Saudi deputy foreign minister receives Russia's envoy in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Russian Ambassador Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The pair discussed relations between their countries and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
Also on Wednesday, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki met Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya in Islamabad, the diplomat wrote on X.
They discussed the importance of digital transformation and other topics of interest.
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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Lebanon embraces digital transformation as key to reform and recovery
BEIRUT: Lebanon has pledged to pursue comprehensive digital transformation, with President Joseph Aoun framing it as the nation's best hope to tackle corruption, moderne governance, and engage its skilled diaspora in rebuilding efforts. Speaking at the 'Smart Government, Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference in Beirut on June 3, Aoun described the initiative as a 'sovereign decision to build a better future.' The event, organized by the Lebanese Executives Council, aimed to connect Lebanon's global talent pool with efforts to revitalize both public and private sectors. The conference's core themes included smart governance, public sector reform, and private sector collaboration, all driven by digital innovation. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon must abandon outdated and corrupt administrative structures in favor of efficient, transparent systems. 'Digital transformation is not a technical choice. Digitalization is not just a government project; it is a national project.' He also announced Lebanon's application to join the Digital Cooperation Organization, a global body founded in 2020 to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy. Aoun criticized systemic corruption that forces citizens to navigate bureaucracy through bribery or political favors. He highlighted the need for a government that serves all Lebanese equally, free from sectarian or partisan influences. 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and to be eligible for foreign investments. This goal is an absolute necessity, indispensable and unavoidable,' Aoun said. 'The time has come for them (the diaspora) to achieve it for their homeland and in their homeland.' The day-long conference brought together ministers, private sector leaders, and diaspora experts for panel discussions on digitizing Lebanon's institutions. Topics included the creation of a national digital ID, policy harmonization, and leveraging technology to reconstruct public services. In an interview with Arab News, LEC President Rabih El-Amine highlighted the importance of engaging the Lebanese diaspora. 'We know by fact that diaspora is willing to help, but they don't have the medium to offer this help, and we know by fact that the government needs this help, but they don't know how to reach the diaspora,' he said. El-Amine stressed that despite weak governance, Lebanon's private sector and diaspora have helped sustain the country. However, implementing modern laws and digital systems is now critical. He called the digital ID system a foundational step toward enabling services like passport renewals and license issuance. 'This is probably the starting point. But I think the biggest challenge for us is how we can make the government and the parliament work together in order to issue modern laws for this system to take place,' he added. Hajar El-Haddaoui, director general of the DCO, expressed strong confidence in Lebanon's digital potential, citing the country's talent pool and expansive diaspora. 'We trust that Lebanon does have all the ingredients to succeed during this digital economy transformation,' she told Arab News. She said the DCO's support will focus on investment, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building, including the Digital Economy Navigator program, which helps countries assess and close gaps in digital readiness. El-Haddaoui underscored the importance of aligned policies, strong infrastructure, and openness to international cooperation. 'Any digital economy or digital transformation needs harmonization of policies. That's really important and critical. Working on a regulation and standard of regulation is really one of the pillars of successful digital transformation,' she said. Fadi Makki, Lebanon's minister of state for administrative development affairs, also spoke at the conference, outlining key reforms to upgrade the country's administrative structures. 'We're far behind in digital readiness. We're trying to catch up through digital transformation, skilling, and reskilling programs,' he said. Makki explained that Lebanon lacks planning and performance monitoring units that are standard in functional governments. He proposed modernizing human resources and encouraging the private sector to deliver services, while the government ensures oversight. 'We don't want to compete with them (the private sector), but at the same time, we want to create opportunities for them while ensuring we provide the necessary oversight like any government,' he said. 'One of the missing functions in government is planning and performance monitoring. We don't have that. So, part of our work is creating these basic units, not just centrally but eventually in every ministry. Without them, we're building on weak foundations,' he added. The event also featured remarks from Lebanese American University's Chaouki Abdallah and panels with Minister of Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadi, along with global figures like Jad Bitar of the Boston Consulting Group. In closing, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked all participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the government's resolve. 'Digital transformation in Lebanon is not a luxury but a necessity and a reform,' he said. 'It directly serves the citizens, reduces corruption, and enhances the quality of life. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth.' Salam called for full inter-ministerial coordination, asserting, 'Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world or on its margins.' He concluded: 'We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon with the chains of knowledge and production in the 21st century.' As Lebanon continues to navigate a complex political and economic crisis, the conference marked a clear call for reform. The message from both domestic and diaspora leaders was unambiguous: digital transformation is not only possible—it is imperative.
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Chief of General Staff inspects readiness of armed forces participating in Hajj operation
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Saudi Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili inspected on Monday the readiness of the Armed Forces units participating in the operation of Hajj 2025. This is in line with the directives of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman as part of efforts by security bodies and government agencies to ensure the security and safety of pilgrims. Al-Ruwaili began his field tour by inspecting the Air Forces group at Arafat Airport. He concluded his field tour by reviewing the participating units at the duty force field at Al-Maghmas, where he was briefed on the approved operational and organizational plans to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during their travels and the performance of their rituals. The Air Force provides advanced air support, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and securing the airspace over the holy sites. The Naval Forces participate in securing seaports, dealing with suspicious materials, and supporting rescue efforts through diving teams, in addition to contributing specialized infantry and drone units. Regarding health services, the Ministry of Defense is implementing an integrated medical plan that includes the operation of 36 health centers with a capacity of more than 1,040 beds, supported by a mission of over 1,790 health and administrative personnel distributed across hospitals and field clinics in the holy sites.
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Ukraine strikes bridge connecting Russia to Crimea with underwater explosives
KYIV — Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had hit the bridge connecting Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula with explosives planted underwater, in its third attack on the vital supply line for Moscow's forces since the full-scale war began in 2022. Ukraine's security service, the SBU, said on Telegram that its agents had mined the piers of the road and rail Crimean Bridge, also called the Kerch Bridge, and detonated the first explosive at 4.44 a.m. Tuesday. The whole operation took several months, it added. The agency said it had used 1,100 kilograms of explosives which 'severely damaged' the underwater pillars supporting the bridge. Russian officials did not immediately respond to Ukraine's claims. Traffic on the bridge has been temporarily suspended, the bridge operator announced on its official Telegram account. Although the scale of the damage was not immediately clear, Tuesday's attack is the latest example of the SBU's attempts to blindside Moscow and demonstrate that there are costs to continuing its war. On Sunday, the SBU launched an audacious drone attack on Moscow's fleet of nuclear-capable bombers, stationed at various Russian airfields thousands of miles away from Ukraine. Vasul Malyuk, the head of the SBU, said that attack caused an estimated $7 billion in damage and had struck 34% of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers, which have been used to pummel Ukrainian cities throughout the war. The SBU said Malyuk had also overseen Tuesday's attack. 'God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always sees things through to the end and never does the same thing twice. We previously struck the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition, this time underwater,' Malyuk said. He stressed that the bridge is a 'completely legitimate target,' since Russia uses it 'as a logistical artery to supply its troops' fighting in mainland Ukraine. As well as serving as a vital supply line for Moscow's troops, the Crimean Bridge also has huge symbolic value for President Vladimir Putin, embodying his objective to bind the Ukrainian peninsula to Russia. Built after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Putin opened the bridge in 2018. The project cost around $3.7 billion. Tuesday's attack marks the third time that Ukraine has targeted the bridge since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. In October of that year, a fuel truck exploded on the bridge, engulfing a part of it in flames. In July 2023, the SBU said it had blown up a part of the bridge using an experimental sea drone. Both times, Russia moved quickly to repair the damaged sections. As well as suspending traffic on the bridge, Russian authorities temporarily halted maritime traffic in the waters off Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, according to state media RIA Novosti. — CNN
