United Nations, United States | AFP | The United Nations warned Wednesday that fuel supplies needed to run Yemen’s hospital generators and pump clean water will run out in less than three weeks unless the Saudi-led coalition lifts its blockade. The dire forecast came as Yemen battles one of the world’s …
Read More »Lebanon’s ‘detained’ premier to travel to France
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Lebanon’s premier Saad Hariri will travel to France “in the coming days”, a French presidential source said Wednesday, after Beirut accused Saudi Arabia of detaining him following his shock resignation. International pressure has been mounting for Hariri to return to Beirut after his prolonged stay …
Read More »Resigned Lebanon PM says free to move in Saudi, to return home ‘soon’
Beirut, Lebanon | AFP | Saad Hariri, whose resignation as Lebanon’s prime minister a week ago sent shock waves across the region, said Sunday he is “free” in Saudi Arabia and will return to Lebanon “very soon”. In an interview from Riyadh with his party’s Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours …
Read More »As Iran-Saudi ‘Cold War’ heats up, what next?
Tehran, Iran | AFP | From a Yemeni missile attack to the resignation of Lebanon’s prime minister, the “Cold War” between Middle East rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran has been heating up. Experts believe the risk of a direct military clash is low, but why have tensions escalated now and how …
Read More »Lebanon’s Hezbollah accuses Saudi of detaining Hariri
Beirut, Lebanon | AFP | Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of detaining prime minister Saad Hariri and of asking the Shiite movement’s arch-foe Israel to launch strikes. Hariri’s sudden resignation on November 4 in a statement made from Riyadh took the Lebanese political class …
Read More »Saudi royal purge: the big names
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia has arrested 11 princes, four sitting ministers and dozens of former ministers, in what authorities hailed as a decisive anti-corruption sweep. Separately, key security chiefs were replaced in high-profile sackings. Here are some of the high-profile names swept up in the purge: Prince …
Read More »Saudi Arabia arrests princes, ex-ministers: report
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s newly formed anti-corruption commission arrested 10 princes and dozens of former government ministers on Saturday, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported, citing unnamed sources. The arrests came soon after the commission, headed by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was established by royal …
Read More »Saudi Arabia to begin issuing tourist visas
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia plans to start issuing tourist visas “soon”, authorities said Tuesday, as the ultra-conservative kingdom seeks to attract international visitors in a radical overhaul of its oil-dependent economy. Tourism is seen as a major driver of growth as the kingdom attempts to wean itself …
Read More »Saudis to open sports stadiums to women in reform push
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia will allow women into sports stadiums for the first time from next year, authorities said Sunday, in a landmark move opening up three previously male-only venues to families. The ultra-conservative kingdom, which has some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, has long …
Read More »Saudi king, Putin clinch billion-dollar energy, arms deals on landmark Russia visit
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, on a landmark visit to Russia, and President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a slew of arms and energy deals as the key US ally seeks to deepen cooperation with Moscow. The leaders of the world’s largest energy exporters discussed an extension …
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