselor at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that a just resolution to the Palestinian question is “the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.”

Slovenia’s permanent representative to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, told Arab News: “The main goal of the conference is to mobilize concrete political, security, and economic support for the implementation of the two-state solution. This should result in an independent, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian state that will coexist in peace and security with Israel.”

Slovenia was one of 10 countries that during Israel’s continuing war on Gaza has formally recognized Palestine, alongside Ireland, Spain and Norway.

UK Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward also underlined the importance of the summit. She told Arab News: “The United Kingdom is resolute in our commitment to a two-state solution and my foreign secretary has been clear that we are prepared to take further action to prevent the forcible erosion of the only viable path to lasting peace. Next week’s conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is a vital opportunity to demonstrate the strength of international resolve to secure a better future for Israelis, Palestinians and the region.”

One of the most consequential developments ahead of the summit is President Emmanuel Macron’s July 24 announcement that France will formally recognize Palestine, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.

“There is no alternative,” Macron said on X. “We must immediately secure a ceasefire, release all hostages, and provide massive humanitarian aid to Gaza. But above all, we must build the State of Palestine ... demilitarized, viable, and coexisting with Israel in full recognition and peace.”

Reactions were swift. The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward justice and international legitimacy. Hussein Al Sheikh, vice president of the PLO, praised France’s “commitment to international law and Palestinian rights.”

Israel condemned the move. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it “rewards terrorism” and accused France of helping to legitimize what could become “an Iranian proxy state.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the decision “a disgrace.”

The United States also criticized France’s stance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it would embolden Hamas and complicate peace efforts.

Despite the pushback, analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group. The US, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK still do not, citing the need for direct negotiations with Israel.

A French diplomatic official briefing journalists ahead of the summit described it as the start of a broader process, not a one-off event. The goal: revive the political momentum for a two-state outcome, even as that vision faces historic setbacks.

The conference will center around four key thematic areas, or “baskets,” intended to remove obstacles to implementing a Palestinian state:

The first basket will focus on recognition of Palestine. France, Saudi Arabia, and their partners will seek to rally additional countries to formally recognize Palestinian statehood. Recognition, the organizers argue, will strengthen moderate voices, most notably the Palestinian Authority, and help push back against radical and extremist factions such as Hamas.

The second area involves normalization and regional integration. While no new normalization agreements are expected, Arab and Muslim states will be encouraged to reaffirm their readiness to normalize relations with Israel — but only if credible progress is made toward Palestinian statehood. The message is that full diplomatic, economic, and security integration in the region is within reach — if peace is pursued.

The third pillar is the reform of Palestinian governance. President Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly pledged a series of major reforms in a letter to the conference organizers. These include a public condemnation of the Octo. 7 attacks, support for the unconditional release of hostages, and a commitment to disarm Hamas. Abbas has also vowed to end the controversial “pay-for-slay” program, under which stipends are paid to families of convicted attackers, and to reform Palestinian educational materials, including textbooks. Most significantly, Abbas has pledged to hold elections within a year, and to ensure that any future Palestinian state would be fully demilitarized — a long-standing Israeli demand.

The fourth and final basket centers on the disarmament and exclusion of Hamas. Conference organizers underline that Hamas must have no role in the future Palestinian state — a stance shared by Israel, France, and many others. Disarmament is being framed as essential to any secure and lasting peace.

The conference will convene foreign ministers and diplomats from dozens of countries and will build upon the work of eight working groups, each focusing on areas such as security, humanitarian aid, and post-war reconstruction.

In parallel, widespread international criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza is mounting. On July 21, the foreign ministers of 26 countries, including Canada, the UK, France, Japan, and most of the EU, jointly declared:

“The war in Gaza must end now ... The suffering of civilians has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous and deprives Gazans of human dignity ... Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law.”

They urged an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and rejected Israel’s settlement expansion plans, including the E1 project, which would bisect any future Palestinian state.

A follow-up summit is planned in September at the UN General Assembly, to be co-chaired by President Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. For now, all eyes are on New York, where the July conference may offer the last best hope to revive a solution that once seemed within reach — but now hangs by a thread.


Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital

Updated 27 July 2025
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Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital

  • The Saudi medical teams conducted extensive and accurate examinations of the twins ahead of the operation

RIYADH: A medical team from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program on Sunday are carrying out an operation to separate Syrian conjoined twin girls in Riyadh. 
The procedure to separate Celine and Eileen Abdulmunem Al-Shabli is taking place at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. 
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who heads the surgical team and is an advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, said the twins come from a Syrian family who sought refuge in Lebanon and had arrived in Saudi Arabia last December.  
Al-Rabeeah said the mother was pregnant with triplets, two conjoined girls and one healthy, non-conjoined boy. On Feb. 28, 2024, the mother gave birth to the triplets in a caesarean section at Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut, he said.
The twins are now one year and five months old. Their combined weight is 14 kilograms.
He explained that the Syrian conjoined twins arrived from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia on Dec. 29, 2024, in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. 
The Saudi medical teams conducted extensive and accurate examinations of the twins ahead of the operation.
The operation is expected take about nine hours, and is being carried out in six stages, with the participation of 24 consultants and specialist doctors.