British PM praises Saudi crown prince for role in promoting Middle East stability

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British prime minister Keir Starmer spoke on Monday. (SPA/Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British prime minister Keir Starmer spoke on Monday. (SPA/Reuters)
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Updated 16 July 2024
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British PM praises Saudi crown prince for role in promoting Middle East stability

British PM praises Saudi crown prince for role in promoting Middle East stability
  • Starmer, Prince Mohammed reflected on strong relationship between UK and Kingdom
  • Starmer thanked the crown prince for his congratulations on recent election victory

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke on Monday.

Starmer thanked the crown prince for giving his congratulations on the Labour Party leader’s election victory and reported on his first days in government, a Downing Street statement said.

While discussing the situation in the Middle East, the prime minister praised the crown prince for his leadership in supporting regional stability, and emphasized the UK’s enduring commitment to peace and security in the region.

The prime minister and crown prince reflected on the strong relationship between the UK and the Kingdom, including through the Strategic Partnership Council. 

The leaders look forward to meeting in person soon and working together to strengthen areas of shared interest, including trade, investment, and defense cooperation, the statement from No. 10 added.


5m amphetamine pills seized after Saudi authorities tip off Lebanese customs

5m amphetamine pills seized after Saudi authorities tip off Lebanese customs
Updated 01 July 2025
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5m amphetamine pills seized after Saudi authorities tip off Lebanese customs

5m amphetamine pills seized after Saudi authorities tip off Lebanese customs

RIYADH: An attempt to smuggle over 5 million amphetamine pills into Lebanon was thwarted after Saudi authorities provided intel to their Lebanese counterparts who intercepted the container where the pills were concealed inside glass and porcelain tableware.

Talal bin Shalhoub, spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, said that intel shared with the Lebanese Customs falls within Saudi Arabia’s proactive security follow-up of the activities of drug smuggling criminal networks.

He commended cooperation with relevant authorities in Lebanon in monitoring and seizing narcotic substances, stressing that the Kingdom continues to monitor, confront, and thwart criminal activities targeting the Kingdom's security and youth through narcotics, and to arrest those involved.


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written messages from presidents of Vietnam, Angola

Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).
Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written messages from presidents of Vietnam, Angola

Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has received written messages from the presidents of Vietnam and Angola, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The message from President Luong Cuong related to Saudi-Vietnamese relations and ways to support and strengthen them in all fields.

The message was received by the Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Public Diplomacy Deputyship, Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh.

President of Angola Joao Lourenco also sent the king a letter regarding relations between their countries and ways to support and strengthen them in all fields.

That message was received by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Angola’s ambassador to the Kingdom Frederico Cardoso.


Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa

Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa
Updated 30 June 2025
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Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa

Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa
  • Harvest typically spans May 20 to July 20, marking an important period for both local agriculture and the national date market
  • Markets across Saudi Arabia are preparing to welcome over 20 varieties of premium dates cultivated in Al-Ahsa

JEDDAH: As temperatures rise, Al-Ahsa is witnessing the early signs of its annual date harvest, with farmers beginning to reap the season’s first rutab — dates in the soft, early-ripening stage of dates.

The harvest typically spans May 20 to July 20, marking an important period for both local agriculture and the national date market.

This year, markets across Saudi Arabia are preparing to welcome over 20 varieties of premium dates cultivated in Al-Ahsa, including the highly favored Khalas, Shishi, and Ghar varieties.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed the 2025 rutab season in Al-Ahsa signals a promising yield, with initial quantities already making their way across the Kingdom. 

Varieties such as Rutab Al-Tayyar, Majnaz, Ghar, Khneizi, Shishi and Khalas are expected to arrive at different stages throughout the harvest period, offering a steady flow of fresh produce. The harvest of the late-season rutab is set to begin in early July and will continue until mid-August, featuring prized varieties like Um Rahim, Zamli, Shahl, and Hilali.

Following the rutab season, Al-Ahsa will move into the full date (tamr) harvest from mid-August to early October, with popular varieties such as Shishi, Khalas and Raziz forming the core of this stage. 

In addition to fresh dates, Al-Ahsa is also known for producing some of the finest varieties for molasses (dibs), including varieties like Marzban, Hatemi and Shahl, highly valued for their rich flavor and syrupy texture.

Al-Ahsa, recognized as the largest palm oasis in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 2 million palm trees. Each year, the region produces over 120,000 tons of dates, making it a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural landscape.

With its unique blend of fertile land, deep-rooted heritage, and diverse produce, it continues to be a global center for date cultivation and a vital contributor to the Kingdom’s cultural and economic identity.


Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,493 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 1,448 unexploded ordnances, 27 anti-tank mines, 14 anti-personnel mines and four improvised explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 502,736 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.

 


Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar
  • The ambassador came to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Ambassador of Myanmar to the Kingdom Tin Yu in Riyadh on Monday.

The ambassador came to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

Al-Sati praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries and wished him continued success in his duties.