Taif governor receives Two Holy Mosques chief
TAIF: Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud, the governor of Taif, on Thursday received Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.
Prince Saud welcomed the attendees and praised the efforts exerted to serve visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque according to the directives of the Kingdom's leadership.
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Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Taif governor receives Two Holy Mosques chief
TAIF: Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud, the governor of Taif, on Thursday received Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. Prince Saud welcomed the attendees and praised the efforts exerted to serve visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque according to the directives of the Kingdom's leadership.
Arab News
20 hours ago
- Arab News
OPEC+ has proven to be oil market's central bank, says Saudi energy minister
RIYADH: OPEC+ has proven to be the 'central bank' and regulator of the global oil market, providing much-needed stability, Saudi Arabia's energy minister said. Speaking at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman praised the alliance's role in balancing oil markets amid global economic uncertainties. 'I would have to say that OPEC+ had proven to be an instrument that if it wasn't invented by us and Russia and our colleagues, it should have been invented a long time ago because this is what OPEC+ had achieved in terms of bringing stability to the market and had proven that it is the central bank and the regulator of oil markets,' the energy minister said. Prince Abdulaziz also highlighted the ongoing partnership between Saudi Arabia and Russia through the Saudi-Russian Joint Committee, noting plans for Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to visit the Kingdom later this year with a high-level business delegation. 'I'm looking forward to host Alexander — the co-chair of our joint committee — to Saudi Arabia this year, with the biggest, most sizable business community participation,' he said. Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that the collaboration seeks to deepen bilateral economic ties and foster diversified investment opportunities. 'We have a lot to showcase that bonding together. It will allow us to have a much more diversified relationship, and we are, as a government, working together to provide the right environment for those who want to invest in Saudi Arabia or in Russia or in any type or form of joint venturing that we should facilitate that and ensure that the investment environment is congenial for it to happen,' he added. The minister described the energy alliance as a flexible mechanism responsive to changing global conditions, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to cooperation with partners to maintain market stability. Acknowledging the challenges facing Russia, Prince Abdulaziz noted the Kingdom's support amid external restrictions. 'It's been a challenging time what Russia is going through, but we have shown a great deal of understanding of the situation, and we're trying to maneuver with the restrictions that are existing today,' he said. 'That has been the discharge of our leadership willingness to accommodate with this current situation and hopefully helping to support Russia in mitigating these exterior most daunting issues.' On whether Saudi Arabia and Russia would compensate for any loss of Iranian crude supplies, the minister stressed that such scenarios are hypothetical and that OPEC+ decisions are collective. 'You give me a question that is not evidently seen happening, I don't have an answer for you. Again, we only react to realities. But if anybody gives a question that is not relating to the reality today, I fail to see where we could predict things and how we would relate to it,' he said. The minister clarified that OPEC+ consists of 22 member states and is not dominated by Saudi Arabia and Russia alone. A core group of eight countries is tasked with engaging the full membership to ensure coordinated responses to market changes. 'To respond to a hypothetical question by giving a hypothetical answer, which none of us two here have the right to speak on behalf of everybody without knowing their opinion, is too much of an ask,' he added. He concluded by highlighting OPEC+'s reputation as a reliable and adaptive organization. 'What we know and what Alexander was saying just a while ago is that we have, as OPEC even before, an OPEC+ attending to so many circumstances since its first, it was in sequence, even inception, that we have been a reliable organization, a serious organization, an effective organization, and attentive to circumstances when they prevail,' he said.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
UK projects power in Middle East while maintaining neutrality
Since last Friday, the hostilities between Israel and Iran have intensified, with both sides locked in continuous attacks. In response to this growing instability, the UK moved quickly to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional Royal Air Force jets, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers. This precautionary measure is part of London's efforts to safeguard its interests and protect its personnel, particularly after Iran threatened to target Western bases should the UK, US or France intervene in its operations against Israel. The UK has long maintained a significant military footprint in the Middle East. Permanent bases include a naval support facility in Bahrain, the Duqm logistics base and Al-Musannah airbase in Oman and Al-Minhad airbase in the UAE, as well as RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus. These constitute strategic hubs that support operations across the region. This presence has significant economic rationale as, since 2010, approximately 60 percent of UK arms exports have gone to the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia being the largest buyer. Trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council states is currently valued at £57 billion ($76 billion) annually, with more than £5 billion of that attributed to defense exports. These exports include fighter jets, military equipment and arms. Gulf countries have shown strong interest in the UK's Typhoon program in particular. Oman, for instance, has received 12 Typhoons and eight Hawk Mk 166 advanced jet trainers. In 2018, Qatar placed a £5 billion order for 24 Typhoons, with an additional 12 jets recently requested. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has already acquired 72 Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK and has been in negotiations for 48 more for several years. The Middle East is identified as a priority area in the UK's recently published strategic defense review Zaid M. Belbagi This flourishing defense cooperation reflects the UK's strategic commitment to the region. The Middle East is identified as a priority area in the UK's recently published strategic defense review, which outlines plans to deepen security ties, expand defense trade and develop long-term technology and capability partnerships that also foster economic growth. The UK's permanent presence in the region stands as a clear signal of its long-term commitment. Its decision last December to join the US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement further deepens its role as a pivotal security partner in the Middle East. Moreover, British forces continue to contribute significantly to regional stability. The Royal Navy has helped secure vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea against Houthi threats and, through Operation Shader, the UK remains actively engaged in the international coalition against Daesh. On the other hand, the Middle East, particularly the Gulf countries, have provided the UK with vital access and basing rights, enabling it to continue to support international security operations and uphold freedom of navigation. These elements are crucial for ensuring domestic energy security, protecting global seaborne trade routes and projecting UK power internationally. However, amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, marked by ongoing missile and airstrike exchanges, the UK is adopting a precautionary approach to safeguard its military assets in the region. The aim is clear: to prevent any harm to its forces while the situation remains volatile. The UK is transitioning toward a more integrated security role in the region, beyond mere deterrence Zaid M. Belbagi This preventive posture reflects the UK's broader stance on the conflict. On Saturday, following a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament to outline Britain's diplomatic and military position in the unfolding crisis. He reaffirmed that, in moments of such tension, the government's top priority remains the safety and welfare of British nationals. Looking ahead, this carefully maintained neutrality may come under pressure. As outlined in the 2025 strategic defense review, the UK's defense and military cooperation with the Middle East continues to expand, with flourishing partnerships across the Gulf, especially in Bahrain, the UK's longest-standing security partner in the region. This deepening engagement could, over time, create friction or disagreements with Israel, especially as attacks continue and the regional crisis deepens. With the British involvement in US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement and growing coordination with Washington and Gulf partners, the UK is transitioning toward a more integrated security role in the region, beyond mere deterrence. The UK now stands at a critical juncture, where safeguarding its military footprint must align with its carefully crafted neutrality. The decisions made in the coming months will not just decide the future of its alliances and presence in the Middle East, they could also redefine Britain's very place on the global defense stage.
