Latest news with #Faisal
Business Recorder
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Syria for economic talks
DAMASCUS: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Damascus on Saturday with an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria's war-ravaged economy, authorities said. Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important regional supporters of Syria's new authorities, who took over after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Prince Faisal, who is 'heading a high-level delegation', on arrival at Damascus airport, a Syria foreign ministry statement said. New US envoy to Syria in Damascus: state media The pair were scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon. A Saudi foreign ministry statement said Prince Faisal would meet with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and 'the high-level economic delegation' would hold talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating 'that contribute to supporting Syria's economy and strengthen institution building'. In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president. Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totalling roughly $15 million. Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community. Years of war and sanctions have battered the country's economy, infrastructure and industry. A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria's 'lost GDP' during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion. Prince Faisal first visited Syria's new authorities in January.
Nahar Net
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Saudi FM to make landmark visit to occupied West Bank
by Naharnet Newsdesk 31 May 2025, 10:57 Prince Faisal bin Farhan will become the first Saudi foreign minister to visit the occupied West Bank on Sunday, a diplomatic source told AFP, as the Gaza war drags on and Riyadh pushes for Palestinian statehood. The Saudi top diplomat will lead a delegation to Ramallah, a Palestinian embassy source said, the first such trip since Israel first occupied the Palestinian territory in 1967. Prince Faisal's trip was revealed as Israel vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank, after doubling down on plans to expand settlements there. "A ministerial delegation led by the minister of foreign affairs will go to Ramallah on Sunday," the embassy source told AFP. Saudi Arabia sent a lower-level delegation to Ramallah in September 2023, its first since 1967, not long before Hamas' October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war. International backlash has been growing since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza in March, with a humanitarian crisis spiraling and the U.N. warning of famine throughout the territory. Next month, Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair an international conference meant to resurrect the two-state solution at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nearly 150 countries recognize the State of Palestine, which has observer status at the U.N. but is not a full member as the Security Council has not voted to admit it. In May 2024, Ireland, Norway and Spain took the step of recognizing a Palestinian state, but other European governments, including France, have not. President Emmanuel Macron said in April that France could recognize a Palestinian state in June. Macron said at the time that he wished to organize the New York conference to encourage recognition of the State of Palestine, "but also a recognition of Israel from states that currently do not". Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam's holiest sites and the world's biggest oil exporter, was said to be close to recognizing Israel before the start of the Gaza war. U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to Riyadh this month, called Saudi normalization with Israel "my fervent hope and wish, and even my dream". "You'll do it in your own time, and that's what I want, that's what you want," he said. Last September, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated clearly that Saudi Arabia would not recognize Israel without an independent Palestinian state. This position was reaffirmed in November at a joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit where Israel was accused of "genocide" in Gaza. On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the occupied West Bank, a day after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements there.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Saudi FM to make landmark visit to occupied West Bank
Prince Faisal bin Farhan will become the first Saudi foreign minister to visit the occupied West Bank on Sunday, a diplomatic source told AFP, as the Gaza war drags on and Riyadh pushes for Palestinian statehood. The Saudi top diplomat will lead a delegation to Ramallah, a Palestinian embassy source said, the first such trip since Israel first occupied the Palestinian territory in 1967. Prince Faisal's trip was revealed as Israel vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank, after doubling down on plans to expand settlements there. "A ministerial delegation led by the minister of foreign affairs will go to Ramallah on Sunday," the embassy source told AFP. Saudi Arabia sent a lower-level delegation to Ramallah in September 2023, its first since 1967, not long before Hamas's October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war. International backlash has been growing since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza in March, with a humanitarian crisis spiralling and the UN warning of famine throughout the territory. Next month, Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair an international conference meant to resurrect the two-state solution at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nearly 150 countries recognise the State of Palestine, which has observer status at the UN but is not a full member as the Security Council has not voted to admit it. In May 2024, Ireland, Norway and Spain took the step of recognising a Palestinian state, but other European governments, including France, have not. President Emmanuel Macron said in April that France could recognise a Palestinian state in June. Macron said at the time that he wished to organise the New York conference to encourage recognition of the State of Palestine, "but also a recognition of Israel from states that currently do not". Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam's holiest sites and the world's biggest oil exporter, was said to be close to recognising Israel before the start of the Gaza war. US President Donald Trump, during a visit to Riyadh this month, called Saudi normalisation with Israel "my fervent hope and wish, and even my dream". "You'll do it in your own time, and that's what I want, that's what you want," he said. Last September, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated clearly that Saudi Arabia would not recognise Israel without an independent Palestinian state. This position was reaffirmed in November at a joint Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit where Israel was accused of "genocide" in Gaza. On Friday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the occupied West Bank, a day after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements there.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Harimau Malaya fight back to hold Cape Verde 1-1
KUALA LUMPUR: A spirited second-half display saw Malaysia hold their own against a technically superior Cape Verde side, securing a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Cheras Football Stadium on Thursday (May 29). Despite being ranked 131st in the world, Harimau Malaya showed grit and attacking intent to match 72nd-ranked Cape Verde in a contest that tested their composure and resilience. Head coach Peter Cklamovski handed debuts to Gabriel Palmero and Ubaidullah Samsul Fazili, and both impressed on their first international outing. Palmero, in particular, nearly capped his debut with a stunning solo effort, surging forward nearly 30m before his shot grazed the outside of the post, leaving Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias rooted. The visitors, however, drew first blood in the 29th minute. A flowing move saw captain Ryan Mendes slip in Sidney Cabral on the right, and the 22-year-old Viktoria Koln wingback executed a clever feint to beat Daniel Ting before rifling a right-footed strike past Ahmad Syihan Hazmi. Cape Verde's crisp passing and fluid movement underlined their quality but Malaysia responded with plenty of enterprise. Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi was lively on the flanks and fashioned three chances, all denied by the alert Dias. Midfielder Nazmi Faiz Mansor tried to catch Dias off guard in the 37th minute with a cheeky curling effort after a layoff from Faisal Halim, but it drifted wide. After the break, Malaysia turned up the heat. With Faisal and Arif dictating the tempo, the home side carved out several chances. In the 60th minute, Faisal's low drive was spilled by Dias but no one was on hand to convert the rebound. Moments later, Arif whipped in a dangerous cross that flashed across the face of the goal, evading everyone with Dias stranded. The deserved equaliser finally came in the 78th minute. Substitute Quentin Cheng pounced on a defensive clearance and teed up striker Paulo Josue, who calmly slotted the ball home. The goal was extra special for the naturalised Brazilian, who scored at the home ground of his club, Kuala Lumpur City. Josue nearly grabbed a brace in the 85th minute, but his powerful left-footed attempt off a Stuart Wilkin pass was brilliantly saved by Dias. Malaysia will face Cape Verde again at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 3. The game will be held behind closed doors.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Massive Search Underway As 9-Year-Old Saudi Boy Swept Away In Turkey's Haldezin River
Search operations are underway in northern Turkey for a 9-year-old Saudi boy, Faisal, who was swept away by the fast-moving Haldezin River in the Çaykara region of Trabzon while on vacation with his family. The incident occurred two days ago, prompting an immediate large-scale search operation involving around 200 emergency responders. Turkish authorities, led by the Governor of Trabzon, are closely monitoring the situation despite challenging conditions caused by the river's strong currents. Rescue teams remain on high alert and are working tirelessly around the clock in hopes of locating the missing child. Authorities continue to coordinate efforts across multiple agencies to ensure the swiftest possible response under the difficult circumstances.
