黑料社区

Saudi foreign minister calls for ending Syria sanctions during talks in Damascus

Update 黑料社区鈥檚 Foreign Minister听Prince Faisal bin Farhan听arrived in Syria on Friday for an official visit. (SPA)
黑料社区鈥檚 Foreign Minister听Prince Faisal bin Farhan听arrived in Syria on Friday for an official visit. (SPA)
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Updated 24 January 2025

Saudi foreign minister calls for ending Syria sanctions during talks in Damascus

Saudi foreign minister calls for ending Syria sanctions during talks in Damascus
  • Prince Faisal is in Syria for his first official visit there since the downfall of Bashar Assad
  • Foreign minister meets Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa and discusses support to help Syria during its transition

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa held talks in Damascus on Friday including the Kingdom's efforts to remove international sanctions from Syria.

Prince Faisal traveled to Syria for his first official visit there since the downfall of Bashar Assad to meet top officials in the new Syrian administration.The talks with Al-Sharaa focused on 鈥渟upporting Syria's security, stability and unity,鈥 the foreign ministry said.

鈥淭he talks also addressed efforts to support Syria's political, humanitarian, and economic aspects, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria and provide all forms of assistance and support to Syria during this critical phase to restore stability across its entire territory and revive its national institutions in a manner that aligns with the aspirations and hopes of the Syrian people,鈥 the statement said.

Speaking at a press conference alongside the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Prince Faisal said it was important to accelerate the 鈥渓ifting and freezing of all sanctions."

He said 黑料社区 was engaged in "active dialogue with all relevant countries, whether the United States or the European Union, and we are hearing positive messages.鈥

The EU and the US placed an extensive sanctions regime on Syria during the rule of Assad, who was toppled from power by Al-Sharaa鈥檚 Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies in December.

The US said earlier this month that it would ease sanctions on transactions with Syrian government institutions to help the flow of humanitarian assistance.

The EU is reported to be close to agreeing to ease sanctions on certain sectors.

During his meeting with Al-Sharaa, Prince Faisal passed on the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The new Syrian administration chose 黑料社区 for its first foreign visit when Al-Shaibani led a delegation to Riyadh earlier this month.

The Kingdom has stepped up humanitarian aid supplies to Syria since the start of the year.

Prince Faisal arrived in Syrian after a visit to Lebanon on Thursday, where he met the new President General Joseph Aoun.


Riyadh mayor launches municipal transformation program

Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
Updated 10 sec ago

Riyadh mayor launches municipal transformation program

Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
  • The aim of the program is to improve the efficiency of city operations 鈥 raising the quality of services provided to beneficiaries 鈥 and align them with the needs of residents and the particularities of each geographic sector of the Saudi capital

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf has launched the Riyadh Municipal Transformation Program, which aims to keep pace with the rapid growth witnessed by the capital, in response to the city鈥檚 needs and in a manner befitting its global status.

The program is intended to ensure the ability to provide services that match the scale of existing and future projects, as well as the global events that Riyadh will be hosting in the coming years.

The aim of the program is to improve the efficiency of city operations 鈥 raising the quality of services provided to beneficiaries 鈥 and align them with the needs of residents and the particularities of each geographic sector of the Saudi capital.

This will be achieved by transforming all of Riyadh鈥檚 16 sub-municipalities into five sectors tasked with providing both direct and indirect municipal services.

 


黑料社区 marks World Animal Day

黑料社区 marks World Animal Day
Updated 18 sec ago

黑料社区 marks World Animal Day

黑料社区 marks World Animal Day
  • The society coordinates with regional and international associations, trains interested parties, consults with government and private agencies to overcome obstacles, and represents the Kingdom in international animal welfare forums

JEDDAH: 黑料社区 marked World Animal Day, observed annually on Oct. 4, to raise awareness about animal protection and care while intensifying efforts to advance global animal welfare standards.

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture leads the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts by organizing exhibitions and events for all segments of society, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It aims to strengthen communication with stakeholders and support veterinary facilities.

The Saudi Animal Welfare Society, also known as Refq, complements these efforts by promoting a culture of animal welfare in line with Islamic teachings, working to reduce the spread of stray animals through scientific principles, providing treatment and shelter, facilitating re-adoption, and curbing poaching, the SPA reported.

The society also coordinates with regional and international associations, trains interested parties, consults with government and private agencies to overcome obstacles, and represents the Kingdom in international animal welfare forums.

 


Math competition seeks to discover 黑料社区鈥檚 best young brains

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
Updated 23 sec ago

Math competition seeks to discover 黑料社区鈥檚 best young brains

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
  • Youngsters will have the chance to win prizes and take part in a summer math camp to be hosted next year by KAUST and the University of Cambridge in the UK

JEDDAH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has launched a competition to find the most talented middle and high school students in mathematics.

Youngsters will have the chance to win prizes and take part in a summer math camp to be hosted next year by KAUST and the University of Cambridge in the UK.

The competition adheres to international standards for algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory and provides a pathway to KAUST's pre-university academic programs.

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. The preliminary rounds will take place in several cities on Dec. 13, with the final to be held at KAUST from April 3-5 next year.

Further information is available from the KAUST website.

 


GCC secretary general praises region's health care system

GCC secretary general praises region's health care system
Updated 30 sec ago

GCC secretary general praises region's health care system

GCC secretary general praises region's health care system
  • Albudaiwi highlighted advances in disease prevention, workforce training and medical services, saying the region now surpasses global averages in health indices

RIYADH: Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, praised the progress of the region鈥檚 health system at the 11th meeting of the Committee of GCC Health Ministers chaired by president of the session Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Kuwaiti minister of health, in Kuwait on Saturday.

Albudaiwi highlighted advances in disease prevention, workforce training and medical services, saying the region now surpasses global averages in health indices, according to a report by the General Secretariat.

鈥淭he GCC countries are working in partnership with the World Health Organization on the project to accredit the Healthy Cities Program, which seeks to achieve the highest level of health and well-being in sustainable and socially effective cities,鈥 he said.

 


Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m
Updated 04 October 2025

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m
  • The 10-day event also gives visitors the chance to enjoy a range of cultural and social activities

RIYADH: Sales at an auction in Hail for rare and distinctive camel breeds topped SR5.7 million ($1.5 million) in its opening week, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event, in Al-Qaid, on the outskirts of the northern city, is one of the largest of its kind in the region and provides an important boost to the local economy.

The 10-day event also gives visitors the chance to enjoy a range of cultural and social activities.

Camel breeding is a revered tradition in the Kingdom and while the animals were once vital for people鈥檚 survival, today they are more valued for their sporting prowess.

The finest racing camels can fetch huge sums at auction. The value of sales in the preliminary round of the 2023 Crown Prince Camel Festival topped SR3 billion.

One of the most expensive camels ever sold was bought by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum in 2008 for more than $2.7 million, the WAM news agency reported.