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RIYADH: The new British ambassador to �������� Stephen Hitchen has now formally started his role, the UK’s embassy in Riyadh announced on Tuesday.

He has moved to �������� with his family and succeeds Neil Crompton who completed his tenure in July.

On his arrival in the Saudi capital, Hitchen commented: “My appointment as British ambassador to �������� is the greatest honor of my life. Our two kingdoms have enjoyed a long friendship, and we both have proud histories and high ambitions for the future.”

“My family and I have already enjoyed the famous Saudi hospitality, and we look forward to exploring your beautiful mountains, desert, towns and cities,” the ambassador added.

He brings extensive Middle East experience to the role, having previously served as the British ambassador to Iraq from 2023 to 2025, and as Director for Middle East and North Africa (National Security) within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office from 2016 to 2019.

His career has included postings across the region, including Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt, along with specialist roles focusing on Iran and counter-terrorism.

RIYADH: A Date Diplomacy initiative has been introduced to boost cooperation around date cultivation between �������� — specifically the central Qassim region — and other countries.

The program was announced during the Buraidah Dates Carnival, which started earlier this month and runs until mid-October.

It will introduce ambassadors visiting diplomatic missions to the carnival, raising awareness of the cultural, economic and heritage activities taking place. Ambassadors will be invited to visit date farms and receive date-related gifts.

The initiative also aims to strengthen relations between the member states of the Riyadh-based International Dates Council, which includes ��������, the UAE, Tunisia, Sudan, Mauritania, Yemen, Oman, Palestine, Somalia and Lebanon. It is being run by the Emirate of Qassim Region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Center for Palms and Dates.

The Buraidah Dates Carnival features a wide range of events, programs and exhibitions, highlighting more than 100 varieties of the fruit produced in the central Qassim region, known as the breadbasket of the Kingdom.

It is the largest event of its kind, with more than SR3.2 billion ($853 million) worth of dates sold last year.

Hundreds of tonnes have already been sold this year, chiefly the popular Sukkari variety. Khalas, Suqai, Wannana, Barhi, Shaqra, Medjool, Hoshaniyya and other types are also in high demand.