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Mar 14-Mar 20, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 16]~~~~~~~~~

Arab Security Meetings Not For Bolstering Regimes: Naif [Mar 16]
"Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, will attend the Arab Interior Ministers Council this week which will discuss a number of issues related to security in the region. In a statement before leaving for Tunisia, Prince Naif commented on the perception that meetings of the Arab interior ministers aim to bolster the security of political regimes in the region. 'This has been said before unfortunately. But it is untrue. We are holding the 27th meeting and I challenge anyone to come up with one decision concerning the security of the leadership or the security of the political regimes. All decisions taken by the interior ministers concern the security of Arab citizens in all fields and for the development and cooperation of security agencies.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Plans Development Aid to Syria [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia is discussing extending development loans to Syria as ties between the two countries improve but there will not be direct cash assistance, the Saudi central bank governor said on Monday. Diplomatic activity between Damascus and Riyadh picked up in the last months after they agreed to set aside their political differences and lower tension between their allies in Lebanon, which is a recipient of large Saudi cash injections. Ties deteriorated after the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri resulting in the waning of Saudi investment appetite and aid to Syria. 'Syria is one of the most important Arab economies. It’s a promising market to whoever has money to invest,' Muhammad Al-Jasser, head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, said after attending a banking conference in the Syrian capital. 'The Saudi finance minister was in Damascus and talked about this and what the Saudi Fund for Development is doing along with other Saudi government institutions,' he added.."  [more]

Google CEO Sees Bright Saudi Internet Prospects [Mar 16]
"Eric Emerson Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google Inc., said Monday that he was highly impressed by the Saudi economy. He also predicted that the Kingdom would achieve tremendous economic progress and technological advancement in the coming years. Schmidt made this comment during talks with Omar Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Dabbagh said Schmidt came to the Kingdom at the invitation of SAGIA to have a firsthand knowledge of the country's general situation.. ..The Google chief predicted that the Kingdom would have a bright future because of its large young population. He said the Arabic content on the Worldwide Web was expanding by the day. 'The Internet Arabic content will increase further due to the presence of a large Arab population estimated at 300 million,' he said, adding that Saudi Arabia would have a big role to play in expanding Arabic content on the Internet.." [more]

Saudi Warns Charity Scams Could Fund Terror [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia warned its citizens on Monday to be wary of Internet and cellphone scams involving bogus charities that could be aimed at funding terror activities. 'We have noticed lately that there are many announcements that come through mobile messages, through the Internet, through different media, announcing a bank account for people to donate to' for ostensibly legitimate purposes, interior ministry spokesman General Mansour al-Turki told AFP. 'The ministry of interior is very interested in this to make sure the money goes to legitimate causes,' Turki said.. .. The interior ministry said in a statement to the official SPA news agency that it would freeze any bank accounts pending investigation into their legitimacy and their receiving official authorisation.." [more]

OPEC Output May Not Need to Change This Year: Saudi [Mar 16]
"OPEC may not need to adjust output policy this year if the oil market remains stable and the global economy continues to recover, the oil minister of its top producer, Saudi Arabia, said on Monday. 'The economy is doing well, it will do better down the road. I don't see any reason to disturb this happy situation,' Ali al-Naimi told reporters as he arrived for a Wednesday meeting of the group that looks set to keep a lid on output. 'The market is in balance, the price is great, inventories are coming down so why should we do anything?' he said. Pressed on whether OPEC needed to change its current output ceiling later this year, Naimi said: 'That remains to be seen, if it stays like the way it is, no.'.. ..'I expect prices to hold pretty well until the end of this year despite the surplus in supply,' he told reporters. Naimi, who has said $70-80 per barrel was a fair price for consumers and producers alike, said he was happy with current levels around $80.." [more]

Israel Killing Peace Hopes: Kingdom [Mar 16]
"The Council of Ministers on Monday denounced the Israeli government's decision to construct 1,600 new housing units for Jews in occupied Jerusalem and 112 units in the West Bank. In a statement issued after the weekly meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Cabinet urged the international community to stop Israel's provocations. The Kingdom also warned that Israel's settlement expansion policy and its siege of the Palestinian people would destroy hopes for peace. 'Israel's intensive settlement expansion policy aims at changing the demography of the Palestinian territories,' the Cabinet said.." [more]

Kingdom to be Part of Global Sugar Body [Mar 16]
"Following detailed discussions on a report presented by its Committee on Economic Affairs, the Shoura Council approved on Monday the Kingdom’s accession to the International Sugar Organization.. ..The International Sugar Organization administers the internationally negotiated 1992 International Sugar Agreement to ensure enhanced international cooperation in connection with world sugar matters and related issues and to provide a forum for intergovernmental consultations on sugar and on ways to improve the world sugar economy. It also facilitates trade by collecting and providing information on the world sugar market and other sweeteners and to encourage increased demand for sugar, particularly for nontraditional uses.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 15]~~~~~~~~~

Ganic Arrest Figures in Silajdzic Talks [Mar 15]
"Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic briefed Saudi leaders here on Sunday about the growing political tension in Bosnia, including the circumstances that led to the arrest of Former Bosnian President Ejup Ganic in London on March 1. The talks covered a range of international issues with added emphasis on stability in Bosnia, bilateral ties and the need to boost Saudi investment in that country. During his one-day visit to Riyadh, Silajdzic was received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, at Al-Yamamah Palace.  The Bosnian president also called on Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, who has been playing a major role in extending aid to Bosnia. 'Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who separately called on Silajdzic, discussed with the visiting president a range of bilateral issues including Ganic's arrest for alleged war crimes,'.." [more]

Shuaa's Saudi Unit in $130 mln Hotel Land Deal [Mar 15]
"Shuua Capital's SHUA.DU Saudi Arabian unit said its hospitality fund had bought land in Jeddah for a hotel development worth more than $130 million, the first ever land acquisition by a hospitality fund in the kingdom. The fund, worth over $500 million, is tapping growing demand for hotels in the world's largest oil exporter and will build a luxury project in the Red Sea city worth 500 million riyals ($133.3 million), Shuaa Capital Saudi Arabia said. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing a sustained boom in business and leisure travel and the Shuaa Saudi Hospitality Fund is in an excellent position to benefit from that,' the firm's chief executive, Omar al-Jaroudi, said. An increasing number of Gulf firms have recently announced funds to tap opportunities in the kingdom's property sector.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Pulls Ernst & Young's Securities License [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority, or CMA, said Sunday it revoked the securities-business license of Ernst & Young because of "several violations" of the kingdom's capital market law and implementing regulations, Zawya Dow Jones reported.  Ernst & Young Saudi Arabia Consulting was given a license to arrange and advise on activities in the securities business in the Arab world's largest economy in May 2006, CMA said in a statement posted on the Saudi bourse Web site. Ernst & Young wasn't immediately available for comment. In recent months, the oil-rich kingdom's market regulator has asserted more control over the stock market, the Persian Gulf's best performer this year so far, in an effort to stamp out manipulative and speculative trading and attract more stable institutional and foreign investors.." [more]

Huge Tourist Group Expected Next Week [Mar 15]
"A large tourist delegation comprising 1,080 men and women from 18 countries will visit Jeddah next week, Khatar Chaaya, general manager of Alireza Travel & Tours, said on Sunday. He said his company is bringing foreign tourists into the Kingdom in coordination with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) for the first time. 'This is the largest tourist group to visit the Kingdom so far,' said Chaaya, adding that the group will arrive in Jeddah on March 23 and that Al-Jazirah Company will transport them to various destinations in the Kingdom.. ..The group will include people speaking different languages, including French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.." [more]

360 to Lose Jobs Over Saudi Floods [Mar 15]
"As many as 360 Saudi and foreign officials holding key posts at the Jeddah Mayoralty will be terminated within a few weeks. The mayoralty has received orders from the Control and Investigation Bureau in this regard, according to official sources. This disciplinary action follows completion of an investigation into the flood disaster that struck eastern and southern districts of Jeddah on November 25 and claimed more than 120 lives. Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal, who headed a high-level committee to investigate the causes behind the disaster, presented the report to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on March 5. As a follow up of the investigation, the authorities have started taking drastic measures to restructure the mayoralty and take disciplinary action against those found guilty of turning the flash floods into a catastrophe.." [more]

Kingdom to Launch Index Funds For Foreigners [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia plans to launch stock market index funds accessible to foreigners by the end of March in a bid to open up the Arab world’s biggest bourse.. ..In 2008 the word’s top oil exporter and OPEC member allowed swap agreements between non-resident foreign investors and local intermediaries, permitting indirect foreign ownership on the bourse. Previously foreigners could invest in the Saudi stock market only through selected funds. But large international investors such as pension funds have held off investment on a large scale, pending further steps to allow entry into the market and awaiting full ownership. Tuwaijri hinted Sunday that direct foreign investments were not being considered at present, as risky 'hot' money would flow in.." [more]

Oilfield Services Firms Bid for Khafji Drilling Work [Mar 15]
"Major oilfield service companies have submitted bids for drilling and other work at the Khafji field that Saudi Arabia shares with Kuwait, industry sources said on Monday. Halliburton Co (HAL.N), Baker Hughes Inc (BHI.N), Weatherford International Ltd (WFT.N) and Schlumberger (SLB.N) bid for the deal, which has a value estimated at around $300 million, he added. The contract, which was held by Schlumberger Ltd since 2005, expired last year but had been renewed by one year to May this year.. ..Khafji, which is in the Neutral Zone between the two OPEC members, has oil production capacity of around 550,000 bpd. Both countries plan to boost capacity in the zone to 700,000-900,000 bpd by 2030. The al-Khafji Joint Operations Co is split between Aramco Gulf Operations, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, and state-owned Kuwait Gulf Oil Co.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 14]~~~~~~~~~

Ex-Gitmo Inmates Get Suspended Jail Terms [Mar 14]
"A court gave suspended prison sentences to 10 former Saudi Guantanamo detainees who had completed a rehabilitation program, Al-Hayat newspaper reported Saturday. The men, who were returned to the Kingdom in 2008 and 2009 after serving time at the US military detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, received sentences of three to 13 years in a ruling Thursday, the paper said. They were also ordered to remain inside the country for five years, the report said. Returnees from Guantanamo are routinely tried and given prison sentences by Saudi courts which are then suspended based on their already having passed time in US custody.. ..Out of 123 Saudis returned from Guantanamo, 111 have passed through the program, nine came before it was created, and three are currently in it.." [more]

Kuwaitis, Saudis to Use ID to Travel Between the Two Countries [Mar 14]
"Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian citizens will be able to travel between the two countries using their identity cards instead of passports, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council has said. 'The two countries have completed all the measures to enable their citizens to move between the two countries using smart ID cards,' Abdul Rahman Al Atiyyah was quoted as saying by Kuwaiti daily Arrouiah on Sunday. The Gulf Arab states had established a customs union in 2003, but had decided in 2005 to delay its full implementation for two years to the end of 2007. 'With this agreement, all GCC countries have realised their plan to have their citizens use only IDs to travel around the Council,' he said. Under an agreement reached by the six GCC countries, their citizens are allowed to travel freely in the council and are entitled to receive the same benefits as nationals of the country where they apply for a job.." [more]

UAE, Saudi Compliance Levels Highest in Opec [Mar 14]
"The UAE and Saudi Arabia, together with 98 per cent compliance to the output curbs previously announced by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), have the highest compliance level among Opec members, while Angola and Nigeria aren't complying at all with the curb on quotas, the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show. According to the data, 11 Opec members having quotas (Iraq doesn't have an output quota), on average, pumped 26.70 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) in February, less than their sustainable output capacity of 32.95 million bpd. The average compliance by Opec members to the output curbs stood at 56 per cent last month, the data revealed.." [more]

Saudi to Set Up Index Fund for Foreigners [Mar 14]
"The head of Saudi Arabia's market regulatory agency says the country will launch a stock market index fund by the end of March into which foreigners can invest. Capital Market Authority head Abdulrahman al-Tuwaijri, in comments published in Sunday's edition of al-Eqtisadiyah newspaper, that despite the move, Saudi Arabia is still reluctant to allow direct foreign investments in the exchange. Foreigners are currently able to invest in the exchange -- the Arab world's largest -- through swap agreements, but are barred from direct ownership. Analysts say the new fund marks a gradual, but clear, step toward opening the Saudi market to foreign investments.." [more]

Global Investors Explore Kingdom for Opportunities [Mar 14]
"A group of some of the world's most prestigious and financially powerful institutional investors were in Riyadh on Saturday to meet government, finance, and industrial leaders in the Kingdom. The US-Saudi Arabian Business Council (USSABC) sponsored the 30-member group, which is part of the Russell 20-20 Association. The members will be in Jeddah on Sunday to meet Saudi entrepreneurs in the Western Province. The delegates also had discussions with SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency) Gov. Muhammed Al-Jasser Saturday before their meeting with the Saudi businessmen. Russell 20-20 members include executives from global pension funds, endowments, foundations, and investment management organizations who together represent approximately $8 trillion in investment capital.." [more]

Kashmiris Seek Saudi Mediation [Mar 14]
"Kashmiris are urging Saudi Arabia to use its recent rapprochement with India to help advance their cause and solve the decades-long conflict. 'The Kingdom has a history of playing positive role in disputes, such as Afghanistan and Palestine,' Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of 15 pro-independence groups in Kashmir, told the Saudi English-speaking daily Arab News on Sunday, March 14. 'Kashmiris would be more than happy if the Kingdom mediated on our behalf.' Farooq said a delegation of Kashmiri leaders will visit Saudi Arabia within a month and hold talks with officials to seek their help. The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.." [more]

Mar 7-Mar 13, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 13]~~~~~~~~~

Yemen Confiscates Arab Broadcasters’ Equipment [Mar 13]
"Two pan-Arab news channels said Friday the Yemeni authorities had seized broadcasting equipment from their Sana’a bureaux by force because of their coverage of the growing unrest in Yemen’s south. A government official told state media that Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television and the Saudi-owned channel Al-Arabiya did not have proper authorization for the equipment seized, and that it would be returned to them eventually.. ..Al-Arabiya also reported that some of its broadcasting equipment had been confiscated by police Thursday. Its bureau chief was questioned for two hours but then released, Nasser Al-Sarami, head of media at Al-Arabiya told Reuters. 'They are concerned about the way we cover what is going on in the south. They didn’t give us a reason, but we believe this is the link,' Sarami said.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Lifts Ban on Pakistan Seafood [Mar 13]
"Adviser to Sindh CM Sharmila Faruqui said that Saudi Arabia lifted a ban from import of Pakistani seafood. Talking to a delegation of seafood exporters at her Sindh Secretariat Office on Friday, she maintained that matters related to export of Pakistani seafood had been finalized with Saudi government officials and Pakistan waters fish and other marine products were being exported to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.." [more]

UK Education Group Launches in Saudi [Mar 13]
"LSN, a leading UK education organisation, is launching operations in Saudi Arabia, offering a comprehensive range of services to build a world class vocational education system in the Kingdom, a statement said. Working with local partners, LSN plans to offer leadership and management courses for education leaders and training programmes to help teachers and trainers improve their skills. It will also offer its expertise in curriculum and qualification design. Initially, LSN’s focus will be on vocational education in Saudi Arabia, including offering support designed to help Saudi Arabia realise its ambition to establish world-class science and mathematics education system.." [more]

Dar Al-Arkan Redeems $600 Million Debut Sukuk [Mar 13]
"Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company, a top Saudi property developer, said it has successfully redeemed its inaugural $600 million Sukuk issued in March 2007. The repayment was made on schedule, the company said in a statement.. ..'The overwhelming response we received from the international financial community when we launched this Sukuk represented a vote of confidence not only in Dar Al-Arkan but also in the Saudi economy. We are committed to maintaining our leading role in providing affordable housing solutions that meet international standards to middle income families across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' he added.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 12]~~~~~~~~~

OPEC to Keep Quota Unchanged With Oil Above $80 [Mar 12]
"The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will uphold its target of 24.845 million barrels a day when it meets in Vienna on March 17, according to 42 of 44 analysts surveyed this week. Shokri Ghanem, chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corp. said on March 9 that 'no new decision is expected,' while Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said in January that oil between $70 and $80 is 'almost perfect.' The producer group is unlikely to reduce quotas that it set at the end of 2008 as long as members are pumping more than the agreed limits, nor raise them without stronger signs that demand will keep improving, the analysts said. Oil inventories have risen again this year, after being whittled down in 2009 by OPEC’s record production cuts. 'OPEC is pretty satisfied with how stable the price is,'.."  [more]

Princess Sheikha Al-Faisal Dies [Mar 12]
"Princess Sheikha bint Abdul Rahman Al-Faisal died at 95 on Thursday following a prolonged illness. Funeral prayers for the princess are scheduled at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh on Friday after Asr prayers, a Royal Court announcement said.." [more]

Saudi Offers Airport Projects Worth $4.5 Billion [Mar 12]
"Top OPEC oil exporter Saudi Arabia is planning to launch tenders worth more than 17 billion riyals ($4.5 billion) this year to modernize two airports in the Gulf Arab state, an official said. Traffic at Saudi airports has reached 30 million passengers annually and is expected to double to 60 million over the next 10 years, said Alaa Samman, director of business development at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). In order to cater for this growth, the government wants to launch projects costing at least 55 billion riyals to overhaul airports to be completed over the next 20 years, he added.
For this year alone, GACA wants to launch tenders to build a new airport in the holy Muslim city of Medina and a commercial center near Jeddah airport.."  [more]

Female Writers and Journalists Voice Concerns to Minister [Mar 12]
"An audience of over 300 Saudi female writers and journalists entered into a heated discussion with Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja over the weekend on the sidelines of the International Book Fair in Riyadh, demanding more female presence in his ministry and in Saudi media. The minister responded to questions and comments from 13 women during the open meeting. 'What I see in Saudi TV and radio is an abundance of working women who are qualified to help build a positive society through cultural contribution,' the minister said responding to a question about the female presence in the Ministry by A’la Al-Majhid. But the Ministry of Culture and Information has not yet rewarded women with high-level positions.." [more]

Negotiations Only Option For Hijacked Saudi Vessel [Mar 12]
"The owner of the hijacked Saudi ship for which Somali pirates are demanding a ransom of $20 million has said that it was the vessel’s insurance company that received the ransom demand and that he himself had engaged in no direct contact with the pirates. 'All contact has gone through the Saudi insurance company via its head office in Jeddah, and the negotiation process is continuing for want of any other solution,' said Kamal Muhammed Al-Urri, owner of the Al-Nisr Al-Saudi vessel.  'The priority at the moment is the safety of the crew of 13 Sri Lankans and their Greek captain. The hijackers have allowed them to speak to their families by satellite phone, and they assured them that they were in good health despite the distressing situation,' Al-Urri said. Al-Urri said he hoped to see international action to confront piracy on the high seas which, he said, was raising insurance premiums.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 11]~~~~~~~~~

Gates Seeks Saudi Help for Action Against Iran [Mar 11]
"US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Saudi leaders Wednesday that the US effort for diplomatic engagement with Iran had come to naught and he asked for the Kingdom’s help to win wide backing for biting economic penalties against Tehran. The offer of talks with Iran to resolve doubts about the intent of its nuclear program remains on the table, US officials said, but the United States has moved away from making outreach to Iran the primary goal. 'We are certainly hopeful that the Saudis will use whatever influence they have, which is considerable, in this region and throughout the world to try to help us in our efforts at the UN so that we can get meaningful sanctions enacted against Iran,'.. ..Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Foreign Minister, has expressed doubts about the usefulness of more sanctions on Iran, saying the world needs a quicker and more direct approach. 'We see the issue in the shorter term because we are closer to the threat,' Prince Saud said when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the Saudi capital last month. 'We need immediate resolution rather than gradual resolution.'.." [more]

Prince Khaled in Paris to Open Conference on Saudi-French Ties [Mar 11]
"Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal arrived in Paris on Wednesday for an official visit at the invitation of President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher. He was welcomed on arrival by a number of officials, including the French Consul General in Jeddah, Christian Nakhlé. The prince is to open a conference on Thursday in the Senate on Saudi-French relations.. ..The president of the Senate is the second highest official in the French republic and replaces the president if the latter dies in office or is deemed incapable to carry out his functions.." [more]

Kingdom's Inflation Rate Surges to 4.6% [Mar 11]
"Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate surged to 4.6 percent in February, its highest level since June and up from 4.1 percent in January, official data showed on Wednesday. The cost of living index rose by 4.6 percent in February as a result of a rise in prices in six major categories, the General Statistics Department at the Ministry of Economy and Planning said.  It said the prices of rent, fuel and water rose by 10.6 percent; services 5.8 percent; food and beverages 4.0 percent; house furniture 3.0 percent; education and recreation 1.1 percent and health care 0.1 percent. The department also noted that prices of clothing, textiles and shoes went down by 0.3 percent and transport and communications 0.2 percent. The quarterly inflation rate in the Saudi economy continued its upward trend over the last two quarters of 2009.." [more]

Georgian Woman to Become First Female Ambassador to Saudi Arabia [Mar 11]
"A Georgian woman is set to become the first ever female ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a Kuwaiti daily said on Thursday.  Yekaterina Mayering-Mikadze, the current Georgian ambassador to Kuwait, also represents her country in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. She said cooperation with the Gulf States was a 'paramount task' for Georgia, especially in agriculture, real estate, tourism and finance. Mayering-Mikadze has already submitted her credentials to the Saudi foreign affairs minister and is waiting for an audience with the country's monarch.." [more]

Halt Provocation, GCC Tells Tel Aviv [Mar 11]
"Foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on Israel on Wednesday to refrain from provocative gestures and strongly condemned the incursion of Israeli forces’ into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque and their clashes with Palestinian worshippers. The GCC foreign ministers, meeting in Riyadh, also condemned Tel Aviv for the deliberate inclusion of several Islamic monuments, including Al-Ibrahim Mosque in Al-Khalil, (Hebron) and Bilal Mosque in Bethlehem, among its Jewish heritage and culture sites. The meeting, chaired by Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti deputy prime minister and foreign minister, also criticized the Israeli excavation under the fences of occupied Jerusalem, and said: 'These acts represent provocations for Muslims all over the world” and a plan to wipe out the great cultural remnants of Islamic history..' [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 10]~~~~~~~~~

Gates in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Iran [Mar 10]
"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here on Wednesday for talks with the Saudi royal family that senior defense officials said would be focused on Iran. His visit follows recent trips to Riyadh by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of United States Central Command, and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The talks are to include discussions about United States military cooperation with Saudi Arabia in building up its air and missile defense. Mr. Gates is to provide an update to Saudi officials, who are intensely concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, on the American-led effort to impose new sanctions on Tehran. Mr. Gates is to meet with King Abdullah and Crown Prince bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud over dinner at the king’s farm outside Riyadh.." [more]

Saudis to Host Conference in Chicago [Mar 10]
"..Next month, Saudi Arabia will launch another phase of its growth strategy when it hosts a two-day Davos-style 'business opportunities forum' in Chicago to entice U.S. investment, particularly in manufacturing. 'It seems that whenever someone comes here, they either go to the West Coast or the East Coast, and we thought it would be a good idea to do it somewhere else,' said Abdullah Alireza, Saudi Arabia's U.S.-educated commerce minister, who recently spent a day in town preparing for the forum. 'And the South was too close to oil. We were looking at the Midwest, and we chose Chicago because it has a variety of industrial and manufacturing, and small and medium enterprise.'. Alireza said he hopes to replicate the forum in Saudi Arabia in 2011, return the event to a different U.S. city in 2012, and then continue the rotation every year thereafter. The Saudi government has a similar program in place in Britain.." [more]

Oil Chief Warns of 'Green Bubbles' [Mar 10]
"The chief executive of the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the world's largest crude producer, warned that enthusiasm for alternative energy could engender 'green bubbles' as the new technologies 'overpromise but then underdeliver.' Still, Chief Executive Khalid Al-Falih also said he was optimistic about the long-term prospect of renewable fuels. He singled out solar energy for praise, and detailed plans for modest investments in the sector.. ..Mr. Al-Falih says his company's interest in solar is being driven by rising power demand in Saudi Arabia. Aramco supplies both natural gas and crude for electricity generation. As electricity demand continues to grow, the draw on Aramco's output is also growing. 'For the long-term, given the rapid growth of population, the high rates of growth of electricity, [meeting domestic power needs] is going to be at the expense of exportable barrels,' he said. Therefore, generating more power from the sun could free up barrels for export and gas for petrochemical manufacturing.." [more]

Saudi-French Dialogue of Civilizations Next Week [Mar 10]
"The Saudi-French Dialogue of Civilizations Symposium opening on March 15 at the Sorbonne in Paris will see university professors from the Kingdom and France present research on interfaith dialogue and the role of culture in improving relations between religions and cultures. The two-day symposium, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education in conjunction with the Sorbonne University, aims to give impetus to King Abdullah’s dialogue initiative which seeks to strengthen ties and understanding between followers of religions, cultures and different nations and promote the values of peace, tolerance and justice.. ..Dialogue, he added, also refers to 'international organizations and their work to build peace, the role of culture in international relations, and cultural identity, and religions and identities as elements in different peoples’ diversity and as pillars of the joint global inheritance'.." [more]

IBM, KAUST Work on New Technique to Recycle Plastic [Mar 10]
"IBM researchers Tuesday said they have discovered a way to make Earth-friendly plastic from plants that could replace petroleum-based products tough on the environment. IBM is working with scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to put the discovery to work in the recycling of plastics used in food and beverage containers.  The breakthrough promises biodegradable plastics made in a way that saves on energy.. ..The 'green chemistry' breakthrough using “organic catalysts” results in plastics that could be repeatedly recycled, instead of only once as is the case with petroleum-based plastic made using metal oxide catalysts.."  [more]

US Freight Major Eyes $14bn Saudi Petrochem Market [Mar 10]
"Bahrain-based Kanoo Freight, a division of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo LLC, and BDP International on Tuesday announced the formation of a joint venture company to serve the logistics and transportation needs of the Middle East. The new entity, a 50-50 joint venture between the two groups called BDP Kanoo Chemical Logistics to be based in Dammam, will focus on $14 billion Saudi petrochemical market. However, financial terms of the agreement between the two privately held companies were not disclosed.. ..BDP, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., USA, has earned a reputation for domain expertise in the chemical sector over the past 40 years, and today serves nine of the world's top 10 multinational chemical producers, as well as hundreds of others through a global network of wholly owned offices, joint ventures and affiliates in more than 120 countries. Kanoo is a charter member of the BDP Global Network.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Big Winner in Academic Awards [Mar 10]
"Winners of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance were announced on Tuesday.   Saudi Arabia is a winner in all three categories. Two local schools, Imam Al-Sousi Qur’an Middle School, and Girl’s High School in Al-Mibriz won in the distinguished school category. Two Saudi teachers Khalid Al Khamis and a woman Jihan Al Nahdi won in the most distinguished teacher category. In the most distinguished student category, Ahmad Al-Saleh and Dalia Al-Qarni were the winners. The list also included winners from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The announcement was made during the 69th session of the Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States in Jeddah. It was founded in Riyadh in 1975 with the aim of establishing and assisting in the development of education in the six GCC states.." [more]

Opportunities for Investment in Environmental Projects Abound [Mar 10]
"A panel chaired by Saudi Geological Survey president Zohair Nawab deliberated on investment opportunities in environmental projects and examined the role of banks and other financial institutions in funding such ventures. Innovations in carbon trading and environment finance, establishing centers for research and routes to secure financing, designing Gulf-based carbon exchanges, environmental financing by banks and funds, investment issues related to environmental protection projects and funding opportunities in the environmental field were among the topics discussed.. ..He added that the Kingdom’s capital market is sound enough for the private sector to attract investments and funds. He also said that government, semi-government agencies, and the private sector should come forward with environmental protection and management projects with a greater degree of involvement.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 9]~~~~~~~~~

Public Opinion Building Against Strict Interpretation of Prayer Break Rules [Mar 9]
"A number of Saudi citizens and expatriates have urged authorities to review the prevailing system of shutting down commercial establishments daily during prayer times. 'There was no substantial proof for such a practice of shutting commercial enterprises for prayer during the periods of Islamic caliphs and later,' some citizens confided in Gulf News.  In a survey of a number of Saudi citizens and foreigners conducted by Gulf News, it was revealed that most of them oppose enforced prayer breaks for shops and businesses.. ..Misfar Al Qah'tani, head of the Islamic Studies Department at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran, saw nothing objectionable in keeping pharmacies and fuel stations open round the clock. The latest report of the Saudi Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (religious police) showed 230,710 violations pertaining to closing down commercial enterprises during prayer time. 'This represents 76 per cent of the violations spotted by the commission. The number of people who have been taken into custody in this respect accounts for about 25,000,'.."  [more]

Saudi Families Spend Twice What They Earn [Mar 9]
"Saudi families spend nearly twice what they earn, according to Kuwaiti economist Jassem Al-Mutwwa. Education, amusement and eating out account for more than 181 percent of a family income in Saudi Arabia,” said Al-Mutwwa who delivered a lecture on personal finance in Jeddah on Saturday. According to his research, Saudi families overspend on personal articles and services by an average of 8 percent. However, he noted the money spent on housing and health care was considerably less than in other parts of the world. 'While only 44 percent of the family budget is spent on housing, health care represents 39 percent,'.. ..He also stressed the need for the Gulf society to change from a consumer society to a productive society in order to cope with the rapid developments in the world.." [more]

Green Energy Revolution Expected in Kingdom [Mar 9]
"Saudi Arabia and the Gulf signalled their intention to kick-start a renewable energy revolution in the region on Monday.  A panel of experts at the ongoing Gulf Environment Forum in Jeddah, chaired by Assistant Minister for Petroleum Affairs Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, said measures were in place to improve the energy mix and finally reduce Middle East dependence on oil.. ..Saudi Arabia is actually trying to clean up its act where pollution is concerned, according to an environmental expert at Saudi Aramco. Khalid Abuleif said $300 million had been injected into research and development for projects directly linked to energy and the environment. He added that Saudi Arabia was one of four countries signed up to the 'Four Kingdoms' initiative, which aims to explore the environmental viability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The Kingdom is expected to be one of the pioneers of CCS.." [more]

Abdullah bin Zayed Arrives in Riyadh [Mar 9]
"Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Riyadh this evening, leading the UAE's delegation to the 114th session of the GCC Ministerial Council. He was received at the airport by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal, Under Secretary of the Saudi Foreign Ministry for Protocol Affairs Ala Al Deen Al Askari, and UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri. The Ministerial Council meeting is scheduled to discuss a number of political and economic issues.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 8]~~~~~~~~~

King Approves 20-Year Job Strategy [Mar 8]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah said Sunday he has approved a 20-year employment strategy and ordered the creation of more than 200,000 jobs in the education sector as part of government efforts to improve the condition and welfare of its nationals.. ..In his keynote address, King Abdullah highlighted the government's efforts to promote education. The SR540 billion current budget, the largest in the Kingdom's history, allocates SR137 billion for education, SR61 billion for health services and SR46 billion for water, industry and agriculture.." [more]

King’s Speech at Shoura Council [Mar 8]
"“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family and companions. Dear brothers, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. With Allah’s help and blessings, we open the work of the second year of the fifth term of the Majlis Al-Shoura, asking Allah Almighty to help us all to serve our religion, our country and our people, the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We cannot achieve our hopes and aspirations without a dependence on Allah and the help of the people of this country. If this is in place, our dreams will come true.." [more]

Decision to Set Up Commercial Courts Receives Wide Welcome [Mar 8]
"Legal and economic experts in Saudi Arabia have welcomed a Supreme Judicial Council decision on Saturday to open commercial courts in major cities. The aim is to boost foreign investment in the Kingdom. 'Special courts that handle all cases related to business with a uniform legal system will attract more foreign investments to the Kingdom. Decisions from a specialized court will be quick and encouraging to foreign investors,' Majed Qarub, chairman of the lawyers committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News on Saturday. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Yahya, secretary-general of the Supreme Judicial Council, said approval has been given to open commercial courts in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.. ..The establishment of business courts fulfills one of the conditions for the Kingdom’s proposed accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to an expert on WTO-related matters.." [more]

Networks Have Not Been Told to Stop BBM Service [Mar 8]
"Saudi mobile phone network providers have told Arab News that they have not been instructed to cut off the BlackBerry Messenger service. STC, Mobily and Zain said they have not been instructed by the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) to stop the service, adding that they have only heard about the issue through the media. Last week, Arab News reported that CITC has asked Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM), the company behind BlackBerry phones, to allow the telecommunications regulator access to monitor messages sent by BlackBerry Messenger — a service that allows owners to share photos, videos, SMS messages and voice tones. RIM is investigating the matter and will provide an update once further information is available to share. A CITC spokesman refused to comment and said the media would be informed of any developments.." [more]

The Struggle of Being a Woman Journalist in Saudi Arabia [Mar 8]
"The difficulties women journalists face in reporting an event in Saudi Arabia illustrates the wider difficulties experienced by women in the Kingdom. It starts with the press release. They arrive in abundance announcing outside events, seminars or conferences. But the press release does not mention that women should not attend them. Many women journalists have been stopped at the entrance or told to leave and get what they need by phone or email.. ..Humaidan said these incidents happen because of a general stereotype that women journalists do not cover events that are not clearly attached to female concerns. 'We face other problems that are common between reporters of both genders, which is a lack of cooperation and transparency. There is still that fear of the media.'.. ..Women reporters from Arab News experienced considerable difficulties at two recent events.." [more]

Saudi Mulls Lower Quality Wheat to Cut Import Bill [Mar 8]
"Saudi Arabia is investigating lower-quality wheat to cut down its bill for imports, which are set to surge 22% this year as the desert kingdom cuts back on domestic production to save water. The Saudi Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organisation (GSFMO), the state grain import and processing agency, told US officials it was considering wheat with 12.5% protein as an alternative to the 14% it usually specifies. 'The GSFMO [said] it wanted to test domestic bakeries' and consumers' reaction to the wheat containing 12.5% protein,' a report from the US Department of Agriculture's Riyadh bureau said. 'If no major quality complaint is received, the organisation may eventually move from the 14% protein requirement to 12.5% protein option to save cost on wheat imports.'.." [more]

Hyundai Consortium Wins $2 bln Saudi Order [Mar 8]
"A consortium led by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Co has won a $2 billion power plant order in Saudi Arabia, the online eDaily reported on Monday. Citing South Korea's Economy Ministry and unnamed industry sources, the report said the consortium was picked as the preferred negotiator for the project last Friday. Hyundai Heavy said it had not been informed of the reported outcome.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 7]~~~~~~~~~

King, Suleiman Discuss Mideast Security [Mar 7]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman held wide-ranging talks here on Saturday night. The talks covered the latest developments in the Middle East.. ..Suleiman's visit, the diplomat said, involved discussions on several topics, particularly Palestine and Iraq and threats from Israel. 'The threat posed by Israel was the most important issue on the agenda,'.. ..The Lebanese president will also be looking at ways to strengthen economic relations with the Kingdom during his two-day stay in Riyadh. In a statement released on the occasion, Abdulmuhsen Al-Hokair, chairman of the Saudi-Lebanese Business Council, said Saudi investments in Lebanon currently amount to more than SR16 billion in real estate, services and banking. Al-Hokair said this figure is expected to rise to SR20 billion by 2011.." [more]

Erdogan Set to Receive King Faisal Prize [Mar 7]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will hold talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will arrive here on Monday to hold consultations and to receive the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam, which is popularly known as the 'Arab Nobel Prize.'.. ..Asked about the subjects of the talks, Gun pointed out that King Abdullah and Erdogan will discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, especially the peace process, Palestinian reconciliation efforts, the Iranian nuclear program, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq and many other regional and global issues.." [more]

Saudi Denies Changes in Border with Yemen [Mar 7]
"Saudi Arabia has denied changes in the border with Yemen after it was brought into the recently-ended war between the Yemeni army and the Houthi rebels. Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, said during a visit to Jazan that the border remains in accordance with the agreement signed by the two countries, Arab News reported. All reports on the changes were untrue and what is happening in Yemen remains an internal matter of the country, the prince told reporters. During his visit, he held a press conference pointing to Yemen and Saudi committees eliminating landmines amid the ceasefire between the Yemeni army and the Houthi militants.." [more]

17 Terror Suspects on Firms’ Payroll [Mar 7]
"At a time when the security authorities in the Kingdom are attempting to apprehend the remaining fugitives on the list of 85 wanted terrorists announced by the Ministry of Interior in February 2009, reliable sources at the Ministry of Labor said that the ministry has records with the names of 17 of the wanted who are registered as employees in private companies. The same sources said that ministry records show that eight of the 17 are still employed, eight others have had their services terminated, while one has resigned from his job. The sources said the 17 names are on the records of seven labor offices, including Riyadh, Buraidah, Dammam, Khobar, Jeddah, Taif and Makkah, indicating that the authorities concerned have found that a number of companies had used the names of Saudis to falsify their Saudization rate.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Promote Private Sector [Mar 7]
"Top OPEC exporter Saudi Arabia has been largely unaffected by a global financial crisis and will continue to encourage private sector growth and pursue a moderate oil policy, King Abdullah said on Sunday.. ..He said the kingdom, a member of the G20 group which is seeking to lower its dependence on oil, would continue to help drive private sector growth. 'We will not stop to create the appropriate climate to have participation of private sector institutions and its growth with God's help,' he said. Saudi Arabia would also continue its policy of 'moderation' in oil policy after having helped with its policy to limit the impact of the global crisis on stability of oil markets and producers and consumers.." [more]

Young and in Debt [Mar 7]
"About one in four Arab youths are in debt, according to a survey of 2,000 nationals and Arab expatriates in nine countries across the region. The Arab Youth Survey, conducted by public relations company Asda’a Burson-Marsteller, found that the situation was particularly bad in Saudi Arabia, where 52 percent of the respondents claimed to be in debt. Overall, 40 percent of the respondents - all of whom were aged between 18 and 24 - claimed that they had credit card debts, while 25 percent said that they had personal bank loans. Auto loans followed closely at 21 percent, while only 8 percent of the respondents said that they were burdened with student loans. Out of the 52 percent of Saudi respondents who are in debt, 66 percent have credit card debts, 23 percent have personal bank loans and 6 percent have auto loans.." [more]

Saudi Maaden, Daelim Project to Cost $41 Mln at start [Mar 7]
"Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) 1211.SE said preliminary work on a petrochemical project in Jubail with South Korea's Daelim Industrial Co (000210.KS) will cost about $41 million. In end-December, both firms signed a deal to launch the Jubail project, a petrochemical joint venture with Sahara Petrochemicals Co 2260.SE. 'This project is expected to cost 154 million riyals ($41 million) to cover the costs for the first nine months,' Maaden said in the statement on the Saudi bourse website on Sunday. The joint venture, expected to have a capacity of 250,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of caustic soda and 300,000 tpy of ethylene dichloride, is due to be completed in the third quarter of 2012, the firm said.." [more]

Feb 28-Mar 6, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 6]~~~~~~~~~

King to Address Shoura Tomorrow [Mar 6]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to deliver the annual royal speech launching the second year of the Shoura Council’s fifth term Sunday. The speech is regarded by many as comparable to the State of the Union address in the US, addressing the Kingdom’s domestic and foreign policies. 'The contents of the King’s speech to the Shoura Council are regarded as a work-approach for the Council, paving the way for it to achieve more and setting out the goals to which the state aspires over the year,' said Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Aal Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Shoura Council. 'With the speech the Council commences its studies, sessions and proposals in the light of the aims and outlines set out by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.'.." [more]

RIM Investigates Reports About BlackBerry Service [Mar 6]
"Canadian wireless device manufacturer Research in Motion, Ltd. (RIM) issued a statement to Arab News on Friday saying it is investigating reports in the local press that Saudi regulators have asked the company for access to its unique messaging service for its BlackBerry devices. 'RIM operates in more than 170 countries around the world and respects the regulatory requirements of governments,' said a company statement. 'RIM is investigating the reported matter in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will provide an update once further information is available to share.'.. ..The reports have raised concern among BlackBerry owners who claim they bought the device specifically for the messaging service. The CITC was unavailable for comment on Friday.." [more]

Saudi Wheat Output May Drop 30 Percent [Mar 6]
"Saudi Arabia's wheat production is expected to drop 30 per cent to 700,000 metric tonnes in the 12 months ending June 2011, from one million tonnes in the previous period, the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service said yesterday. The kingdom decided in January 2008 to reduce wheat production by 12.5 per cent a year, abandoning a 30-year-old programme to grow its own, having achieved self-sufficiency but at the high cost of depleting the desert kingdom's scarce water supplies.. ..Saudi Arabia consumes around three million tonnes of wheat a year and has a policy of maintaining a quantity of wheat equivalent to at least six months' domestic consumption as a reserve stock at any given time.." [more]

Saudi-Syrian Joint Forum Meeting Today [Mar 6]
"The Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf is scheduled to meet with Syrian Finance Minister Muhammad Al-Hussein on Saturday in Damascus. The Saudi delegation includes Yousef bin Ibrahim Al-Bassam, vice chairman and managing director of Saudi Fund for Development, Saleh bin Manie Al-Khilaiwi, director general of customs, as well as a number of senior officials, businessmen and investors. The two-day meet will bring together business executives from both countries.. ..participants from both parties to discuss aspects of investment opportunities available in the two countries, from the perspective of both governmental and private sector.." [more]

Solar Energy Farms May Be Built With EU’s Help [Mar 5]
"Efforts are being made to establish solar energy farms in different parts of the Kingdom with the support of the European Union, local press reports said on Friday. Germany’s Siemens Company will transport the energy using advanced electrical cables, the reports said. Informed sources close to the project said it would be carried out within the next three years. 'Studies have proved that Saudi Arabia could become the largest exporter of solar energy in the world,' one source said.  'Saudi Arabia has a duty to join other countries in the effort to produce clean and green energy like solar energy in order to reduce carbon emissions that harm the environment,' said Khaled Al-Nabulsi of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. He said the government should support the production of solar energy, adding that the Shoura Council and the Cabinet must issue laws to regulate production and supply of solar energy. Studies have shown that Saudi Arabia could earn more revenue from solar energy than oil. This is because the country has the capability to produce large amounts of solar energy due to a large expanse of open area exposed to the sun.." [more]

GCC Chief Backs Gulf Civic Councils Federation [Mar 6]
"The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) supports a common body for municipal councils of the member countries. Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah has said that the new body — the Federation of Gulf Municipal Councils — would help accelerate implementation of municipal projects in the six GCC states. Al Attiyah made the remark during his meeting with President of Qatar's Central Municipal Council Nasser Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, and the accompanying delegation at the GCC headquarters here on Wednesday.. ..The federation would be headquartered in Qatar but its chairmanship would be rotated among the six GCC countries.." [more]

Saudi Security Confiscate Books by Reformer [Mar 6]
" Saudi civil rights group says security forces had confiscated books by a well-known reformer at an international book fair in Riyadh. The Committee of Civil and Political Rights said in a statement Saturday that Saudi security officers stormed a book stall at the Riyadh International Book Fair on Thursday and confiscated all works by Abdellah Al-Hamid. The group said the confiscated books cover a wide range of topics on civil society and political reform. Al-Hamid is a well known critic of Saudi’s royal rulers. He spent many years in prison for demanding political reform.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 5]~~~~~~~~~

BlackBerry Messenger Faces Closure [Mar 5]
"Subscribers might soon be saying bye-bye to the BlackBerry — at least if they use the phone because of its unique messaging service.. ..Local media reports say the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has asked Canada-based Research In Motion, the company that owns the popular mobile device, to allow the telecommunications regulator access to monitor messages sent by BlackBerry Messenger, or BBM. BBM is a special messaging service for BlackBerry phone users. For a monthly flat fee, BlackBerry owners can share messages, IM and multimedia with other BlackBerry owners.. ..According to a report in Thursday’s Al-Watan newspaper, the CITC wants to have access in order to monitor the messages in the BBM network, threatening to shut down the service for noncompliance.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Mulls New Port For Food Imports [Mar 5]
"Saudi Arabia is considering building a new port in the Red sea city of Jeddah to handle rising imports such as wheat and barley under a food security plan, an official said Wednesday. Food security has topped the policy agenda in the Gulf Arab region following rampant inflation in 2008 that underscored the peninsula’s dependence on imports and forced countries to invest abroad to ensure supplies of staples like rice and wheat. Saudi Arabia has emerged as global buyer of wheat and is also trying with the help of private Saudi investors to secure farmland in Africa and elsewhere abroad to import more food.  'The new port is still under study and we are looking at various locations for a port to support Jeddah’s Islamic port in food security imports,'.. ..JIC has faced some congestion in 2008 and 2009, resulting in hefty charges for many delayed ships as well as the diversion of some shipping lines to other ports. 'This new port will deal with non-container imports like wheat and barley imports,'.." [more]

RSF Plans Unprecedented Visit to Saudi Arabia [Mar 5]
"The secretary general of 'Reporters Without Borders' (RSF), Jean-Francois Julliard, declared on Wednesday that he was ready to visit Saudi Arabia, to 'freely' meet with representatives of media institutions in response to an invitation, recently launched via local press, by the President of the Saudi Journalists Association (AJS), Turki Al-Sudeiri. 'I’d be very happy to visit Saudi Arabia and meet with institutions in charge of the media sector. It would be Reporters Without Borders’ first time”.. ..In its 'worldwide press freedom index in 2009,' RSF ranked Saudi Arabia the 163rd (out of 175 countries), a slight decline from its 2008 ranking (161st place). In response to Saudi complaints, RSF’s bureau chief in North Africa and the Middle East, Soazig Dollet, said that 'the criteria used by RSF for the establishment of a world ranking of freedom of the press in 2009 are objective, and do not differ from one country to another nor distinguish between countries.'.." [more]

Efforts Stepped Up For Release of Hijacked Ship [Mar 5]
"The company that owns and operates a bunker barge hijacked by Somali pirates on Monday has intensified efforts to secure its release. International Bunkering Company Ltd. (IBCO) is working with its insurer, the Saudi IACI Cooperative Insurance Company (SALAMA), to facilitate negotiations with the pirates. However, senior Sri Lankan officials have expressed concerns over the fate of 13 Sri Lankan crew members held hostage on board the ill-fated ship.. ..The Al-Nisr Al-Saudi was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. The 14-member crew include 13 Sri Lankans and one Greek.." [more]

Association For Saudi Cartoonists Formed [Mar 5]
"Saudi editorial cartoonists have formed an association in Riyadh to advocate their contributions to mass communications and to develop allegiances with other in the field worldwide. Hana Hajjar, the first Saudi female editorial cartoonist and a founding member of the association, said the group would also help with legal counsel. 'The Association of Saudi Cartoonists and Caricaturists will protect its members against unjustified layoffs and oppression by appointing lawyers to defend them before the courts,'.. .. The association’s chairman, Abdullah Sail, an editorial cartoonist at Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper, said the idea to establish the association was mooted three years ago and it saw the light thanks to the support of Abdul Aziz Al-Subail, a former official at the Ministry of Culture and Information. He said the association would open its doors before all cartoonists of any nationality.." [more]

Haj: Malaysia Asks For Higher Special Quota From Saudi Arabia [Mar 5]
"The government is negotiating with the Saudi Arabian authorities for special additional quota for Malaysians to perform the Haj so more could do so. Minister in Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, said the 26,000 quota now was not enough given the rising number of pilgrims each year. He said given the existing quota there was concern that some elderly folks would not be able to perform the Haj. 'This was because elderly people, especially those 75 years and above, were more prone to various sickness risks.' 'So we are negotiating with the Saudi Arabia authorities to give an additional special quota for two or three years to reduce the number awaiting their turn for a longtime,'.." [more]

Tata Motors to Supply 1,000 Buses to Saudi Arabia [Mar 5]
"Tata Motors today said it has received an order to supply 1,000 air-conditioned school buses, estimated at around USD 50 million (about Rs 230 crore), to Saudi Arabia. 'Tata Motors has entered into an agreement with Hafil Transport of Saudi Arabia to supply 1,000 air-conditioned school buses,' the company said in a statement. The delivery of the buses would begin in April and would be completed during the year, it added. Although the company did not reveal the value of the order, sources in the know said it would be of about USD 50 million. 'The buses will be used to transport girl students studying in schools operated under the country's Ministry of Education,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 4]~~~~~~~~~

US-Saudi Women’s Forum Offers opportunity to Entrepreneurs [Mar 4]
"Dar Al-Hekma College hosted the US-Saudi Women’s Forum on Social Entrepreneurship on March 2-3, which offered students the opportunity to present their projects to judges, before first, second and third place winners were announced. In March 2009, 130 students from local colleges and universities enroled in a two-week session of lectures and workshops on social entrepreneurship. Again in July 2009, Babson College’s Center for Women’s Leadership and Wellesley Center for Women and ICF International in Washington, D.C. selected 30 students and developed their proposals for six projects on social entrepreneurship.. ..Green Jeddah, an environmental awareness group, won first place ($4,000 prize) for promoting recycling and sustainable development.. ..Green Jeddah was fantastic — not only one segment would benefit from it, unlike the other projects, but the whole society. 'In fact, the whole world would benefit from it'.." [more]

Misfar Marriage is Unlawful, Says Grand Mufti [Mar 4]
"Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, has warned against 'misfar' marriage saying it is no different to “mut’a” marriage conducted in order to 'fulfill desires unlawfully'. The Grand Mufti said that traveling abroad to 'marry with the intention of divorcing upon return' is haram – impermissible – in Shariah, and described the act as having detrimental effects on society, women, and children resulting from such unions. Aal Al-Sheikh, citing the Qur’an, said that the purpose of marriage was to build a stable home of love and compassion to bring peace of mind. 'The marriage known as ‘misfar’ is just ‘mut’a’ marriage, taken for a certain number of days,' he said. 'It is not permissible for Muslim men or women'.." [more]

STC Launches New Company in Bahrain [Mar 4]
"The Saudi Telecom Company (STC) became Bahrain's third mobile operator with the launch of a new company called 'Viva Bahrain' on Wednesday.. ..'The opening of a Saudi company in Bahrain symbolizes the strong and long standing relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia,' said STC Chairman Muhammed Al-Jasser in a speech on the occasion. STC won Bahrain's third mobile network operating license with a bid of 86.7 million dinars ($231 million) in March last year. Bahrain already has two mobile phone companies - state-run Batelco and Kuwaiti-owned Zain. Saud Al-Daweesh, chief executive officer of the STC Group, said Bahrain is the 10th country in which STC is presently operating, joining Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Turkey, South Africa, Lebanon and Jordan. He added that the company serves over 100 million people across the world.." [more]

GDF Suez Tops Saudi Electric Bid [Mar 4]
"French energy giant GDF Suez and the Saudi al-Jomaih Group were chosen as the preferred bidders for a 1,730-megawatt gas-fired power facility in the kingdom. Five proposals were submitted for the greenfield gas-fired project slated for a site about 75 miles west of Riyadh. GDF Suez collaborates with General Electric turbines and Hyundai Heavy Industries as the contractors for the independent power project. 'Having been appointed preferred bidder for the Riyadh IPP creates the opportunity for GDF SUEZ to pledge its continued commitment to the development of infrastructure for the future of Saudi Arabia,' said Dirk Beeuwsaert, the GDF Suez vice president of Europe and international efforts. Saudi Arabia aims to expand its installed power capacity from 29,000 MW to 60,000 MW by 2020.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 3]~~~~~~~~~

Haia, King Abdulaziz University Sign MOU [Mar 3]
"..Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Humain was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah on Monday. The two bodies are to cooperate in scientific research, information technology and other fields. 'The human rights unit recently established within the commission will accept any case presented to it. Its workforce and methods will also be heavily promoted,' he said. Sheikh Al-Humain signed the MOU with the university’s undersecretary for business and knowledge creativity, Dr. Ahmad ibn Hamid Naqadi. 'The signing of the MOU with KAU is part of a commission drive to sign agreements with other Saudi universities,'.. ..Dr. Naqadi described the signing of the MOU as a quantum leap in the development of the commission as it attempts to stay in touch with ongoing societal changes in the Kingdom.." [more]

Somali Pirates Hijack Empty Saudi Tanker [Mar 3]
"The European Union Naval Force says Somali pirates have hijacked a Saudi tanker with 14 crew onboard. Cmdr. John Harbour said Wednesday that the Al Nisr Al Saudi usually carried fuel oil but was empty when it was taken on Monday. The captain of the ship is Greek and the nationality of the rest of the crew was not known, but they are believed to be safe. The 5,136 ton ship was not registered with maritime authorities and was outside the designated route that naval warships patrol. Harbour says it has been taken to Garacad, a well-known pirate stronghold. Pirate attacks typically spike during March, April and May. The calmer seas make it easier for pirates to board ships.." [more]

Security Stepped Up at Mosque [Mar 3]
"Security has been beefed up at the Prophet's (PBUH) Mosque in Madinah in the wake of the recent attempt to attack the mosque's imam. Some 598 security cameras have been installed in the mosque and its courtyards in addition to the deployment of more security forces in order to closely monitor visitors coming to and from the mosque on a round-the-clock basis.. ..A mentally ill man was arrested carrying knives behind imam Shaikh Saleh Al Budair while he was leading Friday prayers last month. Brigadier Gen Al Biladi said that all security arrangements were in place to avoid such incidents being repeated in the future and the mosque's security centre was fully equipped. The centre is closely monitoring the movements of worshippers arriving and leaving the mosque and facilitating their smooth movement on an around-the-clock basis, he said.." [more]

King Approves International Advisory Body for KAAU [Mar 3]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved a number of decisions taken by the Council of Higher Education in its 58th session, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Bin Muhammad Al-Anqari said in a statement to SPA Tuesday. The King, who is also the Chairman of Council of Higher Education, approved the establishment of an international advisory body for King Abdul Aziz University. The university’s council will select the members of the advisory body and draft the body’s rules and regulations, said Al-Anqari.." [more]

Prince Khaled Opens Strategic Missiles Command Building [Mar 3]
"Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, opened a new command center for the strategic missiles force in Riyadh on Tuesday. Maj. Gen. Jarallah Al-Alweet, commander of the missiles command, described the new building for the force as one of its major achievements. 'This facility will contribute to strengthening the strategic missile force in the Kingdom,' he said. Earlier on arrival at the facility, Prince Khaled was received by Gen. Hussein Al-Qabeel, deputy chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Al-Alweet.." [more]

Laws to Govern Electronic Media Finalized [Mar 3]
"The Ministry of Culture and Information has finalized a set of rules governing electronic media in Saudi Arabia. The rules are to be submitted to the Higher Authority for approval prior to implementation, said Abdul Aziz Al-Mulhem, vice minister for IT and information at the Ministry of Culture and Information. 'The rules will regulate the activities of the electronic media in the Kingdom which have tremendously increased and will end violations and excessiveness,'.. ..'This new form of media is able to rapidly disseminate news and is independent. This has led to it attracting a huge audience,' he said. Abdullah Marie Bin Mahfouz, general manager of Bin Mahfouz International Law Firm and a member of the GCC Jeddah Center for Law and Arbitration, said there are certain social values that online media should observe and that these are more important than any law. 'Rigid application of laws may not bring the expected results,' he said, adding that rules governing the work of print publications in the Kingdom have been successful in protecting both journalists and wider society. Bin Mahfouz warned that the rules may not be sufficient at times and called on journalists to be committed to accuracy and truthfulness.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Writer Abdo Khal Wins International Prize for Arabic Fiction [Mar 3]
"A satirical Saudi Arabian novel exploring the devastating effects of limitless wealth has won the International prize for Arabic fiction. Saudi Arabian writer Abdo Khal's Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles – the title is a Qu'ranic reference to hell – is set in Jeddah, where the author lives. It depicts the seductive powers of a palace and those who have become its puppets, telling 'the agonising story of those who have become enslaved by it, drawn by its promise of glamour', said the organisers of the prize, which is known as the Arabic Booker. Khal, who studied political science in Jeddah before becoming a novelist in 1980, told local press that winning the prize was 'like a medal on your chest'.. ..Khal beat five shortlisted authors to win the prize, which is run with the support of the UK's Booker prize foundation and funded by the Emirates foundation with the aim of finding a wider readership for Arabic literature.." [more]

Saudi Extends Bids for Ras Azzour Power Project [Mar 3]
"Saudi state-run utility the Saline Water Conversion Corp (SWCC) has agreed to extend by one month the deadline for bids to build a giant power and water project, a senior source said. The project in Ras Azzour, on the Gulf coast, is expected to be the world's largest when completed during the last quarter of 2013. It will have the capacity to generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity and produce 1,025 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day. The fresh deadline to submit bids is on April 19 from March 20, the source said. 'Bidders confirmed they needed more time, the time given was not enough,' the source who did not wish to be named, told Reuters. Japan's Sumitomo Corp was leading a consortium to build and operate the project. In May it said it put on hold its consortium's plans for the project estimated at the time at $6 billion after the Saudi government said the plant was no longer designated an independent project.." [more]

GDF-Led Group Preferred Bidder for Saudi Plant [Mar 3]
"A consortium led by France's GDF Suez is the preferred bidder to build a $2 billion power plant in Saudi Arabia, an executive at Saudi Electricity Co (SEC) 5110.SE said on Wednesday. 'The consortium (of GDF and al-Jomaih Group) offered the best complied bid of 0.1079 riyal per kilowatt-hour,' Amer al-Swaha, head of independent power producer (IPP) projects at state-run SEC, told Reuters. 'We apologised to the other four bidders,' he added.. ..'We are now in the project documentation phase to negotiate all agreements -- including the power purchase agreement -- and when we finish we will sign (the contract),' Swaha said. 'Financial close would take place by the end of May, the signing is expected within two months.' 'The cost of the plant is indeed within that range, around $2 billion,' Swaha said. In October, Swaha said it would cost between $2 billion and $2.5 billion to build the 2,000 megawatt combined cycle IPP plant in the capital Riyadh.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 2]~~~~~~~~~

Search Widens for Kids Abandoned by Saudi Fathers Overseas [Mar 2]
"The search for children born to foreign women and Saudi fathers overseas will be extended to all corners of the world to let these children know that although they have been abandoned by their Saudi fathers, Saudi Arabia is their country and they have not been forgotten, said Najeed A. R. Al-Zamil, founder of the Back to the Roots Foundation, a non-government organization that seeks out and supports such children. 'The Back to the Roots program of the foundation will soon launch a global search for these children to identify them, investigate their status and condition, and find ways to help and care for them if need be,'.. ..According to Al-Zamil, the largest concentration of children of Saudi fathers born to foreign women overseas is in Egypt where there are over 400,000 of them. 'In Syria there are over 100,000 children who are the sons and daughters of Saudis. There are also such children in countries like Morocco, Tunisia, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and in Western countries including the United States,'.." [more]

Iraq’s Al-Maliki Accuses Neighbors of Financing His Opponents [Mar 2]
"Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused unspecified neighboring countries of funding his opponents in this month’s parliamentary elections. Al-Maliki said in a British Broadcasting Corp. interview that parties competing against his State of Law coalition in the March 7 vote were getting financial assistance from Iraq’s neighbors and from farther afield. The comments on the BBC’s Arabic-language channel were reported today on its Web Site. The prime minister of Iraq’s Shiite Muslim-led government criticized Saudi Arabia, a majority-Sunni Muslim country, for not sending an ambassador to Baghdad. 'If they want to improve relations, they are welcome; if they want to keep the rupture, they are free to do that,' he said.. ..The Iranian influence in Iraq since the overthrow of Hussein is a major concern for Saudi Arabia and the other U.S.- allied Sunni Gulf monarchies, said Theodore Karasik, head of research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. 'For Saudi Arabia, the fact that this government is there and is trying to twist this election to stay in power is a concern because that maintains Iranian influence right up to its borders,' Karasik said in a phone interview.." [more]

Saudi Women Lawyers Can Set Up Their Own Law Firms [Mar 2]
"Saudi women lawyers qualified to practice law in the Kingdom will be allowed to establish their own law firms, according to legal experts. “Like their male counterparts, Saudi women lawyers can set up their own law offices and hire legal assistants,” said Dr. Ahmed A. Audhali, a leading lawyer in the Eastern Province. He said women lawyers can also join existing law firms managed by male legal advocates. Mohammad Al-Issa, Justice Minister, recently announced that the ministry intends to issue a new draft law that will license women lawyers to practice their profession and represent other women in personal status cases pertaining to divorce, alimony and child custody. The new law will also allow women to perform basic procedures with notaries, such as registering and mortgaging property and authorizing corporate sponsorships and gifts.. ..Another lawyer, who specializes in labor and civil laws, said interaction between women lawyers and judges who are all religious clerics could pose a problem. The appointment of women judges in family courts would be the solution.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Raises Most April Oil Prices to U.S [Mar 2]
"Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest state-owned oil company, raised official selling prices for all crude grades, except heavy, for customers in the U.S. for April and lowered prices on all grades to Europe and most for Asia. The company increased the formula price of its Arab Light crude to the U.S. the most, raising it by 20 percent, or 15 cents a barrel to a 60-cent discount off the benchmark Argus Sour Crude Index, an official with the company said today. Aramco raised the premium for Extra Light crude to 95 cents above the benchmark, also a 15-cent change. The formula price of Arab Medium crude rose 10 cents to $2.10 a barrel below the Argus index, while the Arab Heavy crude price fell 15 cents to a $3.30-a-barrel discount.." [more]

Saudi Credit Ticks Up But Remains Tight in Jan [Mar 2]
"Saudi bank credit to the private sector edged up 0.2 percent in January, official data showed, raising hopes lenders were becoming less cautious in the biggest Arab economy. Saudi bank credit growth was flat throughout much of 2009 due to global turmoil and after defaults by local family firms. Bank credit to the private sector rose to 709.8 billion riyals ($189.3 billion) in January after 708.77 billion riyals in December, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) said in its monthly report on Tuesday. 'It's encouraging that lending to the private sector is rising again after the sharp fall in December, but growth at this pace points to the continuing tightness of credit conditions,' said Paul Gamble, head of research at Saudi investment bank Jadwa Investment. 'Greater bank lending is necessary for the private sector to play a fuller role in the economic recovery. It would also help to bolster confidence and should stimulate the stock market,'.." [more]

Cabinet Approves Report on Results of Yemeni-Saudi Council [Mar 2]
"The Cabinet approved Tuesday a report presented by the Prime Minister Ali Mujawar on the outcomes of the 19th round of the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council held in the Saudi capital ,Riyadh, during February 23-27. The report included the nine cooperation documents signed at the end of the round, including four grants of SAR 430.5 million for the areas of water, sanitation, health, electricity and higher education. In addition to, the report included two executive programs in the field of tourism and higher education and two memoranda of understanding for the fields of social insurance and scientific and academic cooperation.. ..the cabinet praised the vital role of the Kingdom in the Yemeni development process as well as the Saudi supportive positions to the security and stability of Yemen as that is an inseparable part of the Kingdom security.." [more]

More Than 1,000 Saudis to Study at Irish ITs [Mar 2]
"More than 1,000 students from Saudi Arabia are to study at three of the State’s institutes of technology over the next four years under a scheme announced yesterday. An agreement between Athlone, Galway and Waterford institutes of technology and Saudi Arabia’s technical vocational training corporation (TVTC) will involve students undertaking a one-year English language course. This will be followed by three-year degree courses in areas such as engineering, renewable energy, software, business, accounting, financial services and tourism. Athlone IT president Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin said the agreement followed several years of building up a relationship between the Middle East and the three institutes of technology. 'It is also an important milestone in signalling the quality of Irish higher education to an international audience and showcasing our growing reputation as an innovation island,'.." [more]

Saudi Red Tape, Tight Lending Deters Foreign Firms [Mar 2]
"Complicated bureaucracy and tight lending conditions are deterring foreign real estate developers from entering the Saudi Arabian market, developers said at a real estate event in Jeddah. The Saudi real estate market, expecting to need 1 million new homes by 2015, was seen as offering a golden opportunity for developers in neighbouring Gulf countries, who saw a halt in development projects after the financial crisis. But that demand has yet to be met. 'There are not enough developers in Saudi and not enough developers from abroad coming here. They have come, but in my opinion, only a few have come," said Omar Al Kadi, president of Saudi's Injaz Development Company.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 1]~~~~~~~~~

Riyadh Declaration Cements Ties [Mar 1]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed the Riyadh Declaration on Sunday night. The declaration was signed after the two leaders held extensive talks. The declaration, termed a 'New era of strategic partnership', will be implemented by the two countries for their economic, cultural, social and scientific development. It will identify the areas to harness energy resources as well as fight terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. Singh, who is on a three-day state visit, met with King Abdullah on Sunday night at Al-Yamamah Palace in the presence of Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif and senior government officials. Singh called for a comprehensive energy partnership between India and Saudi Arabia at a meeting earlier in the day with Saudi businessmen at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.." [more]

Indian PM Assured of Oil Supply [Mar 1]
"Rapidly growing India has been assured that the Kingdom is ready to supply all its current and future oil needs. This was the assurance given at a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi in Riyadh Sunday. The two men held discussions on the state of the world’s oil markets and the efforts being made by the Kingdom to bring stability to the markets. The Indian PM was assured of the Kingdom’s 'desire and readiness” to provide India with its “present and future' oil needs.. ..Earlier, addressing the Saudi-India Business Forum, organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Singh said: 'We believe that conditions are ripe for moving beyond a traditional (oil) buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive energy partnership.' 'We deeply value Saudi Arabia’s role as a reliable partner in meeting our energy needs. We believe that conditions are ripe for moving beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive energy partnership'.." [more]

Naif Calls For Peaceful Solution to Iran Crisis [Mar 1]
"Saudi Arabia reiterated on Sunday its stance on the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West, saying that the issue should be resolved peacefully. However, it emphasized the need for ensuring the Middle East region was free of weapons of mass destruction. 'The Kingdom supports a peaceful solution to the issue,' said Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, adding that Iran should abide by all international regulations and agreements to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.." [more]

Six Saudis Chosen for Obama’s Summit of Entrepreneurs [Mar 1]
"Six young Saudis — four women and two men — have been selected to attend President Barack Obama’s Summit on Entrepreneurship on April 26-27 in Washington. Last June, the US president announced in his celebrated 'New Beginning' speech in Cairo that Washington would host a 'Summit on Entrepreneurship' to identify how to strengthen ties between business leaders, organizations and social entrepreneurs in the US and Muslim countries and communities around the world.  The summit will cover topics such as entrepreneurial success stories, businesswomen, young entrepreneurs, the culture of entrepreneurship and the roles of technology and capital in successful businesses. Delegates have been selected to represent their home countries, regions and communities. They include existing successful entrepreneurs, investors, academics and leaders of business networks, charities and organizations invested in promoting business or social entrepreneurship in Muslim societies.."  [more]

Citibank Exploring New Investment Opportunities in Middle East [Mar 1]
"Citibank Chief Executive Vikram Pandit stated that his company is exploring new investment opportunities in the Middle East as a core-part of its growth strategy. Pandit made the statement while meeting with Saudi Arabian billionaire and Prince, Alwaleed Bin Talal, who is currently the single largest individual shareholder in Citibank. Pandit did not go into explicit detail about what investments that Citi might be seeking to make in Saudi Arabia, but iterated that the investments would be part of Citigroup’s strategy to focus on its core business. Alwaleed’s holding company, Kingdom Holding, said that he and Pandit met and “discussed economic issues and the latest developments in Citigroup.” The statement also said that Pandit met with the Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf and the head of Saudi Arabia’s central bank, Muhammad al-Jasser in Riyadh.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Seeks Bids for Red Sea Seismic Survey [Mar 1]
"At least three companies are bidding for a seismic survey in the Red Sea for state oil giant Saudi Aramco, industry sources said on Monday. Norwegian surveyor Petroleum Geo-Services , WesternGeco, a unit of Schlumberger and Fugro NV are due to submit their bids in two weeks, a source close to the matter told Reuters. 'The invitation (to bid) is still active, everybody is studying their options,' he said. A Fugro spokeswoman confirmed that the Dutch company had received an invitation to submit a proposal, without giving more details. Last week, the oil publication Upstream reported that PGS, WesternGeco, Fugro and CGG Veritas had been invited to bid for the survey of 14,000 square km, expected to be worth up to $200 million. Aramco is planning to start drilling in deeper offshore frontiers in 2012, Aramco's chief executive Khalid al-Falih said in November.." [more]

Jeddah Needs a Million Houses in Next 20 Years [Mar 1]
"Jeddah needs almost a million housing units over the next 20 years. This can be achieved through the construction of low-cost housing units, says a strategic plan prepared by the Jeddah municipality. The plan has been released to coincide with the Jeddah International Real State, Finance and Housing Exhibition 2010 (JIREX 2010), which opens here on Monday at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events.. ..Kingdomwide accommodation needs have been estimated at more than five million new housing units by 2020. The plan says Saudi Arabia will require SR2.4 trillion ($640 billion) investment in real estate over the next 20 years.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 28]~~~~~~~~~

Indian PM on Historic Visit to Saudi Arabia [Feb 28]
"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here on Saturday on a three-day historic visit. Ministers and senior officials greeted Singh at the King Khaled International Airport. The welcoming delegation included Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Interior Minister Prince Naif, Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, Commerce and Industry Minister Zainal Alireza, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh, several members of the royal family, commanders of the armed forces, diplomats and senior members of the government.. ..The trip marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister since a visit by Indira Gandhi in 1982. 'It was an unprecedented welcome to our prime minister,' said Vishnu Prakash, joint secretary and spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs at a news conference. Singh is slated to hold discussions with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday and is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Shoura Council on Monday about the constructive role played by the Shoura in the political and economic development of the Kingdom.."  [more]

Riyadh, Sanaa Tighten Border Security [Feb 28]
"Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif said Saturday that the Kingdom and Yemen enjoy excellent relations in fighting terrorism and organized crime. He was speaking after talks with Yemen's Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Mujawar. 'We believe there are many terrorist networks which are taking advantage of the current situation in the region and trying to maneuver their way to create troubles,' said the prince, speaking on the sidelines of a major donor conference hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) here. Prince Naif said cooperation among the two countries' security agencies is 'at its best' and has 'led to positive results.' He said the Kingdom and Yemen are working together 'to boost security on their shared border.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Can be an Interlocutor With Pakistan [Feb 28]
"Saudi Arabia, with its close ties with Islamabad, could be a 'valuable interlocutor' in improving India's ties with Pakistan, India's Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said Sunday. 'We feel Saudi Arabia has a long and close relationship with Pakistan and that makes Saudi a more valuable interlocutor to us,' Tharoor told Indian journalists here. He was responding to a question on whether India will seek Saudi Arabia's support to influence Pakistan to address India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistani territory.." [more]

Saudi Market Regulator Approves Share Sales by Five Companies [Feb 28]
" Saudi Arabia’s market regulator approved shares sales by five companies, including three insurance firms. Knowledge Economic City Co., a real-estate investment company, will sell 120 million shares 10 riyals a share between May 24 and 30, according to a statement on the Saudi bourse Web site today. Al Hassan Ghazi Ibrahim Shaker Co., a cooling systems and home appliances manufacturer, will sell 30 percent of its shares, the regulator said in a separate statement. The insurance companies identified in Arabic as Saudi Solidarity for Takaful, Amanah for Cooperative Insurance, and National Cooperative Insurance Co. will sell shares at 10 riyals a share in March, according to a third statement.." [more]

Teams Pull Out of Cycle Race Due to Security Fears [Feb 28]
"The volatile security situation in Pakistan continues to scare away foreign athletes and in the latest setback, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Nepal have pulled out of the 15th Tour de Pakistan cycle race owing to safety concerns. An official in the Pakistan Cycling Federation said the three countries have opted out of the race which begins March 1 from Peshawar.  'Obviously they have security concerns and have pulled out for this reason but the Afghanistan team has already reached Peshawar on Saturday,' the official said.." [more]

Feb 21-Feb 27, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 27]~~~~~~~~~

Singh Allays Arab Concern [Feb 27]
" Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that Arab concern about growing Indo-Israeli defense cooperation is 'misplaced' . Last year it was reported that Israel had replaced Russia as India's top supplier of defense equipment. The Indian premier was speaking in a special interview prior to his visit to the Kingdom.. ..'Our relationship with no single country is at the expense of our relations with any other country,' he said. As to India's support for Palestine, it was 'an article of faith for us,' he added. 'Our solidarity with the people of Palestine predates our independence,' he said. 'India supports a peaceful solution that would result in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, side by side at peace with Israel.'.. ..The relationship with Saudi Arabia was of prime importance for India, the premier said.."  [more]

International Donors in Riyadh to Support Yemen [Feb 27]
"A conference of international donors and regional partners of Yemen gathered here on Saturday to find the best ways to disburse aid to the impoverished country, battling terrorism and insurgency, and its effective utilisation. The two-day conference is also discussing the ways to effectively implement the resolutions of the London donors' conference held last month. The conference was being held under the shadow of concerns and doubts voiced by major Western donors about the competency of the Yemeni government in proper distribution of the aid for various purposes. Speaking to Gulf News, a top Yemeni source said that these donor countries have failed to fulfill their aid pledges made at an earlier conference held in London itself in 2006. 'We had received less than 10 per cent of their pledges amounting to a total of $4.7 billion made at the conference,' the source said.." [more]

OPEC Output Compliance Slips [Feb 27]
"OPEC crude oil supply is rising in February to the highest in 14 months led by Angola and Saudi Arabia, a Reuters survey showed on Friday, further reducing compliance with output targets. Supply from the 11 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries with output targets, all except Iraq, is averaging 26.8 million barrels per day, up from a revised 26.69 million bpd in January, according to the survey of oil firms, OPEC officials and analysts. The survey implies OPEC has made 53 per cent of promised supply cutbacks versus 56 per cent in January. OPEC, source of more than a third of the world's oil, meets to set policy on March 17.." [more]

Saudi, Huntsman Launch $288 Mln Petchem Complex [Feb 27]
"Huntsman Corp and Saudi family-owned conglomerate Zamil Group on Saturday started production at joint-venture plant that will add 6.5 percent to global ethylene amines supply, state media said. The 50-50 partners spent 1.08 billion riyals ($288 million) to build the plant owned by Arabian Amines Co, the official SPA news agency reported. The plant starts at a production capacity of 27,215 tonnes per annum but it can be increased to 41,000 tonnes. The product will be marketed by Huntsman in Asia and Europe. Ethylene amines are used in various applications including asphalt, fuel additives, bleaches, corrosion inhibitors and fabric softeners.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 26]~~~~~~~~~

Kingdom Faces Unprecedented Overhaul of Judicial System [Feb 26]
"As the Kingdom prepares to accommodate Saudi women lawyers in specials courts that deal with domestic disputes, the country is also facing an unprecedented series of overhaul of the judicial system. Over the past 14 months, the courts have considered a number of cases raised by the local media turning them into 'public opinion issues' and thus making them rank among the most remarkable incidents of the year. The media also focused on a number of social issues foremost of which were cases of “family violence,” which the Saudi society has become accustomed to seeing in the newspapers.. ..All in all, the most prominent cases before the Saudi courts last year were media issues.. ..The Saudi courts are now waiting to implement the new judicial system.." [more]

Riyadh Challenges Reporters Without Borders [Feb 26]
"Saudi Arabia, stubbornly relegated by 'Reporters without Borders (RSF)' at the bottom of the list of the world ranking of press freedom, now accuses the Paris-based NGO, to be 'unreliable and unfair' to the kingdom which boasts of having 'widened the margin of freedom' enjoyed by journalists. There is nothing new in the Saudi complaint. The new thing is that Riyadh invites RSF to come and see things on the ground before writing its reports.. ..The President of the Saudi Journalists Association, Turki Al-Sudeiri - also the Editor-in-Chief of the influential newspaper Al-Riyadh (close to the government), has followed suit by issuing an invitation to RSF, via the local press, to 'ascertain the reality on the ground.' 'We are completely transparent and they (officials of RSF) are free to arrange visits to any press institution they wish to visit. They will meet journalists and see the great amount of freedom enjoyed by Saudi newspapers that are totally independent and rely on their own finances,'.." [more]

Fatwa Seeking Death For Gender Mixing Shocks Society [Feb 26]
"A Saudi cleric has shocked the international and Saudi communities after he issued a fatwa last Tuesday calling for those who promote co-educational environments to be put to death. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Barrak said the mixing of men and women in the workplace or educational institutions was religiously prohibited. 'Whoever allows this mixing allows forbidden things, and whoever allows them is an infidel and this means defection from Islam. Either he retracts or he must be killed because he disavows and does not observe the Shariah'.. ..The subject of ikhtilat and its interpretation has become an issue of public controversy recently, especially as religious officials are considering allowing it. Yet Sheikh Sa’ad Al-Shethri, a member of the Board of Senior Ulema, was removed from his post last year after criticizing the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) for promoting a co-education environment.." [more]

Saudi-Japan Ties Heading to a New Era [Feb 26]
"The recent meeting of Saudi-Japanese Business Council (SJBC) in Riyadh was a big success and would play a big role in strengthening the relations between the two countries, said Saudi Ambassador to Japan Abdul Aziz Turkistani on Thursday.  'We are looking forward to a new era in Saudi-Japan relations,' the ambassador said. 'Some 300 Saudi students are now studying in Japan.' Turkistani also spoke about the interest shown by Japanese banks and companies in using Islamic banking products to finance their projects in the Kingdom and other Gulf countries. He said the SJBC meeting had discussed prospects of expanding bilateral trade and establishing more joint investment projects. 'Saudi Arabia has become a fertile ground for investment,'.." [more]

Danish Daily Issues Apology Over Prophet Drawing [Feb 26]
"A Danish newspaper on Friday apologized for offending Muslims by reprinting a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban, rekindling heated debate about the limits of freedom of speech. Danish daily Politiken said its apology was part of a settlement with a Saudi lawyer representing eight Muslim groups in the Middle East and Australia. It drew strong criticism among Danish media, which previously had stood united in rejecting calls to apologize for 12 Muhammad cartoons that sparked fierce protests in the Muslim world four years ago. Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen expressed surprise at Politiken's move, saying he was worried that Danish media no longer were 'standing shoulder to shoulder' on the issue.." [more]

Beware of Agents at Indonesian Airports, Saudis Told [Feb 26]
"The Kingdom’s Embassy in Jakarta is working with Indonesian authorities to clamp down on Al-Misfar marriages involving Saudi men and Indonesian women. Al-Misfar marriage is a term used for those who marry while traveling on a journey and is considered illegal by Saudi authorities. In a telephonic interview, Abdul Rahman Khayyat, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Indonesia, said plans are under way to deal with those people at Indonesian airports that try to arrange these types of marriages for Saudi tourists or traders.. ..This type of illegal actions has caused a great deal of heartache because of the hundreds of children conceived. These Saudi fathers would leave behind these children and not support them.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 25]~~~~~~~~~

Indian PM to Make First Saudi Visit in 28 Years [Feb 25]
"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will head to Saudi Arabia this weekend for the first trip by an Indian PM to the Middle East oil heavyweight in 28 years, his office said. During the three-day visit starting Saturday, Singh will meet King Abdullah and address the nation's consultative assembly in Riyadh, a spokesman said. New Delhi, which imports more than 70 percent of its energy needs, has been trawling for new oil supplies while attempting to ramp up domestic production to fuel its fast-growing economy. Saudi Arabia is India's biggest crude supplier accounting for 20 percent of the country's total consumption, according to India's industry body FICCI. Regional rival China is the biggest importer of oil from the country. The Hindustan Times reported that India and Saudi Arabia would sign nine agreements on expanding cooperation in the hydro-carbon sector, an extradition treaty and agreements on science and technology.." [more]

Egypt Scholars Demand Saudi Cleric Retract Fatwa [Feb 25]
"Scholars at Egypt's al-Azhar were outraged at a fatwa issued by Saudi cleric Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak that states that all those who promote the mingling of sexes are apostates that should to be killed. Barrak's fatwa comes in contradiction to earlier statements by al-Azhar, the world's leading institution of Sunni Islam, that claimed that mixing is permitted within limits.. ..Atrash argued that even if the mixing exceeds the limits allowed by Islam, neither those who do it nor those who promote it should be called apostates nor punished by death. 'It could be considered a sin, but not one that is punishable by death.'.. ..Sheikh Ahmed al-Ghamdi, head of the Mecca branch of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, said the fatwa does not deserve any attention. 'Barrak might have just wanted to stir public opinion,' he told Al Arabiya.." [more]

New Law to Allow Women Lawyers to Take Up Family Issues [Feb 25]
"Women lawyers are still unlikely to deal with criminal cases in Saudi courts, said Vice President of the Saudi National Committee for Lawyers Hadi Al-Yami. Al-Yami, who is also a member of the Human Rights Commission, added that although women make up half of society and crimes can be committed by both genders, women lawyers are still unlikely to represent women defendants in court. The vice president added that a new bill to be announced by Justice Minister Mohamed Al-Issa will allow women lawyers to deal with cases relating to child custody, divorce and other family-related issues. 'This is an excellent move as it would give women lawyers a chance to argue cases in courts,' said Al-Yami. He added that a lawyers’ system introduced in 2001 awarded licenses to only practicing male lawyers. Although there are no restrictions on women lawyers practicing law, there is no clarity on the issue and so women are not issued licenses to practice law. At present, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot deal with cases in actual courts.." [more]

Death Fatwa Result of Natural Differences [Feb 25]
"'Extreme fatwas have come to the fore once again, but this time they’ve been met with condemnation in religious and cultural circles.' So began a report in Al-Watan Arabic daily on Wednesday following the publication of a fatwa the previous day by Sheikh Abdulrahman Bin Nasser Al-Barrak on his official website deeming lawful the killing of anyone permitting 'ikhtilat' – mixing of the sexes – in the workplace or in a place of education.. ..Sheikh Abdullah Al-Turaiqi, a professor at the Higher Institute of the Judiciary, however, told Al-Watan that the fatwa represented an 'extremist view' and was an 'error', given that Sheikh Al-Barrak is 'well-regarded' in Shariah circles. According to Sheikh Al-Turaiqi, 'differences of opinion between academics over the meaning of ‘ikhtilat’, some of them extremist and others tolerant, is only natural'. 'We should read Sheikh Al-Barrak’s fatwa in the context of those differences,'.." [more]

Riyadh to Finance Key Yemen Projects [Feb 25]
"Saudi Arabia and Yemen will sign nine agreements during the coordination council meeting that begins in Riyadh on Saturday. The agreements will include deals to finance water, electricity, health and educational projects in Yemen. Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, will chair the Saudi side and Prime Minister Ali Mujawwar will lead the Yemeni delegation during the 19th session of the Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council (SYCC) in the Saudi capital. Nabeel Shaiban, head of the Foreign Aid Department at the Yemeni Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, said Saudi Arabia would give a $40 million loan for water projects, a $50 million loan for an electricity project, a $20 million loan for Hodaidah Hospital and a $5 million loan to the colleges of education and engineering at the University of Taiz.." [more]

White House Removes Saudi Arabia From IPR Watch List [Feb 25]
"Saudi Arabia has been removed by White House from the Special 301 Watch List in light of 'progress' it has made in the enforcement of intellectual property rights, it was announced here Wednesday. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said that it 'recognized Saudi Arabia's progress in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights by removing Saudi Arabia from the Special 301 Watch List.' USTR Ron Kirk said that Saudi Arabia has made 'significant progress in improving protection for intellectual property rights during the past year.' He added that 'over the last several years, Saudi Arabia has stepped up its enforcement actions, strengthened its legal framework, and demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and creativity.' 'This is a credit to the hard work done by Saudi Arabia as well as to our close bilateral cooperation,' he affirmed.." [more]

Researchers Find New Way to Create Nanocrystals [Feb 25]
"Researchers from Singapore and Saudi Arabia have discovered a new way for greener, highly efficient production of nanocrystals for biomedical and life science sectors. According to a joint statement by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) on Thursday, the researchers from NUS, in collaboration with counterparts from A*STAR, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, have discovered a new path for energy-efficient, cost-effective creation of nanocrystals for potential applications in biomedicine, bio-imaging and production of 3D movies and displays.. ..the new technique pioneered by the team makes it possible to do away with the need to use hazardous metals or solvents, making it a more environmentally friendly method in comparison with existing methods.." [more]

Murray & Roberts, Oger Bid to Build Airport in Saudi Arabia [Feb 25]
"Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. and Saudi Oger Ltd. have submitted a tender to design and build Jeddah’s airport, Murray’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Bruce said in the company’s magazine, Robust. 'Apart from the recent nuclear bid, and, at a combined value of about 50 billion rand, this is the largest project we have tendered,' Bruce said. 'We are also tendering for about 40 billion rand of work in Abu Dhabi.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 24]~~~~~~~~~

Kuwaiti Scholars Reject Saudi Fatwa to Kill Those Who Refuse Gender Segregation [Feb 24]
"Leading religious scholars in Kuwait have rejected a fatwa or religious edict seeking to put to death opponents of strict segregation of men and women, saying that it was a call for sedition and chaos within the Islamic nation. Saudi religious figure Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al Barrak on Tuesday said that the mixing of genders at the workplace or in educational institutions was religiously prohibited on the grounds that it allowed seeing what must not be seen and engaging in forbidden conversations. Those who refuse to abide by strict segregation between men and women should be put to death, he said.. ..However, Kuwaiti scholars said that such an edict could come only from 'a senile person or someone who wants to sow sedition in the nation by allowing the killing of innocent people.' 'Officials need to step in promptly and make the authors of such edicts face legal measures to ensure that no innocent people are killed or abused by those who want to implement the fatwas,' said Dr Ajeel Al Nashmi, the head of the GCC Religious Scholars League.." [more]

Saudi Stands Trial Over Jakarta Hotel Bombings [Feb 24]
"A retired Saudi Arabian school teacher went on trial on Wednesday; charged with financing suicide bombings at two Jakarta hotels that killed seven and wounded more than 50. Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah, 55, denied any involvement in the July 17, 2009, attacks on the downtown J.W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels. 'I'm not a terrorist. I'll fight it,'.. ..Abdullah is charged with helping support terrorists by giving or lending money to perpetrators of a terrorist act. He faces a maximum 20 years in prison if convicted. Abdullah is the fourth alleged conspirator to go an trial this month over the hotel bombings in Indonesia. Prosecutors contend that Abdullah provided money to one of the alleged chief planners of the attacks, Syaefudin Zuhri, who was later killed in a police raid. Zuhri allegedly flew to Makkah to raise money for the attacks.." [more]

New Gas Field Found [Feb 24]
"Saudi Aramco has discovered new quantities of gas in Jalameed-Well in the Northern Region, announced Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi Tuesday. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he said that the gas flows at a rate of 12.1 million standard cubic feet per day from the Jalameed-Well 3 at the depth of 9, 795 feet which is located about 95 kilometers east of Turaif city. Preliminary tests showed the possibility of exploiting the gas commercially as well as developing it. He said that the Jalameed-Well can produce larger quantities of gas under normal production conditions.." [more]

Saudi Arabia is Fully Committed to G20 Initiatives [Feb 24]
"The creation of the G20 reflects the fact that the composition of world economic power is changing, according to the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA).. ..'Saudi Arabia is now part of the G20, which reflects our systemic role in the global production of energy as well as our substantial financial assets,' said Al-Jasser.  'We are fully committed to G20 initiatives aimed at strengthening the global financial system and continue to support its various financial sector initiatives that lead to sustainable economic growth across the globe and in emerging market countries in particular. He indicated that SAMA had participated in many G20 committees and working groups, taking the perspective of an emerging economy fully sensitive to the needs of its regional group, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and the larger Arab financial and economic community.." [more]

China Oil Buys From Saudi, Iran Drop [Feb 24]
"China imported less crude oil from Saudi Arabia and Iran in January from a year earlier, but raised purchases from African exporters such as Angola and Libya and smaller MidEast producers Kuwait and Iraq, customs data showed. But traders familiar with Saudi and Iranian supplies to China said the data could be skewed due to the Lunar New Year holiday and warned against interpreting them as evidence of weakening Chinese demand.. ..However, China, the world's No.2 crude buyer after the United States, raised imports from Angola which overtook Saudi Arabia as the top exporter with a 53 percent rise in supplies last month.. ..A price advantage in favour of the sweet grades such as Angolan oil versus sour grades from the Saudis may have played a role in the shift in imports.. ..supplies from Kuwait were up a third on year at 177,000 bpd and exports from Iraq rose to 154,000 bpd last month from nil a year ago, the data showed. China is expected to soak in more supplies from these two Middle Eastern producers to supplement cuts in similar grades from the Saudis, traders have told Reuters.." [more]

Houthi Rebels Say Missing Saudis Are Dead [Feb 24]
"The last two Saudi soldiers thought to have been held by Yemeni rebels are dead, the rebels have said. The soldiers were killed in battle and were not captured, a spokesman for the Houthi rebels claimed. It had been thought that they were captured by the Houthis during cross border skirmishes with Saudi forces last year. The Houthis, Zaidi Shias from the Saada province, invaded Saudi Arabia in November last year, staying for months.   'The last two Saudi soldiers were killed in battle,' Abdel Salam told news agency AFP. 'We informed mediators of their death, the issue of Saudi prisoners of war is now closed.' The Saudi defence ministry said they had not been informed of the soldiers' deaths and could not comment.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Export Solar Power Soon, US Says [Feb 24]
"US Energy Secretary Steven Chu expects that Saudi Arabia will emerge as a major exporter of solar energy and this could reach the current level of the kingdom's oil exports. He also dismissed fears of a looming crisis caused by dwindling oil production. Chu, a strong backer of alternative energy, said that there is big scope for Saudi Arabia to tap into its vast solar energy sources. "The kingdom's drive to invest a portion of its oil revenue on scientific and technical research will enable it to strengthen diversification of energy sources and promote renewable energy programmes. 'This will contribute to achieving remarkable growth in its industrial output and increasing productivity potential,' he said. Chu made these remarks during his meeting with a number of senior government officials and media persons following a lecture at the office of the International Energy Forum here on Monday.." [more]

Saudi Vice Police: We Don't Mind Media Criticism [Feb 24]
"The president general of Saudi’s ‘vice police’ has welcomed media criticism and said that the organisation retains “great affection” for the Kingdom’s press. Speaking at the signing of a memorandum to promote stronger relations between the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai’a) and the University of Qassim, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Humayyen Al-Humayyen said that his organisation stands by a policy of anonymity, and refrains from defaming anyone involved in its cases, irrespective of social standing. According to the Saudi Gazette, said he expects the presidency to expand in terms of staff numbers and that work in that regard is currently being conducted with the government.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 23]~~~~~~~~~

Chu Urges Energy Resource Diversification [Feb 23]
"The world is undergoing a series of changes and issues relating to climate change must be addressed for a better world, said US Energy Secretary Steven Chu following a lecture at the headquarters of the International Energy Forum in Riyadh on Monday. Chu, who also met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said there are a lot of uncertainties in the sector such as fluctuation in oil prices and the sudden impact of the world financial crisis. He added that there should be concerted efforts to confront these challenges. 'Saudi Arabia and the United States enjoy a long term relationship and these two countries could find solutions to these challenging problems through scientific cooperation,'.. ..Regarding oil supply, Chu said the market would adjust even if supplies were to decline. 'I don't see any peak in oil'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, Qatar Agreements to Boost Ties [Feb 23]
"Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed several agreements on the sidelines of the second meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Joint Coordination Council in Doha Monday night, further boosting bilateral ties in various fields. As many as 10 agreements, memoranda of understanding and minutes pertaining to political, health, agricultural, economic, commercial, diplomatic, cultural, media, industrial, Islamic affairs and endowments fields were signed on the occasion. The meeting was co-chaired by the Saudi Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz and Qatar’s Crown Prince Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.. ..Meanwhile, Saudi political analysts and writers welcomed the agreements signed in Doha on the sidelines of the Coordination Council meeting. Speaking to Gulf News, they said that this demonstrates the determination of both the countries in pushing ahead with initiatives aimed at bringing closer and strengthening rapprochement between the two neighbours. Dr. Nayef Al Shamri, a Saudi political analyst, said the Doha meeting reaffirms the common understanding that the two countries are moving together with other GCC states in the same boat to a same destination.." [more]

Move to Allow Women Lawyers in Saudi Courts Hailed [Feb 23]
"Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Justice Dr Mohammed Al Eisa clarified that there was no formal decision taken yet to allow women lawyers to argue cases in the Kingdom’s courts. Speaking to Gulf News, he said that the Justice Ministry is currently working on a draft law that would allow women lawyers to practice in courts. 'Under the draft law, female lawyers will be granted licence to practice in courts and their jurisdiction will be restricted to personal matters in the initial stage,' he said adding that the draft will be made public in the coming few days.. ..According to Al Nasiri, Saudi society would generally accept women in gowns. 'It is impossible to see 100 per cent approval rating for any reform measure in any society.' 'There could be those, who oppose the move. Important thing is that those in favour of the reform should have the majority than those opposing it,'.." [more]

Controversy Rages Over Minimum Marriage Age [Feb 23]
"The marriage of young girls to elderly men in the Kingdom has been in the media focus recently, provoking public discussions and encouraging officials and associations to launch campaigns for setting up a legal minimum age of marriage. However, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Teraifi, a researcher in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, told Saudi Gazette that he was critical of media campaigns that call for disallowing marriage of young girls to elderly men.. ..'Outlawing the marriage of young girls to elderly men will have a negative effect on Saudi society as it will lead to mixing of the sexes which is impermissible in Islam,' he said. 'In addition, delaying the marriage age to 18, for example, will delay the age of wearing the Hijab (the scarf covering a woman’s head and hair) to later ages. Girls under 18 will be allowed to meet men and boys and deal with them freely without wearing the Hijab, and this is completely against Islamic rules,' Al-Teraifi added.. ..The marriage of young girls to older men is not a recent phenomenon in the Kingdom. It has been there since ancient times for a number of reasons.." [more]

Abdullah and Saleh to Discuss Border Security and Infiltrators [Feb 23]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will meet with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Riyadh Tuesday to discuss a broad range of issues including border security and measures to prevent infiltrators from entering Saudi territory. Saleh is expected to brief King Abdullah on the latest developments in the ceasefire with the infiltrators. This includes an update on the handover of prisoners of war. The two leaders are also expected to discuss border security, including the deployment of the Yemeni army along the border to stop any further conflict with the infiltrators.." [more]

Child Obesity Growing at Alarming Rate, Studies Show [Feb 23]
"Scientific studies conducted in the Kingdom in the last few years have warned of the harmful effects of child obesity and its growing prevalence. Child obesity is regarded as one of the biggest problems in society. Overweight children are at risk of developing long-term chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, which is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing while sleeping, as well as heart disease and diabetes.  There are many factors behind child obesity, whether they are genetic, psychological or social.. ..The World Health Organization has indicated that schoolchildren have a high incidence of diabetes, especially in the Gulf region, because the relatively high standard of living promotes a lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating.." [more]

News Corp. to Buy 9.09% of Saudi Media Group for $70 Million [Feb 23]
"News Corp. said on Tuesday that it agreed to acquire a stake in a Saudi Arabia-based media firm that's owned by one of the company's largest investors. The $70 million deal also gives News Corp. has an option to double its holding during the 18 months after the initial deal closes. Rotana, owned by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, operates a major TV network and advertising-sales operation in the region and has the largest library of Arabic films, News Corp. said. It also operates a major record label, managing prominent artists. Rotana has a radio network and offers a variety of digital services, News Corp. said.. ..News Corp. is the parent of Dow Jones, which includes The Wall Street Journal, Barron's magazine, Dow Jones Newswires and MarketWatch.." [more]

Saudi Aramco In Talks Over Adding More Oil Rigs [Feb 23]
"Noble Corp., (NE) the third-largest offshore oil and gas rig contractor, is in talks with state-giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co, or Saudi Aramco, over adding more oil rigs, the chief executive of the U.S.-based firm said Tuesday. The world's largest oil exporter has been talking about adding more rigs.. ..Last year, sources told Zawya Dow Jones that Saudi Arabia was expected to cut the number of oil rigs by as much as 20% until the end of the year amid lower crude output. In 2008, Saudi Aramco had about 130 offshore and onshore rigs in operation at peak times, the sources said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 22]~~~~~~~~~

Crown Prince Sultan Meets Yemeni Tribal Leaders [Feb 22]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Sunday received a group of Yemeni tribal leaders, who denounced the Yemeni infiltrators' for attacking the Kingdom. Prince Sultan donated SR20 million for orphans and the handicapped in Yemen.." [more]

Naif to Co-chair Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council [Feb 22]
"Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, is scheduled to leave for Doha Monday afternoon for a two-day visit as head of the Saudi delegation.. ..The Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, whose members include Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance; Musa’ed Al-Aiban, Minister of State; Abdullah Zainal, Minister of Commerce; and Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, will discuss Saudi-Qatari cooperation in political, security, economic, education and cultural areas as the two countries seek to strengthen ties and mutual interests. The Council’s first session was held in Riyadh on Dec. 16, 2008.. ..The occasion witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding in political, economic, commercial, cultural and information fields, and further agreements are expected to be signed in this second session.." [more]

Panel Drafting Law to Fight Terrorism [Feb 22]
"Saudi Arabia is in the process of creating chairs for scientific research on terrorism in almost all universities across the Kingdom.. ..A government committee is working to put the final touches on plans for a law to combat terrorism and the financing of terrorism. The committee is composed of representatives from the ministries of Interior and Justice and members from the General Commission for Investigation and Prosecution and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. The plans, once finalized, will be put before the Cabinet and other legislative bodies, aim to define punishments for anyone involved in or supporting acts of terrorism. About 76 national, regional and international experts on terrorism that include judges, prosecutors and officials of law enforcing agencies are participating in the three-day workshop.." [more]

Aramco, Total to Float Sukuks [Feb 22]
"Saudi Arabian Oil Co, the world's biggest crude producer, and Total SA hired banks to sell Islamic bonds to help fund the construction of a $12 billion (Dh44 billion) oil refinery, said two bankers familiar with the transaction. Saudi Arabian Oil, also known as Aramco, and Total, Europe's largest refiner, appointed Deutsche Bank AG, Samba Financial Group and Calyon to manage the mainly domestic bond sale, said the bankers, who declined to be identified as the details are private. The lead managers will start investor meetings late next month or at the beginning of the second quarter.. ..The size of the issue may be around $1 billion.." [more]

Saudi Annual Inflation Slows To 4.1% In January [Feb 22]
"Saudi Arabia's annualized inflation slowed to 4.1% in January compared with 4.2% in December on a slight drop in home rents, data from the Central Department of Statistics & Information showed Monday. In the month, consumer prices came in at 0.2% for January versus 0.4% in December. The cost of living index in the kingdom, the Arab world's largest economy, stood at 125.5 points in January, up from 125.2 points in December, and 120.5 points during the same period in 2009, the CDSI said. The index for rent, fuel and housing-related services rose 11.6% in January compared with the year earlier period, and was 0.9% higher compared with December 2009. For food and beverages, the index was up 2.2% year on year and 0.3% on the month. 'The small respite in monthly inflation does not isolate Saudi Arabia from a more globalized trend which is a steady rise in global food prices to which the kingdom is nearly 65-70% depended,'.." [more]

Egypt and Saudi Snared in ‘Dangerous’ Botnet [Feb 22]
"..Dubbed ‘Kneber', the botnet is said to involve 75,000 zombie machines in 2,500 organisations globally, gathering login credentials to online financial systems, social networking sites and email systems from infected computers. NetWitness warns that the information is being reported to cybercriminals who can use it to break into accounts, steal corporate and government information, and replicate personal, online and financial identities.. .."The country with the most machines affected out the 75,000 was Egypt with almost 7,000. Saudi Arabia came in third with almost 4,700 and Kuwait had almost 1,500," revealed Shwartz. "The Emirates (UAE) total was relatively low, with only 50 devices, but we found that there was no specific country or market-sector being targeted.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 21]~~~~~~~~~

Kingdom to Adopt New Laws in Line With Shariah [Feb 21]
"Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed the need to 'develop a global legal framework against terrorism, while pledging to formulate and issue new legislative regulations' as part of a plan to develop the Saudi justice system. Al-Eissa said the Kingdom is willing to adopt the best of the judicial systems from across the world and that this would not undermine the fundamentals of the Shariah law, which forms the basis of the Kingdom's judiciary. 'There is an urgent need to coordinate efforts to fight the menace of terrorism and crime on a global level and within a global legal framework,'.. ..In a statement released on the occasion, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh said: "Terrorism, which threatens security, spreads terror and sows discord in society, must be condemned by one and all." Acts of terrorism are "forbidden in Islamic Law," said the grand mufti. 'The Kingdom has been engaged for years in combating terrorism and so has particular experience in fighting terrorism and its financing,' he added. He said that 'terrorism is a criminal act serving only to shed the blood of innocent people and spread panic and chaos in order to destabilize societies.'.."  [more]

Saudi Women Lawyers Would be Allowed to Appear in Court [Feb 21]
"The Ministry of Justice is drafting a law that would allow female lawyers to argue legal cases in court. Sheikh Muhammad Bin Al-Issa, Minister of Justice, said Saturday the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of King Abdullah’s 'plan to develop the justice system.'.. .. The law would mark a major step for female lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases before court. Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody, divorce and other family-related issues.. ..The minister said the procedure is meant to shorten the litigation period and lighten the burden of judges.." [more]

Indian Premier’s Visit to Focus on Security Issues [Feb 21]
"Security issues in West Asia and parts of South Asia will be the focus of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s talks with Saudi leaders during his three-day visit to the Kingdom starting Feb. 27.. ..Singh will hold talks with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on a number of bilateral and regional matters of mutual concern that include political, economic and cultural issues, he said. The talks will also focus on the Palestinian issue, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, the ambassador said. There is a deep concern both in India and Saudi Arabia about the sense of insecurity and instability that is pervasive across West Asia and parts of South Asia from Palestine to Pakistan, he said. 'Therefore, security cooperation will constitute the basis of our dialogue'.." [more]

Jadwa Casts Doubt on GCC Monetary Union [Feb 21]
"The mooted four-nation Gulf monetary union may never actually occur, despite the approval from the relevant heads of state, a Saudi investment outfit has warned. Consultancy Jadwa Investments said that as the countries’ economies diversified at differing paces, the logic of a single currency would decline as time went by. 'We are doubtful that the project will go ahead and do not expect any form of regional currency to be launched over the next few years,' Jadwa said in a report on the Saudi economy and the GCC monetary union, as cited by Emirates Business.. ..The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council agreed in 2001 to create a European Union-style shared currency which would help them to integrate their economies and pursue a monetary policy independent of the US. All the council’s members except Kuwait peg their currencies to the dollar. Oman pulled out of the project in 2007 and the United Arab Emirates withdrew earlier this year after the Saudi capital Riyadh was selected as the location for the future central bank.." [more]

India Among First Countries Saudi Will Ink Extradition Pact With [Feb 21]
"India will be among the first countries Saudi Arabia will sign an extradition treaty with when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits that country later this month, according to Saudi Ambassador to India Faisal Hassan Trad.  Manmohan Singh's visit will be the first by an Indian prime minister to Saudi Arabia since Indira Gandhi's visit 28 years ago. Stating that bilateral cooperation in security and counter-terrorism measures will assume immense importance during the prime minister's visit Feb 27-March 1, Trad told IANS in an interview: 'India is among the first major countries we are having an extradition agreement with. We did not have these agreement with all countries, especially extradition treaty.'.." [more]

Allawi Meets Saudi King Ahead of Polls [Feb 21]
"Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi held talks on Saturday with Saudi King Abdullah and a number of other politicians in Riyadh. Saudi media gave no details about the talks which they said were also attended by the head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz. Last week, the Iraqiya List, headed by Allawi, suspended its election campaign after the Accountability and Justice Commission barred hundreds of Baathist candidates from running in the country's March elections. The two leading members of the Iraqiya List, Saleh al-Mutlak and Dhafir al-Ani, were among the 145 candidates from different parties whose appeals against the Accountability and Justice Commission which blacklisted them were rejected.." [more]

Kingdom, Yemen Railway Link Being Discussed [Feb 21]
"Plans to build a railway to Yemen and link it to the proposed Gulf railway from Kuwait to Oman is to be discussed by the Technical and Finance Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which is currently meeting at the GCC’s headquarters in Riyadh, sources told Arab News. However, the committee will discuss the Yemen link only after addressing various aspects of the multibillion dollar GCC railway project, in particular the formation of a GCC railway authority. This is expected to take the form of a joint company to oversee work on the 1,940-kilometer line which will link Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.. ..The project, which has been under consideration for over five years, was given the final go-ahead at the GCC summit in Kuwait in December.. ..The route for a link to Yemen has not yet been disclosed.." [more]

20,000 Toyotas Recalled in Saudi [Feb 21]
"More than 20,000 cars of Japanese automaker Toyota will be recalled in Saudi Arabia to fix a faulty accelerator problem, local daily Arab News reported on Sunday. Local agent Abdul Latif Jameel Co (ALJ) has told the Ministry of Commerce and Industry it will begin its recall of two models of Toyota cars, the Avalon sedan and Sequoia sport utility vehicle, to make sure they were safe to drive.. ..Saudi Arabia's Consumer Protection Association (CPA) has for weeks been calling on authorities to force ALJ to recall and check in cars it sold locally.. ..Toyota said in a statement distributed in the Middle East that the same problem afflicting cars in North America, Europe and China was unlikely to occur in the Middle East due to the difference in climate. The source at ALJ told Arab News that 'although the two models suffered accidents very rarely in Saudi Arabia, the company launched the service campaign to ensure the safety of car owners'.." [more]

Feb 14-Feb 20, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 20]~~~~~~~~~

US Energy Secretary Visits Kingdom [Feb 20]
"US Energy Secretary Steven Chu will visit Riyadh on Monday but it is Beijing's allure that has intensified for oil suppliers in 2008 and 2009, as demand grew more in China but contracted in the United States and Europe at the same time. Saudi Arabia has boosted exports to China and the flow of crude from the Kingdom to the United States has fallen.. ..'No single producer is really going to challenge the Saudi position in China in the long run," Kirsch said. "China is a key market and Saudi doesn't want to lose market share there. It doesn't want to lose out to Russia and Iran. And that's part of why they will continue to push for long-term refinery deals in China.' One such is for supply to China's Fujian refinery, in which state-owned Saudi Aramco holds a 25 percent stake. Riyadh plans to ship 200,000 barrels per day to Fujian this year after start up in 2009. Aramco is also looking to invest in a second Chinese refinery, a 200,000 bpd plant in the eastern port of Qingdao.." [more]

750 Saudi Arabian Students to Study English Here [Feb 20]
"Some 750 Saudi Arabian students are to begin studying English in Dublin this April at a new institute of education. The Citywest Institute of Education, developed by businessman Jim Mansfield, in Saggart, has secured a contract with the ministry of higher education in Saudi Arabia to tutor the students in English. The contract is worth €250 million to the company over six and a half years.. ..The company has said it will invest €150 million in the project. Mr Mansfield also paid €13 million to ensure the Luas would extend to the complex. The 600 male and 150 female students with their chaperones will be accommodated in the apartments and townhouses already built around the Citywest Hotel. Over 290 jobs will be created as part of the project, with 100 new teaching posts and 10 administrative positions.." [more]

Saudi Al Tayyar Travel Cancels IPO Amid Weak Investor Demand [Feb 20]
"Travel agency Al Tayyar Travel Group (ZZZ.YY) cancelled its initial public offering because institutional investors didn't subscribe to their allotted shares within the required timeframe, Saudi Arabia's Capital Markets Authority said Saturday. Al Tayyar, which sells holiday packages, books airline tickets, and has a cargo and ground handling business, was planning to offer 24 million shares, a 30% stake of the company, from Feb. 22 through Feb. 28, according to a previous statement posted on the Saudi bourse Web site.." [more]

Gruda: Saudi Arabia Losing Out by Not Being More Open [Feb 20]
"Uta Gruda, the founder and chairwoman of Berlin-based GCC-German Business Invest, came recently to the Jeddah Economic Forum and offered insight into the problems with doing business in Saudi Arabia, especially as a women.   Apart from the fact that she was relegated to the 'women’s section' of the JEF — where she says the entire section was only allowed two questions to the forum participants — she was also told she could be seated in the men’s section but was later 'blocked and stopped' from entering.. ..Gruda, whose company seeks German joint ventures with small and medium businesses in the Gulf region said that Saudis need to be 'more open and supportive' of her efforts if they expect her to be able to sell ventures to German investors. If not, she said: 'They (Saudi business executives) will lose more'.. ..By contrast, she said her experiences in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi three years ago were 'active.' In contrast it took her two years to even get permission to enter the Kingdom.." [more]

Leading Scholar Bats for Women’s Rights [Feb 20]
"A leading Shariah scholar in the Kingdom has demanded the formation of a special commission to look after women’s rights, according to Shams daily.. ..Sheikh Al-Fonaisan is the latest to call for an improvement in women’s rights in the Kingdom. There have been a number of high profile cases recently where women such as Fatima Azzaz who had to fight for the right to live with her legal husband and father of her children after her family tried to force the couple to divorce. Eventually the Saudi Human Rights Commission and Supreme Judicial Council had to intervene.  The discussion of women’s issues is a sensitive matter in the Kingdom.. ..Al-Fonaisan is also against the trend of setting up commissions of Muslim scholars, such as the one recently formed in Kuwait. He fears the increasing number of such organizations can only help sow the seeds of discord. Al-Fonaisan wants a merger of all organizations of religious scholars.." [more]

Saudis Return Stolen Antiquities to Egypt [Feb 20]
"The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques will hand over Sunday a collection of Egyptian artifacts that were confiscated from a man who had smuggled them into the country to sell. The handing over ceremony will take place at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh. Ali Al-Ghabban, deputy director of antiquities at SCTA, said the handing over antiques comes within the framework of an agreement on protecting cultural artifacts. The artifacts were described as statuettes.." [more]

Riyadh International Book Fair to Open on March 2 [Feb 20]
"More than 1,000 Saudi and foreign publishing houses and companies are expected to take part in the Riyadh International Book Fair which opens on March 2.. ..The book fair will also witness, for the first time, a dialogue between Khoja and male and female writers. “The minister is expected to honor some of the pioneers of cultural forums in the country,” Al-Jasser said. He said the exhibition’s cultural programs were finalized with the support of 60 researchers including women from different parts of the Kingdom.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Telecommunications Report Q1 2010 [Feb 20]
"..BMI estimates that the Saudi mobile customer base grew by just over 20% in 2009. Growth in 2009 was only slightly lower than in 2008 when the market grew by 26.7%. The strong growth in 2009 was partly due to the launch of commercial operations by Zain in late 2008. Saudi Arabia’s high mobile penetration rate, which had exceeded 177% by the end of 2009, can be explained with reference to the country’s two largest mobile operators, Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Mobily (owned by Etisalat of the UAE).. .. Although Saudi Arabia’s own score remains unchanged this quarter, the country has risen from third to second position in our rankings. This change of position is due to the weaker performance registered by Bahrain.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 19]~~~~~~~~~

Can Saudi Ties With the Taliban Help Stabilize Afghanistan [Feb 19]
"In his quest to stabilize his country, Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai, dressed in white robes, arrived last week in Mecca on what can only be called a diplomatic pilgrimage. Although Karzai undoubtedly spent time praying at Islam’s holiest site, his mission was intended to prove more than his piety. So what diplomatic or financial gain was Karzai seeking? Why travel to Saudi Arabia at the very moment that US President Barack Obama’s military surge has become operational? Can Saudi Arabia play a serious role in resolving his country’s increasingly bloody conflict? One card the Saudis can play is their severe Islamic ideology, which the Taliban shares.. ..In theory, the Saudis also have the economic clout both to entice and rein in the Taliban. Being present at the Taliban’s creation, the Saudis know how to talk to its leaders.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Hosts U.S. Energy Czar Chu But Woos China [Feb 19]
"Saudi Arabia's oil affair with top consumer the United States is being redefined as contracting demand in the West means the kingdom competes more fiercely for dominance in the growing Asia market, especially China. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will visit Riyadh on Monday but it is Beijing's allure that has intensified for oil suppliers in 2008 and 2009, as demand grew more in China but contracted in the United States and Europe at the same time. Saudi Arabia has boosted exports to China and the flow of crude from the kingdom to the United States has fallen. The latter hit a 22-year low during 2009 as recession slashed fuel use and Saudi Arabia led OPEC supply cuts to match supply with demand. Oil has always been at the heart of the political, diplomatic and economic links that tie Riyadh to its ally Washington. The relationship may be loosening but oil will continue to underpin the U.S.-Saudi connection, analysts said.." [more]

Rebels Free Two More Saudi Soldiers [Feb 19]
"Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, received two more Saudi soldiers released by Yemen's northern rebels when they arrived at Riyadh Airbase from Sanaa on Thursday.  Prince Khaled emphasized that Saudi armed forces had driven away all Yemeni intruders from its territory, adding that the Kingdom held 500 captives. 'We'll not rest until we know the whereabouts of the remaining missing soldiers,' he said.. ..On Monday, the rebels set free the first of the five Saudi soldiers they captured during three months of clashes on the border. 'Two more captives remain with the intruders. We don't know whether they are alive or not,' the prince said.." [more]

Saudi Grand Mufti Denounces Terror [Feb 19]
"Saudi Arabia's top religious authority on Friday denounced terror attacks as un-Islamic and condemned the killing of civilians, saying such attacks have nothing to do with the Muslim religion. 'Terrorism is criminal and spills the blood of innocents,' said Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, the kingdom's senior most cleric. 'It attacks security, spreads terror among the people and creates problems for society. Such acts are forbidden by Islamic law," he said in a statement reported on the official SPA news agency. 'It is necessary to fight against the attempts by some to attach terrorism to Islam and Muslims with the goal of distorting the religion and to assail its leadership role in the world,' he added.."  [more]

Saudi Prince Accused of Murder Appears in UK Court [Feb 19]
" A Saudi Arabian prince has appeared in a British court charged with murdering his assistant in a luxury London hotel room. Thirty-three-year-old Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Nasir Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is accused of killing Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz, also from Saudi Arabia, at the Landmark Hotel. Police found the 32-year-old victim's body in his suite on Monday. An autopsy shows he died of strangulation and head injuries. The prince - whose grandfather is a brother of the current Saudi king, Abdullah - appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday to confirm his personal details. He was assisted by an Arabic interpreter during the brief hearing. Judge Timothy Workman remanded him in custody and ordered him to appear at court again on May 28.." [more]

Saudi Property Owners to Get Compensation [Feb 19]
"Owners of properties expropriated for the expansion of the Haram Mosque (Grand Mosque) in Makkah will be given compensations totalling 40 billion riyals (Dh39 billion). More than 1,000 properties in the northern and western areas have already been demolished in Phase 1. Hundreds of buildings in the northern Gaza area will be demolished in the second phase. The expansion will change the face of the Haram area to accommodate an additional 500,000 worshippers by creating more prayer space in the north and northwestern parts of the holiest mosque in Islam.." [more]

France Risks Shariah Credentials Over Delay in Sukuk [Feb 19]
"France must host a Sukuk issuance this year to show it is serious about Islamic finance and overcome the legal uncertainties that caused a delay to a 1 billion euro ($1.37 billion) issuance, a lawyer working on the deal said Wednesday. At least one French Islamic corporate bond, or Sukuk, had been expected last year but was delayed by legal hurdles. 'In 2010 we need to have at least one Sukuk issuance if we want to really move forward and have France playing a major role in the development of Islamic finance in Europe,' said Gilles Saint Marc, a lawyer and a member of the Islamic Finance committee at Paris Europlace, the body which promotes the French capital’s financial district. France and Britain have been involved in a tentative race to take a lead on Sukuk issuance in Europe, although appetite on the continent has been dampened in the wake of wranglings over debt in Dubai.." [more]

Saudi Envoy Praises India for Continuing Dialogue With Pakistan [Feb 19]
"Saudi Arabia’s envoy to India has praised New Delhi for taking the initiative to talk to Pakistan, saying peace between the two countries is important for peace in South West Asia. Talking exclusively to ANI, Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad said: 'We praise the Indian Government for the decision to continue dialogue. I think it is a very important step.' 'We will continue to do whatever is in our position to see that relations between these two important countries — India and Pakistan — remains peaceful, because peace between these two countries means peace in South West Asia,' he added. The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will hold talks on February 25 in New Delhi.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 18]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Foils Terror Attack [Feb 18]
"Saudi forces have foiled a major terror attack, after Ahmed Qateem Mohammad Al Hidhli, the number 10 on the Interior Ministry’s 'most wanted' list was arrested from his hideout in Yanbu near Madinah.. ..'Investigators are studying the details of his plans,' Major General Mansour Al Turki said. The remaining terrorists on the list have been urged to come forth to the authorities and surrender. 'We will deal with each case separately taking into the account the crimes they have committed and ask them to take advantage of a counselling program launched by the ministry to correct their ways and lead a normal life,' he added.. ..Earlier, Al Qaida claimed that Al Hidhli was killed in Afghanistan, in an apparent attempt to hide his true whereabouts. However, security forces’ information proved accurate that he was alive and his name was placed on the 'most wanted' list.."  [more]

US Delegation Visits Effat University [Feb 18]
"A delegation of US congressional senior aides and advisers met with Effat University students and faculty on Wednesday. The delegation comprised more than 20 people, headed by Gordon Clark, the chief of staff in the office of Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.). The meeting started with a presentation outlining Effat University’s colleges, centers, activities and events. The delegation and its hosts discussed Effat’s involvement in producing qualified professionals for the job market.. ..They also discussed the exchange students programs. Effat is host to students from different countries, including China, Japan, US, Nigeria, and other Arab countries. The two sides also discussed Effat’s master’s degree programs in executive management, Islamic studies, French language and culture.."  [more]

Insurance Sector to Consolidate in 2010 [Feb 18]
"The Gulf Arab region insurance industry, both conventional and Islamic, will see 'significant' deals between firms during the next 18 months as they consolidate to tap huge growth potential, lawyers said on Thursday. 'They will be significant in terms of jurisdiction and in terms of names' Peter Hodgins, partner at international law firm Clyde & Co, told the Reuters Islamic Banking and Finance Summit in Dubai, adding two or three deals in 2010 would be significant.. ..The takaful sector, estimated to be worth $7.4 billion in 2009, is expected grow to as much as $15 billion by 2015, industry experts say. 'There are 179 insurance companies, including takaful, in the GCC issuing $10.4 billion of insurance premiums. That's around a quarter of the insurance premiums of Belgium,' he said. 'Saudi Arabia has 29 insurance companies and a population of 28 million. That's a huge market with an insurance penetration of 0.6 percent,' he added.." [more]

Yemen, Saudi to Sign 6 Financing Agreements [Feb 18]
"Yemen and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will sign about six financing agreements under the Saudi grant to Yemen, the weekly 26septmebr reported on Thursday. The Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Hisham Sharaf said that the agreements are to be signed during the meetings of the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council to be kicked off on February 27.. ..The financing agreements will be in areas of roads, rural roads, power, vocational, Sharaf said, adding that the meeting would also discussed cooperation in fields of health, education, power linking between the two countries and ease the exports flow in addition to encourage the common investments.."  [more]

Saudi Clerics Denouce Recently Released Book By American Paramedic [Feb 18]
"Paramedic to the Prince" released in December 2009 has been denounced by leading Saudi clerics and banned by the Saudi ministry of information for what they claim are distorted comments relating to the Prophet Mohammed and Islam. The author, Patrick Tom Notestine denied any intent to insult or distort Islam in his nonfiction first hand account of an American Paramedics ten year adventure working inside one of the most fundamentalist Islamic countries on the globe. From the blood and carnage of the emergency room, to the royal palaces of the 'House of Saud'. Where the author was on the private medical staff of King Abdullah Ibn Al-Saud. The book takes you into all levels of Saudi society. This is one mans unvarnished version of this secretive Saudi Kingdom.." [more]

Saudi Company Joins Hands With British Exhibition Group [Feb 18]
"The National Exhibition Company (NEC) has formed a new partnership with one of the world’s largest publicly owned organizers of conferences and courses to organize events in the Kingdom. The NEC has signed the agreement with British company Informa Group Plc to establish 'Informa Saudi Arabia.'.. ..Abdullah Marie Bin Mahfouz, board member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and head of its Center for Forums and Events, welcomed the agreement saying it is in line with the instruction of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to make Jeddah a center for international forums, conventions and exhibitions. He added that the JCCI is striving in its new year to increase the numbers of exhibitions that take place at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center from 16 exhibitions to 30. He added that last year saw a sudden halt in the number of exhibitions, something that led many companies and Saudis to travel abroad to attend conferences, including Middle East countries.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 17]~~~~~~~~~

Clinton Introduces New OIC Envoy Hussain [Feb 17]
"..After a 30-minute meeting with OIC Secretary-General Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu, both emerged with complimentary comments on the conducive talks that took place behind closed doors. She later formally introduced Rashed Hussein as US special envoy to the OIC. The secretary-general further highlighted the positive strides that the US and Muslim nations are taking and referred to Obama’s speech in Cairo as a genuine vision of future collaboration between the West and the Muslim world. Exuding optimism, Hussein, 31, was hopeful that his appointment would bring the US and the Muslim world closer.. ..Hussein stated the United States has an 'unwavering commitment' to a solution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He further elaborated by saying that it was the main topic between King Abdullah and the secretary of state over the past couple days, but that 'it is something that cannot be solved overnight.' This marks the first time a US state secretary has paid an official visit to the OIC.."  [more]

Saudi Seen Leading 2010 Sukuk Issuance [Feb 17]
"Sukuk bond issuance in the Middle East will range between 10 and 15 in 2010, with demand mainly expected to come from Saudi Arabia, said Mohd Daud Bakar, managing director of Amanie Islamic Finance Consultancy and Education LLC. Speaking at the Reuters Islamic Finance Summit in Dubai Wednesday, Bakar said Saudi Arabia will lead the sukuk pipeline this year as it funds infrastructure projects. Bakar said the kingdom has the economy and population to support such projects. He added that his firm has two to three mandates for sukuk issues in 2010, mainly coming out of the kingdom.. ..Saudi Arabia is seen as the biggest market for activity this year with industry players keen to make a wider push into the world's largest oil exporter.." [more]

Opposition Figure Abroad Mediated Saudi-Houthi Truce [Feb 17]
"A southern prominent opposition figure living abroad was reported to have mediated a truce between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels after the first was brought into a six-year conflict between the Yemeni army and the insurgents months ago, diplomat sources told the News Yemen. Hidar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, former prime minister of the republic of Yemen who fled after the 1994 civil war between the north and south, was the mediator, according to the sources that asked not to be named. The sources also said the truce was reached in Germany by Saudi ambassador in Berlin and the brother of the rebel leader who was killed in 2004 Yahya Al-Houthi, currently living in Germany. Days after the truce, the current rebel leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi announced an initiative to withdraw from Saudi regions and ceasefire with the Saudi army.." [more]

Powerful Biz Delegation Accompanying PM on Saudi Visit [Feb 17]
"Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani, IT honchos Azim Premji and S Ramadorai and Chairmen of oil PSUs will accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his maiden visit to Saudi Arabia from February 27 when the two countries will ink nine pacts. Arguably the most powerful, the industrial delegation would explore strategic relations with the oil rich nation during Singh's two-day visit during which a contract to set up a USD 750 million joint investment fund will be signed to which Saudi Arabia will contribute USD 500 million.." [more]

Wanted Saudi in List of 85 Terrorists Arrested [Feb 17]
"A wanted Saudi terrorist was arrested in Yanbu on Wednesday, according to a spokesman of the Ministry of Interior. He was No. 10 in the list of wanted 85 Saudi terrorists published last year. The terror suspects still have the opportunity to turn themselves in and return to the right path, the spokesman said, adding that special teams have been sent to track down these terrorists.."  [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 16]~~~~~~~~~

Abdullah, Clinton Hold Talks [Feb 16]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, held a meeting with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Rawdha Khuraim on the outskirts of the city of Riyadh Monday.. ..During the meeting with the King, the developments in Palestine and the international efforts to revive the troubled peace process in the region were discussed. 'The peace process is the main issue, of course,' said Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman Osama Nugali. 'Our position is still the same that we need to revive the peace process.' A number of other local and international issues were also on the agenda of the talks. Clinton’s top assistant for the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman, told reporters traveling with her that China had an 'important trading relationship' with Saudi Arabia. 'We would expect them (the Saudis) to use their relationship in ways that can help increase the pressure that Iran feels,' said Feltman.." [more]

Saudi FM Expresses Doubt Over Iran Sanctions, Calls For Immediate Measures [Feb 16]
"Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Monday expressed doubts about the usefulness of more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. Prince Saud Al Faisal told a news conference in the Saudi capital that the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions demands a more immediate solution than sanctions. He described sanctions as a long-term solution, and he said the threat is more pressing. The Saudi minister spoke at a joint appearance with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is in the Arabian Gulf to shore up support for new sanctions against Iran. The Saudi minister also said efforts supported by the US to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons must apply to Israel.. ..US officials traveling with Clinton said privately they were uncertain what al-Faisal meant, since the Saudi government has been explicit in its support of sanctions against Iran.." [more]

Sacking of 10 Onizah Imams Legal: Official [Feb 16]
"The decision to terminate the services of 10 imams in Onizah was neither random nor unreasonable, according to Fahd Al-Khalifa, Director of Endowment and Mosques in Onizah. Reacting to the disapproval expressed by some worshippers, he said the dismissal was perfectly legal. He pointed out that 'the Islamic Shariah forbids the dismissal of any imam randomly without good reasons or legal grounds'. The reason for the termination of the services of the imams, he said, was 'their inclination to exaggerate and overplay events to serve their ulterior motives'.." [more]

GCC Urged to be Prepared for Counter Trade Measures [Feb 16]
"'Smarter reaction' instead of a 'blunt retaliation' from the Gulf countries would prove more effective in countering fresh moves by the West on the imposition of new tariffs on oil. This call was made at the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) on Monday during a panel discussion on 'Tackling protectionism in trade and investment.'  Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, director general of international economic relations at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), suggested that the GCC should preserve its ability to take 'targeted counter measures,' if other countries impose new tariffs on oil, gas or petrochemicals.. ..He said the Europeans want to impose new tariffs on oil in the name of fighting climate change. This would be in addition to the already exorbitant internal taxes that almost every European country levies on oil. Similarly, in the United States, he said, there is renewed talk about the $2 tax on imported oil. 'What is a country like Saudi Arabia to do then?'.." [more]

For Clinton, a Bit of Wellesley in Saudi Arabia [Feb 16]
"Instead of one of the huge state-run universities, the US Secretary of State has chosen for her American-style 'town hall' meeting Saudi Arabia's most elite private university for women.. ..Only 10 years old, Dar al-Hekma was established to meet the demands of internationally oriented women who want good jobs, said Saleha Abedin, vice dean of institutional advancement.. ..Unlike other universities, its US-designed curriculum requires women to do volunteer community service and encourages participation in sports, another traditional no-no. And while it requires, like all Saudi institutions, Islamic courses, Abedin underscores the difference. 'We teach things like the history of women in Islam,' she said. The students are Saudis and non-Saudis who grew up in the kingdom, mostly from Jeddah, because the campus lacks dormitories. It isn't cheap, with tuition of about $15,000 (£9,564) a year more in the US range. The college has more than a resemblance to Clinton's Wellesley: the two have a cooperative relationship which involves student exchanges and some course programming.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Saada Truce [Feb 16]
"Saudi Arabia has strongly welcomed the deal of the ceasefire between Yemen's government and al-Houthi rebels in Saada province, northern Yemen.. ..Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a press conference with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton confirmed the importance of coordinating efforts to provide assistance to Yemen, pointing out that the U.S. government is committed to its obligations announced in the London conference on Yemen held January 27. 'We are committed to increased assistance to Yemen in order to address the political, economic and security challenges that Yemen faces, especially its efforts in fighting terrorism', said Clinton.. ..Saada has witnessed a sporadic six-year war between the government troops and al-Houthi rebels since 2004. The last round of the war was erupted in August 2009.." [more]

Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia [Feb 16]
"Moody's Investors Service raised its credit ratings on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, citing its strong budget position, a resilient banking system, current-account surplus and ample foreign-exchange reserves. The ratings firm also pointed to proven crude-oil reserves of 264 billion barrels of state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co., also known as Saudi Aramco, which Moody's said are the largest of any national or private oil company.. .. Saudi Arabia's government didn't 'participate in the rating process,' Moody's said in a statement Monday, adding that the rating was initiated by Moody's. 'The upgrade was prompted by the continued strong state of government finances, which have largely withstood oil price volatility and the global economic crisis,' the ratings agency said. The outlook on the ratings is stable, Moody's said. 'For Saudi Arabia's rating to move upward, Moody's will assess prospects for the continued strength in public-sector finances and the success of the government's infrastructure program in improving the country's long-term competitiveness and economic strength,'.." [more]

Saudi Gender Separation Slowing Growth [Feb 16]
" Swedish minister, and the only female speaker on the agenda at the Jeddah Economic Forum, has said that gender separation in certain fields in Saudi Arabia is hindering productivity. Sweden’s Minister of Trade Ewa Bjorling told the Arab News that Saudi women had huge potential, and that their expertise should be utilised. 'I feel that a country needs to focus on making use of both genders in order for it to be productive in contributing to the economy and benefiting the nation,' Bjorling said. 'I believe competence should be the only criteria when deciding in someone’s favor, not gender. I also feel that it is very important to solve this situation as gender separation in certain fields in the country is hindering productivity.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 15]~~~~~~~~~

Clinton Expected to Seek Saudi Arabia's Help in Confronting Iran [Feb 15]
"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton begins a difficult diplomatic assignment Monday in Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally. By all accounts, President Obama's meeting with King Abdullah last year went poorly over misunderstandings on a variety of issues, and now Clinton seeks to rebuild ties. Clinton, who landed in Riyadh Monday afternoon, is expected to have lengthy meetings with the king, a tough, no-nonsense leader, at a tent compound about a 90-minute drive from the capital.. ..Clinton will also seek to win pledges from Saudi Arabia to help on the confrontation with Iran, specifically reassuring China that its oil supply will not be harmed if relations with Tehran sour over support for international sanctions. Riyadh had been highly skeptical of this idea, which has been promoted by Ross, but U.S. officials traveling with Clinton have dropped broad hints that the Saudis already have made such an approach to China.." [more]

Call to End Saudi Election Ban on Women [Feb 15]
"..In 2005, Saudi Arabia held municipal elections for the first time since the 1960, but women were excluded. Currently, the four-year term of the municipal councils is expired as elections were due in 2009. Dr. Muflih Al Qahtani, chairman of NSHR, said that denying women's rights by preventing them to vote or run in elections was a flagrant violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, of which Saudi Arabia signed on December 18, 1979. Saudi Arabia then joined the convention in 2000 and changed its electoral law so that "all citizens" could vote. Before the 2005 elections, authorities claimed there was not enough time to organise segregated voting facilities for women, but hinted that women would be allowed to vote in the next elections. 'Currently, no steps have been taken to ensure women's participation in the next elections,' Al Qahtani told Al Madinah Daily.." [more]

Yemen Rebels Hand Over Saudi Soldier [Feb 15]
"Yemeni rebels have handed over one Saudi soldier to a mediation committee keeping four others with them until Saudi Arabia hands over their prisoners. The spokesman for the rebels, Mohammad Abdul Salam, said that they handed the Saudi prisoner Yahya Abdullah to show their good intentions to both Yemen and Saudi governments and also because of the injuries of the prisoner. Al Houthi wants his men to be released first by both Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said the independent sources. Holding back the remaining four Saudi prisoners may obstruct the work of the field committees, which supervise the implementation of the government's six conditions accepted by the rebels for ending the six-year-old armed rebellion.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Says Peak Demand for Oil Is an ‘Alarm’ [Feb 15]
" Saudi Arabia must be 'very serious' about any possible peak in oil demand, which is an 'alarm' for OPEC’s biggest exporter to diversify its economy, a Saudi oil ministry adviser said. Saudi Arabia is making a push into renewable energy and is starting its first carbon capture project, Oil Ministry adviser Mohammad al-Sabban said today at the World Economic Forum in the Saudi city of Jeddah. The country will start injecting carbon dioxide into Ghawar, the world’s largest oil field, in 2012, he said. Oil demand in some developed industrialized nations is contracting, partly as a result of the economic slowdown. Those concerns are different to so-called 'peak oil' theorists who say oil production has already reached maximum levels and will inevitably decline.. ..World demand may plateau at 100 to 105 million barrels a day, Adnan Shihab-Eldin, a former acting OPEC secretary general, said in Jeddah today. Climate policies may further reduce oil demand in future years.." [more]

New Saudi Mortgage Law Permits Foreclosure [Feb 15]
'Saudi Arabia's long-awaited mortgage law will give lenders more rights including the ability to foreclose on properties in default, according to a draft seen by Reuters, appeasing lenders nervous about jumping into the kingdom's real estate market. The arrival of the mortgage law is expected to drive Saudi housing demand and prices as more people access the market. The sharia-compliant legislation, which has not been finalized yet, allows lenders to enforce their mortgages by reporting debtors to a central authority and forcing them to either repay their debt or vacate a property. 'This is a huge development and the draft is a step in the right direction,'.. ..The draft law also addresses concerns over subprime mortgages, implementing a "safety ratio" which will prevent lenders from giving financing beyond the means of the consumer. Specifics regarding the ratio have yet to be established.." [more]

Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia [Feb 15]
"Moody's Investors Service Monday raised its credit ratings on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, citing its strong budget position, a resilient banking system, current account surplus and ample foreign exchange reserves. The ratings firm also pointed to proven crude oil reserves of 264 billion barrels of state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Company, also known as Saudi Aramco, which it said are the largest of any national or private oil company.. ..Explaining its rationale for the upgrades, Moody's said the government's finances have largely withstood oil-price volatility and the global economic crisis. A return in the budget to a moderate surplus—from an estimated small deficit in 2009—will restore the Kingdom's debt trajectory back on its former improving trend, even with continued large-scale infrastructure spending, Moody's said. Saudi Arabia's banking system has also demonstrated the ability to absorb and contain shocks emanating from the global financial crisis.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 14]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Prisoners in Yemen to be Handed Over [Feb 14]
"The five Saudi prisoners, held by Al Houthi rebels during the war, will be handed over to the Yemeni government, said sources close the mediation on Sunday. The prisoners will then be handed over to Saudi authorities.. ..Handing over the Saudi prisoners was the first condition by the Saudi government. The Saudi authorities also want the Yemeni troops to deploy in the border areas where Al Houthi rebels were positioned. The spokesman of Al Houthi rebels, Mohammad Abdul Al Salam, said the Saudi prisoners would be handed to the mediator Nasser Kersha.  The Saudi army liberated about 25 prisoners after Al Houthi rebels arrested about 30 Saudi soldiers during battles with the Saudi forces, which erupted early November after the rebels launched attacks in Saudi.." [more]

Kingdom Wants Self-Sufficiency in Arms Production [Feb 14]
"Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, on Saturday emphasized the need for Saudi Arabia to achieve self-sufficiency in weapons by manufacturing them in the Kingdom. 'Every country aims to achieve 100 percent local production of weapons to ensure independent political decisions and avoid surprises during armed conflicts,' the minister said while opening an exhibition of military spare parts in Riyadh.. ..The minister urged Saudi academics and researchers to make all-out efforts in order for the Kingdom to reach the level of developed countries and achieve self-sufficiency in weapons and military equipment. 'We have to make a scientific plan and have strong determination to achieve this goal,' he said.." [more]

U.S. Economy Seen Growing; Dollar Good For Saudi [Feb 14]
"The United States economy should keep growing this year despite a fragile global recovery, a top Treasury official said at an economic conference on Sunday. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's central bank governor said the greenback serves Saudi Arabia well as a peg but may face competition as the world's reserve currency in future.  Growth of the world's biggest economy is expected to cool this year after a burst of activity late last year.. ..The dollar is serving Saudi Arabia's economy well, although its reserve currency status could be challenged as the euro is gaining in importance, the country's central bank head said. 'Given the substantial benefits of being a reserve currency in lowering the cost of borrowing one should expect competition for the dollar in the future, especially because developed economies have substantially higher government debt burdens then a few years ago,' said Muhammad al-Jasser, Governor of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA).." [more]

'High Govt Spending Will Be Main Engine of Saudi Growth’ [Feb 14]
"The Saudi economy is expected to improve in 2010. Growth will pick up, credit will become more readily available and the government budget will return to surplus. High government spending will be the main engine of growth, with the private sector making a greater contribution as credit conditions improve. A reviving global economy should keep oil prices around their current levels and will increase demand for the exports. Lack of confidence was an important factor holding back the Kingdom’s economy in 2009. This was reflected in a fall in bank lending, restrained corporate and consumer spending and a subdued stock market. Economic data suggest that confidence has begun to improve and Jadwa Investment expects a virtuous circle in which this feeds into higher spending, boosting corporate performance, lifting share prices and encouraging banks to lend. As a result, real growth of the non-oil private sector is forecast to rise to 3.8 percent; total real GDP growth is projected at the same level.." [more]

US Trade Mission Eyes Holy Cities [Feb 14]
"For the first time, a US trade mission is aiming to reach businessmen in the two holy cities. “Our missions have been visiting the three big cities (Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam) on a regular basis, but it is perhaps for the first time they have chosen to strengthen their presence in Makkah and Madinah in addition to Jeddah,” Amer M. Kayani, counselor for commercial affairs at the US Embassy in Riyadh, said at the mission’s business meeting here on Saturday. The markets in the holy cities are ever expanding due to religious tourism. In addition to traditional sectors, the delegation is exploring new areas including renewable energy, and smart building and wastewater technologies.." [more]

Zain Saudi Arabia Inks LTE Deal with Motorola [Feb 14]
"Telecom operator Zain Saudi Arabia has signed a deal with Motorola to upgrade its mobile network to fourth generation technology Long Term Evolution (LTE), the first deal of its kind in KSA. The deal will see Motorola deploy what it described as the largest LTE network for Zain in Riyadh, with an end-to-end LTE solution, devices and optimisation and integration services. Work on the network upgrade will begin in the second quarter of the year, and Zain Saudi Arabia's chief operating officer Ismail Fikree said the roll out will help to address the mobile broadband needs of consumers in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Saudi Switch to Bank Deposit Investment [Feb 14]
"Saudi Arabia is switching to bank deposits at the expense of securities in its overseas investment strategy to ensure access to ready cash to support its expanding fiscal stimulus plans, a key Saudi bank said yesterday.  After dipping by more than 37 per cent in the first nine months of 2009, deposits with banks abroad held by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama), the kingdom's central bank, leaped by nearly 41 per cent in the fourth quarter, including about 25 per cent in December alone.. ..The shift followed a steady decline in Sama's assets through most of 2009 before rebounding by around 4.2 per cent in December to peak at nearly 109.8 per cent of the country's nominal GDP in 2009.." [more]

Saudi's Nadec to Obtain Farmland in Sudan [Feb 14]
"Saudi-based National Agricultural Development Co (Nadec) said on Sunday it has completed procedures to obtain a 42,000-hectare farmland in Sudan. Saudi Arabia has urged companies to invest in farm projects abroad after abandoning a 30-year old programme for self sufficiency in wheat in 2008. The programme depleted the desert kingdom's scarce water supplies. The decision forced many local agricultural companies growing wheat for the domestic market to explore alternatives to compensate for the drop in revenues. The farmland is located in the Nile province.. ..Nadec is led by the wealthy Saudi al-Rajhi family and is 20 percent owned by the finance ministry's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Nadec sales in 2009 were 1.33 billion Saudi riyals.." [more]

Feb 7-Feb 13, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 13]~~~~~~~~~

Kingdom Biggest Arab Donor For Development [Feb 13]
"The Kingdom has been ranked as the biggest Arab donor in terms of development assistance to other countries, an Arab economic report said. It noted that the Kingdom came first as the biggest Arab donor at the rate of 81.1 percent with a total amount of $5.7billion. The report, which was issued by the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, said that the total development assistance in 2008 amounted to nearly $7 billion, an increase of 97.2 percent compared with 2007. Most of this assistance came from member states of the GCC, the report said, adding that Kuwait ranked second with 8.1 percent with a total amount of $568 million, UAE third with a total of $561million, followed by Qatar with an amount of $171 million and Oman $25 million.." [more]

Clinton to Build Case for Iran Sanctions on Gulf Tour [Feb 13]
"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads Saturday to Qatar and Saudi Arabia to build the US case for tougher sanctions over Iran's nuclear plans in meetings with key Arab and Muslim leaders. Clinton will also pursue the Obama administration's bid to promote Arab-Israeli peace and 'turn the page' on ties with Muslim countries -- the latter in a speech to the US-Islamic World Forum in the Qatari capital Doha.. ..Clinton may ask the Saudis -- whom she sees Monday and Tuesday following a speech to the US-Islamic World Forum -- to offer the Chinese increased oil supplies to try to win Beijing's backing for sanctions against Iran. China imports much of its oil from Iran.  'I wouldn't rule it out that that might be part of the discussions,' a senior State Department official told AFP when asked whether the chief US diplomat would make such an appeal to the Saudis to win over China. China appears to be the sole holdout to sanctions among the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, which is also composed of the United States, Russia, Britain and France.."  [more]

Saudi Yansab Says to Start Full Output in March [Feb 13]
"Saudi-based Yanbu National Petrochemical Co said it would start full commercial production on March 1, the biggest and first output addition this year by its 51 percent parent company Saudi Basic Industries Corp.. ..Since its inception four years ago, Yansab spent about 18.9 billion riyals ($5.04 billion) -- about 12.5 billion riyals of which were loans -- to build its petrochemical complex, according to its 2009 financial statement. The complex has a total annual production capacity of about 4 million tonnes, including 900,000 tonnes of polyethylene, 400,000 tonnes of polypropylene and 700,000 tonnes of monoethylene glycol. SABIC, the world's biggest bulk chemicals company by market value, hopes that affiliates -- such as Yansab, Sharq and its joint-venture with China's Sinopec -- coupled with demand from China would underpin a profit recovery in 2010.." [more]

Saudi Aramco's Energy Ties With Japan Grow Stronger [Feb 13]
" The relationship between Saudi Aramco and Japan benefits both and is growing more multifaceted, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Mohammed A.Al-Omair, executive director of Refining and NGL Fractionation, as saying. In his keynote address entitled "Management of Hydrocarbon Resources," at a recently held 28th International Symposium of JCCP (Japan Cooperation Center-Petroleum), Al-Omair said, 'Saudi Aramco highly values our longstanding and mutually beneficial relations with Japan as a company deeply involved in the Japanese economy as a major supplier, refiner and marketer of crude oil and petroleum products.'.. ..'while there are worthy aspirations for the development of renewable and alternative energy in the future, sound projections indicate that Japan, like other leading nations, will continue to rely upon petroleum for decades to come.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Launches Solar Energy Programme [Feb 13]
"Aiming to stabilise future power and water supplies in the country, Saudi Arabia has begun work on the first solar-powered water desalination plant, the first step in a three-part programme to introduce solar energy into the Kingdom. The programme, launched by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), aims to help stabilise future power and water supplies inside Saudi Arabia through the creation of solar-powered desalination facilities, an official statement said. Water desalination is critical to providing clean drinking water around the world. Today, Saudi Arabia produces 18 per cent of the world's desalinated water. By building water desalination plants that run on solar energy, the Kingdom can reduce operational costs and in turn, reduce consumer costs.."  [more]

'Manned’ Lingerie Shops Targeted [Feb 13]
"The second phase of a yearlong campaign to get rid of men who work as sales clerks in lingerie shops has commenced with activists calling for a two-week boycott of such shops starting on Saturday. The move comes four years after the Labor Ministry had announced an initiative to employ women in these shops. Since the announcement was made in 2005, nothing has been done, boycott organizers have said. For their part, lingerie shop owners have viewed the ministry’s decision as optional and the ministry has denied the initiative was canceled or postponed.  'If you really care about women’s rights and you are in Saudi Arabia, then starting from the 12th of February 2010 and for two weeks boycott all lingerie shops that employ men,'.. ..Islamic scholars like Ghazi Al-Shammari have endorsed the boycott. 'I am sure that most women do not feel comfortable purchasing their lingerie from shops that are run by men,' the scholar said, urging businessmen to follow the direction of the Labor Ministry and replace male sales clerks with women.."  [more]

Global Market Slump Affects Saudi Stocks [Feb 13]
"Saudi shares were volatile last week with investors responding clearly to the retreat on world markets that analysts attributed to the negative news regarding the debt dilemma in euro countries, particularly Greece, Spain and Portugal and the disappointing unemployment report released in the United States. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) shed 0.89 percent last week, closing at 6,225.48 points. TASI is currently 1.7 percent higher than the year’s start. The Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group’s (BIG) weekly report partly attributed the weakness of the Saudi market last week to the decline of the petrochemical sector in response to falling oil prices.." [more]

Saudi Orders End to Free Roaming Service [Feb 13]
"Saudi Arabia's telecom watchdog has ordered the kingdom's three mobile phone firms to end a bar on charging a roaming premium on incoming calls made abroad from Saudi-registered phones, the three firms said. Officials at the CITC watchdog could not be reached for comment. But Zain Saudi Arabia said in a statement that it would implement the decision as of Saturday and would later announce fees for the service. Kuwait's Zain holds a 25-percent stake in Zain Saudi Arabia.. ..CITC issued the decision because many clients had been subscribing to Saudi mobile services while living elsewhere. Saudi Arabia is home to about 8 million expatriates from dozens of countries. CITC wants a rate to be fixed for the reception of roaming calls, which will probably be half the cost of an international call from Saudi Arabia, sources at the three firms said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 12]~~~~~~~~~

Forum Looks at 10-Year Economic Outlook [Feb 12]
"Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, is scheduled to launch Saturday the 10th Jeddah Economic Forum, held this year under the banner, 'The Global Economy 2020'. Forum supervisor Abdul Aziz Bin Saqr said the four-day event provides a showcase for the Kingdom’s role in the Arab and Islamic worlds and the international community, represented in its 'considerable economic and political weight', and its 'focused vision and sense of responsibility towards development in the region and the world.' 'This has become evident in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ vision presented before world leaders at the G20 summit in November 2008, during which he outlined the principle features of the Kingdom’s role in supporting world growth,'.." [more]

King Abdullah to Open Environment Forum [Feb 12]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will open the three-day first Saudi environment and sustainable development event being held at the Jeddah Hilton from March 7-9, according to its organizer Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME). Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation and Prince Turki bin Nasser, president of the PME, are also supporting the event. With climate change on a worldwide agenda, a number of sponsors are supporting the event, including GEMS-Utileco, the National Commercial Bank, SAES-Enviro, CH2M Olayan, Philips Electronic, Haif Company AES International and Riyadh Techno Valley.." [more]

Clinton Delays Visit to Qatar, Saudi Arabia Over Husband's Health [Feb 12]
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has delayed her scheduled visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia by a day over her husband's health, said a State Department official on Thursday. According to the official, Secretary Clinton will leave on Saturday instead of Friday for Qatar and Saudi Arabia.. ..In her visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Clinton is to meet with leaders from both countries and speak at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum. The United States has renewed its push to restart the stalled Middle East peace talks. U.S. envoy George Mitchell has made shuttle visits to the region, holding talks with both Palestinians and Israelis.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Exports Lower Crude Volumes to US Markets [Feb 12]
"Late 2009, Saudi Arabia gave up its oil storage lease at the St Eustatius terminal in the Caribbean to Petrochina. The transfer of a lease held by the Saudis since the mid-1990s looked like the latest indication of a diminishing commitment to the US market. Saudi Aramco's Caribbean storage has been an important background feature of the Western Hemisphere oil market over the years, enabling the Saudis to move barrels quickly into key areas when needed. Now, the kingdom is seeking storage in Asia and has been talking for some time to the Japanese.. ..The Saudis have made no secret of their increasing focus on Asia, which is expected to provide the bulk of future growth in oil demand and which accounted for 52.7% of Saudi oil exports in 2008 -- up from 47.9% in 2005.. ..But while the kingdom remains a major supplier to the US, its volumes and share of total crude imports have fallen back sharply, particularly over the past year.." [more]

Al-Saha TV’s Local Office Shut Down [Feb 12]
"The Ministry of Information has closed down the Riyadh office of poetry channel Al-Saha. The decision was made because the television channel does not have a license to operate in the Kingdom. Members of the public also complained that Al-Saha was airing poem recitals that attacked various tribes, causing tribal conflicts. Local newspapers on Thursday quoted ministry spokesman Abdul Rahman Al-Haza as saying that the channel’s office was closed down on Tuesday and the case transferred to the ministry’s violations committee.. ..Al-Saha previously aired a poem where a poet attacked a tribe, leading to complaints from the tribe’s members. Channel officials publicly apologized and three employees were sacked last year. The ministry had previously closed down the LBC channel’s offices after a sex braggart appeared on one of its programs last year.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 11]~~~~~~~~~

Scholar’s Offer to Appear on Israeli TV Stirs Controversy [Feb 11]
"Saudi scholar Mohasen Al-Awaji has caused controversy by saying he is prepared to appear on Israeli television. Interviewed on Al Arabiya news channel last week, Al-Awaji said that although he has not been invited by any Israeli TV channel he would be willing to appear purely to tell the Israeli viewing public about the threat posed by Zionism. He added that appearing on Israeli TV was the right move and would help counter Israeli propaganda.. ..There has been strong opposition to Al-Awaji’s offer. Other Saudi scholars fear that it will inevitably be seen as a step toward normalizing relations with Israel. 'What Al-Awaji has proposed is a great mistake,' said Dr. Mohammad Al-Nujaimi, a member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy and professor of comparative Fiqh at the High Institute for Judicial Studies at Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh. He said Al-Awaji’s call goes against all the fatwas the ulema have issued that normalization with Israel in all its forms — politically, economically, socially and in terms of media — 'is not permissible at all.'.." [more]

OPEC Warns on Slow Recovery in 2010 [Feb 11]
"The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held its forecast for modest growth in world oil demand this year Wednesday, but warned the slow pace of economic recovery was clouding the outlook. On the other hand, world oil prices rose further, mirroring rebounding global stock markets, as hopes grew for a potential EU bailout of debt-ridden Greece, traders said.. ..'US demand is a key uncertainty for this year. Non-OECD regions will be the sole contributors to global demand growth in 2010.'.. ..there were 'several obstacles' to US demand growth, the main risk being the recovery path of the US economy. China’s strong economic growth last year contributed to 'a moderate rise in oil demand,' the OPEC report continued.." [more]

Women Participation at JEF 2010 Down From Previous Sessions [Feb 11]
"As the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) for this year draws nearer, a number of Saudi businesswomen have expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of women’s involvement. Only one of the 35 people scheduled to speak at the Feb. 13-16 event is a woman, Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Helena Bjِrling.. ..Al-Hassoun said some of the previous JEF events were well orchestrated by then-chairman of the Jeddah Marketing Board and present SAGIA chief Amr Al-Dabbagh.  'He really taught us how to work and organize a forum, making it the first-ever large-scale event that Saudi women could participate in,' she said. The number of women has grown significantly, especially under Al-Dabbagh’s direction.. ..Abdulaziz Al-Fager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, organizers of the JEF 2010, said the Jeddah Marketing Board and Khadijah Bint Khuwalid Center are responsible for inviting guests. He said that about 370 women have been invited and have registered.." [more]

Saudi Rail Project on Track [Feb 11]
"The Saudi Railway Organisation (SRO) has announced that the 450 km Haramain High Speed Railway project, linking Makkah and Medinah is on track, as it prepares to receive tenders from five prequalified companies. The tenders, now due at the end of February, are for the second and final phase of the project, which covers the establishment of the 450 km electric railroad. This package includes the construction of tracks, signals, communications infrastructure and the operational control centre. It also includes the procurement and maintenance of trains and maintenance of all infrastructure for 12 years.." [more]

Official: 73% of Cases Against Press Cleared [Feb 11]
"The Ministry of Culture and Information has cleared about 73 percent of cases regarding various violations against the press, Abdulrahman Bawazir, Secretary General of Press Violations at the ministry, has said.  All of these complaints ended without charging or taking action against anyone, the official said on the sidelines of a symposium organized by the Saudi Journalists Association here on Tuesday. The disposal of the complaints gives a strong signal that the press in the Kingdom enjoys complete freedom, he said. The ministry, he added, is currently studying several draft laws on publications, publishing and visual media which will ensure that the press has its say in matters considered crucial for the welfare of society.." [more]

BurgerFuel Opens First Store in Saudi Arabia [Feb 11]
"New Zealand gourmet burger chain Burger Fuel Worldwide Ltd has opened its first store in Saudi Arabia. The 200-seat format store opened in Dammam this week. The opening of the store before the financial year ended in March 31 had been signalled by the NZAX-listed company.. ..BurgerFuel is exporting its own New Zealand beef patties, locally produced tomato relish, vegetarian society approved vege patties and kumara fries as part of the expansion. BurgerFuel will receive on-going royalties from the stores.." [more]

University to Represent Kingdom at UN Event [Feb 11]
"Fifteen students of the American University of Rome (AUR) from five different countries, including the US, Italy and Saudi Arabia, will attend the 56th session of the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) in Boston, Massachusetts, US, a four-day event that starts on Thursday. The AUR students will be representing Saudi interests and attempting to pass resolutions which the Kingdom would support on topics ranging from the proliferation of small arms to redefining the world refugee crisis. The students have been studying Saudi Arabia’s history and policies since October 2009 in preparation for the said conference. Attending this year’s HNMUN conference will be 3,000 college and university students from the United States and 35 other countries.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 10]~~~~~~~~~

King Abdullah and Hamad Discuss Ways to Bolster Ties [Feb 10]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held talks here on Tuesday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on major regional and international issues and ways of strengthening relations between the two GCC neighbors. 'The talks focused on new developments on Gulf, Arab, Islamic and international levels,' the Saudi Press Agency said, adding that Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, and Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman attended the talks.. ..Three days before Sheikh Hamad’s visit, the largest ever business delegation to visit the Kingdom, comprising 150 entrepreneurs from Doha, came to the capital to strengthen bilateral trade. On Sunday, the Qatari delegates visited potential trade and investment facilities in the capital and held talks the following day with Saudi businessmen.." [more]

Official Confirms Hillary Clinton Qatar, Saudi Visit [Feb 10]
"The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Qatar and Saudi Arabia this weekend, officials have confirmed. While in Qatar, Clinton will meet the Gulf state’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani, the US State Department told the news AFP news agency. The chief US diplomat is scheduled for talks with Saudi’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, and foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. Her visits are part of efforts to boost ties with Muslim nations and revive Arab-Israeli peace talks, the agency reported. While in Saudi Arabia, Clinton is likely to discuss with leaders the threat from Al-Qaeda in neighbouring Yemen.." [more]

Controversial Saudi Literary Club President Dismissed [Feb 10]
"A controversial head of a literary club in Saudi Arabia was dismissed on Tuesday after leveling a false accusation to another club member. Ahmad Hamid Al Mass'ad, President of the southern Al Baha Literary Club was quickly replaced with the deputy chairman, Mohammad Al Zahrani until the board of directors meet and elect a new chairman.. ..The club Chairman Ahmad Hamid Al Mass'ad triggered a controversy last week when he lodged a complaint with police against Dr. Ali Mohammad Al Rubai, one member of the club, that the latter wanted a 'live broadcast' of a woman's lecture to the men's side of the hall at a poetry event held recently at the Al Khansa Hall of the Club. His allegation was that Al Rubai's request to transmit pictures of the women to the men's side was 'satanic'. Al Rubai immediately responded by informing the police that he was falsely accused.  Al Mass'ad backtracked shortly after the matter was reported in the media, claiming he never filed a complaint with the police.." [more]

KACST Starts Initiative to Tap Solar Energy [Feb 10]
"Saudi Arabia is now looking to enter the world of solar energy with the launch of the first of a three-stage solar power initiative. In the first phase, the Saudi government and its agencies, in cooperation with the Riyadh-based King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), has begun building a desalination plant using solar power.. ..A total of nine desalination projects in Saudi Arabia alone that will be implemented at a cost of billions of riyals within a few years are currently either under study or under construction, according to a report from the state-owned Saline Water Conservation Corporation (SWCC), a major participant in the solar energy initiative.. .. the Kingdom’s population growth at a rate of about three percent — triple the world average — is also a challenge to deal with when it comes to questions of energy.." [more]

Saudi's Dar Al Arkan Raising $750m in Islamic Bonds [Feb 10]
"Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co, Saudi Arabia’s biggest property company by market value, is in the process of raising $750m in an Islamic bond sale, Deutsche Bank's Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East Henry Azzam said in Dubai on Wednesday. According to a Bloomberg report, Goldman Sachs Group, Deutsche Bank and Unicorn Investment Bank are managing the transaction, two bankers said last month, who declined to be identified before the deal is complete.." [more]

Saudi Inflation Forecast to Fall in 2010 [Feb 10]
"Inflation in Saudi Arabia is predicted to continue to fall during 2010, driven by a continuing slowdown in lending and consumer confidence, a new report said on Wednesday. Although the kingdom's rate increased slightly in December to 4.3 percent, Business Monitor International said it was 'not convinced' that the disinflation story was yet over. 'We are forecasting an end-year rate of 3 percent in 2010'.. ..BMI added that a non-negligible risk that oil prices could fall back this year could also weigh on liquidity and consumer confidence, as well as bringing overall commodity prices down. 'This would likely be accompanied by a stronger dollar, which would be a double blow for inflationary pressures. Indeed, this trend was already starting to suggest itself at the time of writing (in early February),'.." [more]

Saudis to Keep March Crude Supplies Steady to Asia [Feb 10]
"Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia will continue to supply full contracted volumes to at least two Asian term buyers in March, suggesting the kingdom is willing to meet the region's supply needs as oil prices stay near $75.  Sources at each of the term buyers said on Wednesday that state oil firm Saudi Aramco notified them they would continue to receive fully contracted crude volumes for March, something it did for January and February for most of the region. 'We expected full volumes and that's what we got,' a source at a major North Asian refiner told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The sources added there were no changes to the operational tolerance, indicating that refiners can still choose to ask for cargo to be loaded with up to 10 percent more or less crude oil from contracted volumes. On Monday, Saudi Arabia told several U.S. buyers that they would receive steady crude supplies in March.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 9]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Defends al-Qaeda Rehabilitation Scheme [Feb 9]
"Saudi Arabia says it will not give up a controversial rehabilitation programme for Islamist radicals heavily criticised in the US after former inmates set up an al-Qaeda cell in neighbouring Yemen.. ..senior officials including an Interior Ministry general and the cleric and psychologists responsible for overseeing the programme's 'religious re-indoctrination' courses told The Daily Telegraph it had been an overall success. 'We are confident in our system," said General Mansur al-Turki. "Part of that is the rehabilitation programme, and when we say that we are considering one thing - the results we are getting. We are not giving up because a few people decided to go back and share al-Qaeda activities.'..Of the 120 Saudis who have been released from Guantanamo and been seen by the centre, 11 have returned to jihad, of whom one, Mohammed al-Awfi, from the same batch as Shehri, "redefected" at the end of last year. About 180 other radicals have been sent to the centre from Saudi prisons, with a lower recidivism rate.." [more]

Be Firm With Israel, Riyadh Urges World [Feb 9]
"Arabia on Monday urged the international community to adopt a firm stand against the Israeli threat to the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon and stop its ongoing efforts to Judaize Jerusalem. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, denounced Israel’s inhuman acts against the Palestinians. It called for global efforts to stop Israel’s arbitrary arrest of Palestinian leaders and airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Members at the Cabinet meeting expressed their deep sorrow over the terrorist attacks in Iraq, which killed and injured a large number of innocent people in the country. 'Saudi Arabia rejects terrorism, wherever it may be and whoever is its source,'.." [more]

NCB Capital Launches New Shariah-Compliant Fund [Feb 9]
"A US dollar-denominated, open-ended, Shariah-compliant fund was launched Monday in Riyadh by NCB Capital, the investment banking arm of National Commercial Bank (NCB), the largest commercial bank in the Kingdom. Under the new ‘Sukuk and Murabaha Fund’, NCB Capital will invest in sukuk and Murabaha issued by highly rated companies and governments.. ..Explaining the objective of the launch, Al-Halabi noted that the new fund aims to generate a higher yield than money market investments and will benefit from a diversification across countries, sectors and companies in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region. The minimum subscription amount is fixed at $10,000, he added.." [more]

UNB Tries to Strengthen Ties With Saudi Arabia [Feb 9]
"The University of New Brunswick is strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia in an effort to retain and recruit more students from the west Asian country. University president Eddy Campbell recently returned from a week in Saudi Arabia, where he was a guest of the government.. ..Saudi Arabia awards annual scholarships to its top students for them to continue their education abroad. It's estimated that more than 8,000 Saudi students are studying at Canadian universities, with more than 300 at UNB. About 70,000 study in programs around the world. Campbell said part of his mission was to learn more about the culture so international students can feel more at home in New Brunswick. 'There are some real differences in the way the two genders are treated in Saudi Arabia,' Campbell said.. ..Campbell said another reason the university is bridging a connection with Saudi Arabia is because of the country's post-secondary education system. He said the Saudis are investing an enormous amount of money in higher learning and in the past five years have created about 15 universities.." [more]

7th Century Village Discovered in Eastern Province [Feb 9]
"A 7th century village has been unearthed in the Al-Raaka district of Dammam near the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities announced Monday. Researchers say the village has been dated to the early Muslim era.. ..The site is located behind the headquarters of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry on a parcel being developed as a contractor training center by Saudi Aramco, which holds title to the land. 'The Department of Antiquities has known about this site for more than 30 years. We knew about this in 1977, but the actual excavation commenced only three months ago. We are carrying out this exercise in cooperation with Saudi Aramco,' Al-Ghabban told Arab News. 'We undertake excavations when all elements are in place. Now was the best time to work on this site, and so we did.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 8]~~~~~~~~~

Prince Turki Clarifies Handshake Issue [Feb 8]
"Prince Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to the United States and Britain, said his handshake with Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon at an international security conference in Munich should not be seen as acquiescence to Israel’s stance on Palestinian autonomy.. ..The handshake between Prince Turki and Ayalon during a panel discussion over the weekend settled a public diplomatic spat about seating arrangements. On Saturday, a panel convened on the topic of the Middle East peace process, was to include Prince Turki and Ayalon, as well as the Turkish foreign minister, US Sen. Joe Lieberman and senior Egyptian and Russian officials.." [more]

Shoura Votes to Define Hai’a Duties [Feb 8]
"In a move to regulate the powers of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Shoura Council Sunday approved a proposal to have the rights and duties of all members spelt out in a written document. The recommendation was approved by 100 Shoura Council members, with 16 voting against the proposal. Dr. Salim Al-Qahtani, a Shoura Council member, said there was a need for each Hai’a staffer to know and understand the nature of his field work and the tasks he has been officially assigned. Also, it was important for both citizens and expatriates to know exactly whether a Hai’a staffer was carrying out his duties or simply acting on the basis of his own personal judgment. Al-Qahtani justified this move as a measure to avoid mistakes that have been made by some Hai’a members because they did not know their duties.." [more]

Afghan Leader Cancels Meeting With Muslim Body [Feb 8]
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai canceled a meeting on Wednesday with a major Muslim group in Saudi Arabia that had been aimed at helping reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. The meeting was called off because Karzai had reservations about the agenda, a senior official from the group, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said.. ..Reuters could not immediately reach OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu or Karzai's spokesman Waheed Omer. With the support of Saudi King Abdullah, the Saudi-based OIC has sought to play a bigger role in solving Muslim world crises through debate among various branches of Islam. OIC groups 57 Muslim states. King Abdullah held talks with Karzai on Wednesday, the official SPA news agency reported. It did not elaborate. Saudi Arabia has said little about Karzai's visit, which followed his call at a London conference last week for Saudi Arabia to help bring peace to Afghanistan.." [more]

Saudi Denies Flight Security Claims [Feb 8]
"Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority has denied reports that the US has demanded a raft of new security measures for US-bound air passengers flying out of the Kingdom. The reports, which fueled outrage on Saudi social networking sites, alleged the US Transport Security Administration had insisted on a range of measures. These included not allowing passengers to use the bathroom for an hour before arrival, not informing passengers of the plane’s location and not allowing passengers to have items, including blankets, in their laps prior to arrival.  However, according to Saudi daily Arab News, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation spokesman Khaled Al-Khaibari said the reports were untrue.." [more]

SFD to Give $46 Million for Lanka Dam Project [Feb 8]
"The Kingdom will contribute $46 million for the construction of a dam in Sri Lanka. A four-member delegation headed by S. Amarasekera, secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services arrived here Sunday to discuss the technical details of the project and prepare a draft agreement with the Saudi Fund For Development (SFD). The agreement will be signed later in Colombo. 'This is the seventh financial facility offered by the SFD for infrastructure development in Sri Lanka,' Abdullah Al-Shedokhi, project officer of SFD told the Daily News on Sunday. The project, he said, is known as the Moragahakande-Kaluganga reservoir project and is to be implemented by the Mahaweli Authority with co-funding from Kuwait Fund and Sri Lankan government. The project costing $113 million, will be paid for by SFD ($46 million), the Kuwait Fund ($37 million) and the Sri Lanka government ($30 million).." [more]

Disclose Haj Agreement Between India & Saudi Arabia [Feb 8]
"The Central Information Commission has directed the External Affairs Ministry to disclose the details of bilateral agreement on Haj between India and Saudi Arabia after severing the quota of pilgrims mentioned in it. The application of one RTI applicant A M Attar seeking details of the agreement was rejected by the ministry on the grounds that its disclosure would affect the relations between the two nations and other Muslim countries.."  [more]

Saudi Rights Commission Seeks Divorce For Child Bride [Feb 8]
"Saudi Arabia's human rights commission has hired a lawyer to help a 12-year-old girl divorce her 80-year-old husband, the lawyer said, a move activists hope will lead to a ban on child marriages.. ..Activists see the divorce proceedings as a test case that could pave the way for introducing a minimum age for marriage in the world's largest oil exporter, where child marriage is common in poorer tribal areas. The child's mother had earlier filed for divorce on her daughter's behalf but withdrew without giving a reason after a second court hearing in early February, bin Zahim said. The  government-affiliated rights watchdog then took over the case, again filing for divorce on the child's behalf.. ..This is the first time the commission intervenes in a case of child marriage in the kingdom, an issue that was previously seen as a "family affair" and outside of the commission's realm of duty. Saudi Arabia is a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, which considers those under the age of 18 as children.."  [more]

Saudi Arabia’s Mortgage Law to May Double Market Size [Feb 8]
"Saudi Arabian property market may double in size by 2015 if a planned mortgage law is put into effect, NCB Capital said. 'A timely implementation of the mortgage law would further support a sustained take-off in the real estate space,' chief economist Jarmo Kotilaine said in an e-mailed report today. 'We expect gradual price appreciation of some 20 percent over the next three years.' Banks have largely avoided mortgage lending in Saudi Arabia, because it lacks a legal framework for property foreclosures. The kingdom has a shortage of housing, mainly because of indigenous population growth, Banque Saudi Fransi said in a Jan. 13 report. The law will be introduced in the next few months, Central Bank Governor Muhammad al-Jasser said in January.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 7]~~~~~~~~~

Abdullah Most Popular Muslim Leader [Feb 7]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is the most popular leader in Muslim countries. About 92 percent of Jordanians and 83 percent of Egyptians say they have complete confidence that King Abdullah will do the right things in international affairs. King Abdullah received positive ratings outside the Middle East as well, especially in largely Muslim Asian nations, such as Pakistan (64 percent) and Indonesia (61 percent), according to a survey conducted by the American Pew Research Center. The survey was conducted in six predominantly Muslim nations.. ..The Pew Center said it is the second time that King Abdullah has topped the list of most popular leaders in polls conducted by it.." [more]

KSA Not to Recognise Israel Despite Handshake [Feb 7]
"A senior Saudi diplomat said Sunday his handshake with Israel's deputy foreign minister at a Munich security conference was no step toward recognition of the Jewish state. Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former intelligence chief and ex-ambassador to the United States, said his handshake Saturday with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon only came after Ayalon apologised for actions that Turki objected to. 'This event should not be taken out of context or misunderstood,' Turki said in a statement received in Riyadh. 'My strong objections and condemnations of Israel's policies and actions against the Palestinians remain unchanged.'.. ..Turki, who though currently with no official government title continues to carry out diplomatic work for the Saudi government, said the handshake came after Ayalon publicly reprimanded him for not sitting together on a panel at the annual international security conference in Munich.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Opens Military Supply to Local Firms [Feb 7]
"Saudi Arabia's defence ministry will for the first time allow local firms to bid to supply basic materials excluding arms with the long-term goal of encouraging a domestic military industry, officials said. The move, which will open a field that was reserved for foreign manufacturers, will first involve some 15,000 items that range from plastic to pipes, covers for jet engines and batteries, Colonel Attiyah al-Maliki said at a meeting with businessmen in Riyadh's chamber of commerce late on Saturday. Saudi authorities expect the move -- backed by assistant Defence Minister Khaled bin Sultan -- to encourage foreign suppliers to partner with Saudi peers and set up shop within the kingdom so that they can continue to qualify as suppliers. The defence ministry created a Central Committee for Local Industrialization which comprises business leaders and defence officials to 'develop local capabilities, ensure speedy deliveries and reduce costs', Colonel Maliki said.." [more]

Saudi Consumers Demand Gov't Action on Toyota [Feb 7]
"Saudi Arabia's Consumer Protection Association (CPA) on Sunday urged authorities to force Japanese carmaker Toyota's local agent Abdul Latif Jameel Co (ALJ) to recall and check for defaults in cars it sold locally. An official at ALJ said the company would invite within two weeks owners of Toyota Sequoia and Avalon models -- both of which are produced in the United States -- to get their cars checked. CPA's call, made in a statement sent to media, is the first by a consumer protection group in the Gulf Arab region -- where Saudi Arabia is the biggest auto market -- after Toyota recalled some 8 million cars worldwide on safety glitches. The Gulf Arab region accounted for 6.5 percent of Toyota's global car sales, Jim Sakaguchi, Toyota's marketing general manager for the Middle East and southwest Asia, told al-Eqtisadiah newspaper in an interview last year.. ..Toyota said in a statement distributed in the Middle East that the same problem afflicting cars in North America, Europe and China was unlikely to occur in the Middle East due to the difference in climate.." [more]

Tourist Arrival in Kingdom to Grow 5 Percent Annually [Feb 7]
"Saudi Arabia’s tourist arrivals is forecast to grow by 5 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) to 12.91 million in 2010, after remaining constant in 2009 at just over 12 million, 'Saudi Arabia Tourism Report Q1 2010' released by Companiesandmarkets.com said on Thursday. Furthermore, tourist arrivals will grow by an average of 6.5 percent y-o-y to the end of our forecast period in 2014, it said. One of the main drivers for the tourism industry is religious tourism. Business travel is also a growing area.. ..The report also forecast that the number of citizens traveling abroad will increase from an estimated 8.07 million in 2009 to 10.82 million in 2014. International tourism expenditure is also forecast to increase, reaching $8.58 million by the end of the forecast period.." [more]

Underage Marriages Committee Formed in Saudi [Feb 7]
"A national committee in Saudi Arabia has been formed to protect underage girls from being coerced into controversial marriages with much older men, local press reported Saturday. The committee is made up of representatives from the ministers of interior and justice as well as the national Human Rights Commission (HRC) and other relevant bodies under the chairmanship of lawyer Sultan bin Zahem, who was also chosen by HRC to investigate the latest case of underage marriage, known as the Buraidah Girl case, the Saudi newspaper al-Riyadh reported Saturday.. ..The newly-formed committee will aim to ensure that no girl under the age of 18 gets married without her consent, said Sultan bin Zahem.. ..The committee is currently drafting a law that, if approved by the king, would stipulate that an official permission would be necessary for all marriages of girls under 18.." [more]

Thousands of Medical Staff Banned [Feb 7]
"Over 15,000 medical 'professionals' were banned from working in the Kingdom’s health sector for failing to pass efficiency tests or possessing forged certificates. Dr. Hussein Al-Firaiji, secretary general of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, said 15,202 people had been banned and that his organization had uncovered 1,093 fake medical certificates since November. Al-Firaiji said 129 deaths were caused by medical mistakes in the Kingdom last year alone. 'Most of the forged certificates were in pharmacology, ophthalmology and nursing,' he said. The bulk of the forged certificates were in possession of nurses and pharmacists, followed by technicians and then dentists and opticians.. ..He added that the increasing number of deaths due to medical mistakes is sufficient reason to search and ban unqualified medical staff.." [more]

Saudi Prince in Talks Over Buying Pompey  [Feb 7]
"A member of the Saudi Royal family is reported to be in preliminary talks over buying Pompey.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf — the Saudi A­rabia ambassador to the United Kingdom and ­Republic of Ireland — is said to be in discussions with Pompey and could become the club's fifth owner since August last year. It comes after chief executive Peter Storrie revealed to The News on Saturday that the club were in talks with two potential new investors. Storrie recently visited Ireland to talk to one of the investors. It's hoped the Prince's huge wealth would help clear Pompey's debts overnight and save the club from going under. The Prince is the nephew of King Abdullah, one of the richest families in the world. Pompey face a winding-up petition at the High Court this Wednesday over an unpaid £7.5m tax bill. If the judge grants the petition, it will spell the end of Pompey." [more]

Jan 31-Feb 6, 2010

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 6]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Insurance Industry One of Fastest Growing Worldwide [Feb 6]
"The Saudi Arabian insurance industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing insurance industries across the world. While the global economic crisis has severely hit other industrial sectors, the insurance industry posts 25-30 percent annual growth rate on the back of compulsory insurance lines. According to our new research report 'Saudi Arabia Insurance Market to 2012', protection & savings and health insurance are the fastest growing insurance lines in the Kingdom, with health insurance accounting for around 44 percent of the overall insurance market as of the end of 2008.. ..the most recent introduction of compulsory health insurance for private employees, irrespective of the size of the company they are working with, will further boost the health insurance market in the country.." [more]

Reports About Ban on Lankan Maids Not True [Feb 6]
"Sri Lanka rejected rumors on Friday the Kingdom has imposed a ban on recruiting maids from the country. 'We do not feel such a move will even take place since there is a great demand for Sri Lankan maids in Saudi Arabia,' Kingsley Ranawaka, chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, told Arab News. Saudi media reported recently that the Kingdom is considering banning maids from countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia and Vietnam due to maids being unsuitable to suit Saudi culture.. ..Ranawaka added that the Lankan government has received no instructions from the Saudi government that confirms these reports. He also said that the Lankan government has 20 training centers throughout the country to train the domestic aides who go out for overseas employment.." [more]

Saudi Shares Decline, Led By Sabic, Petrorabigh as Oil Drops [Feb 6]
"Saudi Arabian shares fell the most in a week, led by Saudi Basic Industries Corp., as oil prices dropped to a seven-week low and European stocks extended their biggest weekly slump in 11 months. Saudi Basic, known as Sabic, fell 2.3 percent to 85.5 riyals, while Rabigh Refining and Petrochemicals Co., or Petrorabigh, dropped 2.5 percent to 31.5 riyals. The Tadawul All Share Index slipped 1 percent to 6,222.16 at 13:23 p.m. in Riyadh. Crude oil fell to a seven-week low of $71.19 a barrel yesterday.. ..'The Saudi market finds it hard to decouple from the downward pressures of other global equities over the past few days,' John Sfakianakis, Riyadh-based chief economist at Banque Saudi Fransi said by e-mail today. 'Oil also witnessed a sharp fall, which adds to uncertainty.' Saudi Arabia’s index is the only Arab Gulf index tracked by Bloomberg that trades on Saturday.." [more]

Alcoa and Saudi Firm Partnering [Feb 6]
"Alcoa Inc. said Monday it and the Saudi Arabian mining company, Ma'aden, will invest $10.8 billion in a joint venture to develop an aluminum industrial complex in Saudi Arabia. The complex, which will range from a bauxite mine to production facilities, will be developed in two phases with initial production expected in 2014. Ma'aden will own 60 percent of the joint venture. Alcoa will control the other 40 percent through an investment in which it will own 20 percent. Alcoa and its partners will invest $900 million over four years as well as a share of the project financing.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 5]~~~~~~~~~

Turkish Industry Minister to Hold Talks With Saudi Officials [Feb 5]
"Turkish industry minister will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday to hold formal talks. Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun will leave for Jeddah today, a statement by his ministry said. Ergun, who will be accompanied by Turkish businessmen, will meet Saudi Arabia's Commerce & Industry Minister Abdallah bin Zaynal Ali Reza during his visit. Ergun and Ali Reza are expected to discuss the ways to boost trade volume between the two countries.  Ergun will also have a meeting with Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Industry Minister Ergun will return to Turkey on February 12.." [more]

For Saudis, Corruption and Religious Extremism are Top Challenges [Feb 5]
"Corruption, unemployment, inflation and religious extremism are the main issues that concern Saudis, this according to a survey on Saudi Arabia’s social and political situation carried out in November 2009 by the Princeton-based Pechter Middle East Polls, which polled a representative sample of 1,000 Saudis in the three major urban areas of Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam/al-Khobar. The findings also indicate moderate satisfaction with the quality of life in the kingdom but also concern over the economic crisis.. ..Gender, however, provided an interesting demographic variation: 48 per cent of male respondents believe that religious extremism is a serious problem, but among women that figure rose to 59 percent. In an open-ended question about the nation’s top priorities, no respondent named elections or democracy.." [more]

Uganda Plans to Borrow $36 Million From OPEC, Saudi Funds [Feb 5]
"Uganda plans to borrow $36 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Saudi Fund for Development to build and equip 14 technical and vocational institutions in the country, Parliament said. Parliament’s National Economy Committee will consider the request presented by Aston Kajara, Minister of State for Finance, according to an e-mailed statement today from the capital, Kampala.." [more]

Saudi Minister Unaware of Disparity in Salary [Feb 5]
"Saudi Arabia's Assistant Minister of Education for Girls' Affairs, Dr Noora Al Fayez, has vowed support for the ongoing pay parity drive for almost 100,000 female teachers with their male counterparts. 'Dr Noora promised us that she would stand by them and follow up the matter personally [with] all possible legal channels,' Halima Al Sameeri, a member of the Humanitarian Women Teachers Campaign (WTC) delegation, who met the minister on Wednesday, said. Six delegates from the WTC met with Dr Noora in Saudi Arabia to discuss their demand to be treated equally with male teachers, in terms of salaries. It is estimated that Saudi's female teachers earn an average monthly salary of 4,000 Saudi riyals (Dh3,915), which is 35 per cent less than that of their male counterparts.." [more]

Saudi Banks Hold Biggest Deposit Base in GCC [Feb 5]
"Saudi Arabia’s banks still hold the largest deposit base among its GCC peers with a percentage contribution of around 38 percent of total GCC deposit base or around $283 billion as of September 2009, KIPCO Asset Management Company (KAMCO) said on Thursday in its latest analysis of 'GCC Banks’ Loan Portfolio & Deposit Base'. The banking sector in the UAE followed with a percentage contribution of 30 percent (deposit base of $221 billion), while Kuwaiti banking sector maintains its third largest position with a percentage contribution of total deposit base in the GCC region of 17 percent, equivalent to $124 billion in the period covered.." [more]

OPEC President Sees Stable Prices as Demand Recovers [Feb 5]
"OPEC President Germanico Pinto said the group expects oil prices to stabilize as crude recovers from a slump in demand caused by the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Oil will remain between about $70 and $80 a barrel this year amid a slight increase in global consumption, Pinto, who is Ecuador’s minister of non-renewable natural resources, said yesterday in an interview in Quito. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is likely to leave output quotas unchanged when it meets next month, he said. 'The general trend is clear, towards a reasonable price stability,' said Pinto, in charge of energy for OPEC’s smallest member state. 'We don’t see any crisis scenario this year.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 4]~~~~~~~~~

Yemeni Rebels Say Saudi Raids Kill 14 [Feb 4]
"Yemeni rebels said Thursday that 14 people have been killed and one wounded in a series of Saudi airstrikes on northern Yemen.. ..Last week, Saudi Prince Khaled said Riyadh will not approve a ceasefire with the rebels, known as the Houthis, unless they show 'good intentions,' including withdrawing all snipers from Saudi lands and releasing six Saudi soldiers who are believed to be in their hands. On Monday last week, rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared in an audio message that his group will "stop the war" with Saudi Arabia and withdraw from Saudi territories. A day later, the rebels said they had completely withdrawn from all Saudi lands they occupied recently along the borders with Yemen.." [more]

Suspension of Umrah is Iran’s Internal Matter [Feb 4]
"Commenting on Tehran’s decision of barring its citizens from performing Umrah, an official source in the Ministry of Haj said if Iran wants to disrupt one of the rituals of Islam, it’s Iran’s internal matter and the Kingdom does not interfere in other countries’ affairs. 'The Kingdom is keen on mobilizing all its resources to provide pilgrim from around the world with the security and care.' 'There is no special understanding with the Iranian side about any preferential treatment, as preferential treatment is meted out to Muslims from all over the world, including our brothers, the Iranians, as they are the guests of Allah,'.." [more]

JCCI Chief to Imams: Focus on Corruption, Not Women [Feb 4]
"Veteran Saudi businessman and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Chairman Saleh Kamil has lambasted religious leaders for making the mingling of the sexes a big issue, adding that Islam has not prohibited unrelated men and women from interacting but rather prohibits them from going into secluded places together. 'Islam has not banned the mingling of sexes,' Kamil said in comments published by Al-Madinah Arabic daily on Wednesday. 'It bans a man and woman (who are unrelated) being alone in a place. We have been witnessing men and women doing tawaf around the Holy Kaaba together and this has been taking place since the time of the Prophet (pbuh).' He urged them to speak against issues that concern the public, such as corruption, bribery and injustice. However, Kamil insisted that women coming to the chamber should wear proper Islamic dress (hijab).." [more]

Partnerships Forged to Promote Moderation [Feb 4]
" The Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Chair for Consolidating Saudi Moderation Policies signed a strategic partnership to increase cooperation with the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Chair for National Unity Studies at Riyadh’s Imam Muhammad bin Saud University.. ..Saeed Al-Maliki, the chair’s administrative supervisor, said the aim of the agreements is to bring the chair’s moderation policies into the mainstream and increase public awareness of the dangers of fanaticism, religious extremism, terrorism and westernization.." [more]

Saudi Women Revel in Online Lives [Feb 4]
"The internet of course has expanded everyone’s horizons. But for Saudi women, it has been a critical boon, providing a virtual leap over the many restrictions they face and connecting them as never before to the outside world. Most Saudi women cannot work, travel or attend school without permission from their husbands or fathers. They are forbidden to drive. Women generally do not participate in sports and the few public libraries that exist are open for women only a few hours a week. Socializing takes place mostly within extended families because of the country’s strict gender segregation. It is no wonder then that Saudi women moved into cyberspace at a much faster clip than men.. ..For some Saudi clerics, this internet socializing is another depravity from the West that is 'corrupting' young people. As one preacher put it, 'Facebook is the door to lust.'.." [more]

UAE Overtakes Saudi to Become Top Arab Exporter in 2009 [Feb 4]
"The UAE overtook Saudi Arabia to become the largest Arab exporter of goods and services in 2009 but the kingdom could be back on top in 2010, official figures showed yesterday. Despite a decline of $63 billion (Dh231.2bn) in its export value last year compared with 2008, the UAE was ahead of all Arab nations in export of goods and services, which stood at around $201.9bn in 2009, said the Kuwaiti-based Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation (IAGIC). It was the first time that the UAE overtook Saudi Arabia as the Arab World's largest exporter although it was already on the top of Arab importers. Saudi Arabia's exports were estimated at around $201.6bn in 2009, far lower than its 2008 exports of about $323bn. The decline was a result of a sharp drop in crude prices and a cut of nearly one million barrels per day in the kingdom's oil production.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Cuts March Light Oil Price to Asia [Feb 4]
"Top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia has cut the official selling price of Arab Light crude in March to customers in Asia and the United States, state oil company Aramco said. The price of Arab Light to Asia was cut by 25 cents to the Oman/Dubai average minus 15 cents a barrel, Aramco said in a statement on Wednesday. It lowered the price to the United States by 15 cents to Argus Sour Crude Index minus 75 cents. Saudi Arabia was expected to raise prices of all its crudes heading to Asia for March on healthy fuel oil cracks and improving refining margins, after cuts last month, traders said on Monday. Refinery maintenance in Asia and lower seasonal demand in the second quarter were probably the main reasons for the surprise cut, traders said. 'I think the Saudis are wisely anticipating a slowdown in demand in the second quarter,'.." [more]

Saudi Cancels 500 Foreign Investors' Licences [Feb 4]
"500 business licences were revoked from foreign investors in Saudi Arabia in 2009 following inspections of their activities, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has said. The authority said the licences were withdrawn due to 'failures to comply with licensing conditions', without providing further details, according to the Saudi Gazette. The Eastern Province director of Service Centres at SAGIA, Muhammad Al-Khars, told the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dammam that he expected a further 1,000 licenses to be revoked in 2010.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 3]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Wants Taliban To Expel Bin Laden [Feb 3]
"Saudi Arabia said during a visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday that it will not get involved in peacemaking in Afghanistan unless the Taliban stops providing shelter and severs all ties with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida movement. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia hoping for a active Saudi role in his plan to persuade Taliban militants to switch sides.. ..'So long as the Taliban doesn't stop providing shelter for terrorists and bin Laden and end their contacts with them, I don't think the negotiations will be positive or even able to achieve anything,' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in London last week. 'They must tell us that they gave this up, and prove it of course,' he said, according to the privately owned Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that an official mediation request is needed. His views were reiterated Tuesday by a Foreign Ministry official who said that bin Laden would have to be expelled from Taliban-controlled lands and the group must clearly declare its new position.." [more]

JEC Taps Cisco ICT Plan [Feb 3]
"Cisco has been appointed to support the creation of the critical information and communications technology (ICT) master plan for Jizan Economic City (JEC) 100-million-square-meter 'smart city' project. Cisco Smart+Connected Communities project at JEC will be coordinated in conjunction with JEC’s master plan developers, Malaysian MMC Corp and the Saudi Bin Ladin Group (SBG). The project aims to attract considerable global investment of more than SR100 billion and will establish the presence of a number of major industries in the city, such as local energy production, material, manpower and lifestyle. It also aims to create more than 500,000 new jobs in the various industries and service-oriented companies that will be established in Jizan Economic City.." [more]

Kingdom Rules Out Ban on Dairy Exports [Feb 3]
"The Saudi government will not implement a recommendation by an advisory council to ban dairy exports, the Kingdom’s agriculture minister said in an interview on Tuesday. The advisory Shoura Council approved a recommendation on Monday to ban exports of dairy products as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to save water. 'The government’s policy is to reduce the production of crops that use a lot of water. Dairy products do not use a lot of water. They use barley to feed cattle and barley is imported,' Fahad Balghunaim told Reuters. 'This is why we do not plan to implement the Shoura Council’s recommendation to ban dairy exports,' he added. The Shoura’s recommendation sent shares in Almarai Co, the Gulf’s largest dairy firm by market value, down by as much as 3.1 percent on Tuesday.." [more]

HRC Head Meets Iraqi Envoy, Discusses Prisoners’ Issue [Feb 3]
"President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Bandar Al-Iban met the Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Ghanim Al-Jelaimi on Tuesday to discuss Saudi prisoners in Iraqi jails. The two sides also discussed ways that the HRC could work with human rights bodies in Iraq and other issues of common interest. Al-Jelaimi commended the Kingdom’s support for the Iraqi people and for the country’s security and stability. Meanwhile, Al-Iban received at his office Louis Johnson, political officer at the American Embassy in Riyadh. The HRC president and the US official discussed a number of issues of common interest, including the Kingdom’s efforts to combat human trafficking.." [more]

Opec Says Oil Supply Increase Worrying [Feb 3]
"Oil producers' cartel Opec has told the BBC that compliance with production targets fell to 55-56% last month compared with 80% a year ago. Secretary General Abdalla Salem El-Badri told the BBC's Business Daily programme the move was 'worrying'. 'The risk is you see a lot of oil in the market and no one is buying it. Then the price will come down.' At its last meeting in Angola, Opec decided not to change the amount of oil being produced by its members. Oil prices have doubled from their lows of December 2008, but are way down on the record $147 a barrel reached in July 2008. US light, sweet crude is trading at about $78 a barrel - its highest level in two weeks. Mr El-Badri said: 'We need a price where we can invest in new capacity, new supply and also cater for the wealth of our people. Anything below $70 will not permit us to invest.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 2]~~~~~~~~~

Shiite Rebels Ready For Prisoner Exchange With Saudi Arabia [Feb 2]
"Yemen's northern Shi'ite rebels said on Tuesday they were ready to a prisoner swap with Saudi Arabia if the kingdom was committed to peace, as they said Riyadh launched additional air strikes against them. According to Reuters, Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence Prince Khaled bin Sultan said last week the rebels would have to return six Saudi missing soldiers if they wanted hostilities to end. 'The issue of the Saudi prisoners is not an obstacle if there is a will for peace. Perhaps the matter can be solved through a prisoner swap,' the rebels said.." [more]

Militant Used Bomb, Made by Pakistani, in Attacking Saudi Minister [Feb 2]
"A top Yemeni government official made stunning revelations that a Pakistani explosive expert was responsible for manufacturing the bomb that was used by an Al Qaida suicide bomber in his failed bid on the life of Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Nayef.. .. the Yemeni governor said the Pakistani man had trained many members of Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on ways to build and detonate explosive devices. 'The Pakistani expert was highly skilled in making explosive devices and had been teaching and training some individuals in Al Qaida on how to make and use explosives,' Al Maseeri said. According to the Yemeni official, the Pakistani had died late last year.." [more]

UAE Court Fines TV For Shelving Saudi Prince Interview [Feb 2]
"A Dubai appeals court has upheld a verdict ordering Saudi-owned television channel Al Arabiya to pay 100,000 dirhams ($27,230) in compensation to a Saudi prince for failing to air an interview with him. The court said the Dubai-based channel had failed to adhere to a media code of ethics and damaged 'the social status' of Prince Saif al-Islam bin Saud bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud when it advertised but did not broadcast the interview. 'The defendant flew the prince in to Dubai, recorded the interview, advertised that the interview would be broadcast, but that did not happen for unidentified reasons,' the verdict said. Prince Saif al-Islam, a novelist some of whose work is banned in Saudi Arabia, had initially sought compensation worth 500,000 dirhams, claiming the incident had 'inflicted emotional, moral and social damage' to him as 'an academic and a royal'.." [more]

12-Year-Old Saudi Girl Drops Divorce Requests [Feb 2]
"A 12-year-old Saudi girl has dropped her petition to divorce an 80-year-old man her father forced to marry in exchange for a dowry, according to media reports on Tuesday. The girl and her mother reportedly withdrew the case on Monday in a court in Buraidah in Al Qasim province. The girl told the court that her marriage to the man was done with her agreement.. ..The case caused an uproar after A -Riyadh newspaper first reported it in early January, saying the marriage had been consummated and quoting the girl as pleading to the journalist to 'save me.'   Her mother petitioned the court to annul the marriage and charged that the girl had been raped. The case was to be heard Monday, but reports said the mother dropped the complaint ahead of the hearing. Saudi Arabia has no law against child marriage, and clerics and religious judges justify the practice based on Islamic and Saudi tradition. Human rights officials have been pushing for a law that would set a minimum marriage age of 16 or higher.." [more]

Shoura Council Bans Export of Dairy Products [Feb 2]
"The Shoura Council adopted a resolution on Monday banning the export of dairy products from the Kingdom.. ..The decision to ban the export of dairy products was taken earlier by the Council of Ministers to conserve water but was not implemented. A large volume of water is consumed by dairy farms in the Kingdom, which is home to a number of leading dairy companies that export products to neighboring countries. The house decided to enforce the ban, the primary aim of which is to control the use of water and ensure its maximum usage for the greater good of the nation.. ..The house also felt that discouraging cultivation of wheat, which is used in animal feed, would eventually help the Kingdom rationalize the use of water.." [more]

Talaat Moustafa to Launch Saudi Project Soon [Feb 2]
"Talaat Moustafa Group, Egypt's biggest developer by market value, plans to launch its first project in Saudi Arabia within three months to target the country's young, wealthy buyers, its finance director said. The company wants 40 percent of its real estate sales to come from Saudi Arabia by 2014, and is shifting into the hotel business to diversify away from Egyptian home sales, Jihad Sawaftah told Reuters in an interview on Monday. 'We are focusing on Saudi Arabia,' he said. 'The land is there, the demand is there. And, don't forget, that is where the money is.' Sawaftah said he expected the authorities to clear the developer's first project outside Egypt, a 4 million square metre commercial and residential town near Riyadh, by end-March.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Feb 1]~~~~~~~~~

Yemen Rebels Deny Mounting Sniper Attacks in Saudi [Feb 1]
"Saudi Arabia has accused the insurgents of mounting sniper attacks inside its territory even after the rebels offered a ceasefire last week and pledged to withdraw from the kingdom. Riyadh last week declared victory over the rebels. 'We stress that there was no exchange of fire with the Saudi army, nor is there a presence of snipers from any side,' the rebels said in a statement. The rebels said Saudi war planes struck targets on Sunday across the Yemen-Saudi border region that was also being pounded by Yemeni forces.. ..After last week's rebel truce offer, Riyadh demanded Yemeni rebels withdraw snipers, return six missing Saudi soldiers and pull back further from the border to allow for a buffer zone inside Yemen secured by the Yemeni army.." [more]

Saudis Call For Retaliatory Security Checks For Passengers From US [Feb 1]
"Outraged at the humiliating 'extraordinary' security checks of Saudis at various US airports, several Saudi citizens urged the authorities to take retaliatory measures through introducing similar checks for passengers coming from the United States at Saudi airports. As part of a protest against the US move, they also demand suspension of sending Saudi students to the US for higher studies, and transferring a portion of Saudi investments, designed for the US, to some other countries. The newly introduced measures call for intensified checks and full-body scanning of air travellers, especially to and from 14 countries including Saudi Arabia.. ..Meanwhile, the president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission. Dr Bandar Bin Mohammad Al Aiban, voiced deep concern over the security checks.." [more]

Saudi to Join Nuclear Safety Pact [Feb 1]
"The Saudi government on Monday approved joining the Nuclear Safety Convention, the UN nuclear watchdog agency's pact on maintaining safety in nuclear power plants. In its weekly meeting, the cabinet approved accession to the 1994 convention, which has 66 members and is overseen by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, the official SPA news agency reported. The world's number two oil producer, Saudi Arabia does not operate any nuclear plants but it is believed to have an interest in developing nuclear energy. Riyadh signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Washington in 2008, and has been in talks with Paris over the last two years for a similar agreement.." [more]

Karzai Due Here Wednesday [Feb 1]
"Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will meet with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Wednesday to hold discussions on a wide-range of issues, including security and peace initiatives in that war-torn nation and ways to enhance relations between Kabul and Riyadh.. ..The envoy said that the Afghan president was keen to visit Riyadh directly after the London Conference to inform the King about Kabul’s effort to reconcile with all groups within the country, including the Taliban. He will also brief the King on the new framework, agreed upon with the international community, regarding support to the Afghan government for reconstruction and preventing terrorism and extremism.." [more]

Japan JGC in Deal to Cut Saudi Refinery Emissions [Feb 1]
"State oil firm Saudi Aramco and Royal Dutch Shell said on Monday they signed a deal with a unit of Japan's JGC to improve the environmental performance of their joint Sasref refinery. JGC Gulf International will carry out the engineering, procurement and construction work to add two units to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions at the Sasref refinery in Jubail on Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast, a statement said. 'On start-up, Sasref sulphur dioxide emission will be less than 250 part per million. This will make Sasref's emission the lowest of its kind in the kingdom,' Sasref's president, Abdulhakim al-Gouhi, said in the emailed statement. The company did not give a value for the deal nor say when the project would be completed. Industry sources have said the project is estimated to cost $100 million.." [more]

The Hertz Corporation Expands Into Saudi Arabia [Feb 1]
"The Hertz Corporation and its equipment rental subsidiary, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, have entered into a Joint Venture with Saudi Arabia based Dayim Holdings Company Ltd. to set up equipment rental operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new joint venture entity will rent and sell equipment and tools to construction and industrial markets throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 'The equipment rental market in Saudi Arabia is expanding rapidly, driven by heavy construction and opportunities in the petro-chemical industry. Our joint venture with Dayim Holdings will enable HERC to tap into growth throughout the country,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 31]~~~~~~~~~

Fresh Border Clashes on Saudi-Yemen Border as Yemen Rejects Rebel's Truce Offer [Jan 31]
" The Yemeni government has rejected an offer of a truce by Al Houthi rebels because they have not pledged to stop attacks in Saudi Arabia, a government official said on Sunday. The comments came as fresh clashes erupted as Al Houthi snipers crossed over the border, according to a Saudi military source. Snipers still remain in Saudi territory and exchange fire with Saudi forces on a daily basis, the source explained. However, the threat they pose is not great, the source pointed out. The Yemeni government said that the rebels' readiness to accept the government's conditions to end the war in Sa'ada is just a ploy to rescue themselves from an imminent defeat.." [more]

U.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf [Jan 31]
"The Obama administration is accelerating the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks in the Persian Gulf, placing special ships off the Iranian coast and antimissile systems in at least four Arab countries, according to administration and military officials.. ..The news that the United States is deploying antimissile defenses — including a rare public discussion of them by Gen. David H. Petraeus — appears to be part of a coordinated administration strategy to increase pressure on Iran. The deployments are also partly intended to counter the impression that Iran is fast becoming the most powerful military force in the Middle East, to forestall any Iranian escalation of its confrontation with the West if new sanctions are imposed.. ..Military officials said that the countries that accepted the defense systems were Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. They said the Kuwaitis had agreed to take the defensive weapons to supplement older, less capable models it has had for years. Saudi Arabia and Israel have long had similar equipment of their own.." [more]

Forced Divorce Couple Can Stay Married: Court [Jan 31]
"In a dramatic decision that could have far-reaching consequences for cases of ‘forced divorces’ in the Kingdom, the High Court in Riyadh has overturned a previous court decision that had divorced a young Saudi couple against their wishes. The High Court overturned a verdict passed by the Al-Jouf Court four years ago that had ordered the separation of the Saudi couple Mansour Al-Taimani and Fatima Al-Azzaz on the grounds that the husband was of an ‘inferior’ social status. The case has been widely reported in the local and international media.. ..Al-Azzaz refused to divorce her husband because she claimed that her brothers were using this argument as a pretext to get control of her property.. ..In its judgment overruling the Al-Jouf decision that was approved by the Court of Cassation, the Riyadh High court stated that the marriage was legal because Al-Azzaz’s father had given his permission.." [more]

Saudi to Spend $120 bln on Energy Projects [Jan 31]
"State-owned Saudi Aramco plans to invest around $120 billion over the next 5-6 years in developing projects in the oil and petrochemicals sectors, the company's chief executive told Arabiya TV. The world's top oil exporter has completed a number of refinery expansions and is now working at meeting the country's gas demands in addition to moving downstream into production of petrochemicals. Saudi Aramco plans to spend $60 billion on the oil sector, while the remaining investement would be for the development of petrochemcial projects and foreign investments, said Khalid al-Falih. 'Over the coming five to six years the total investment for Saudi Aramco will be around $120 billon,' he said. 'Funding investments for our other projects comes from joint ventures, loans and individual Saudi investors.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Next Hotspot for Healthcare Services Investors [Jan 31]
"A contingent of Singapore-based health services companies is currently in Saudi Arabia on a five-day official business visit. Led by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, representatives from 11 companies arrived in Riyadh on Friday (Jan. 29). The mission will also hold talks in Jeddah. The business delegation comprises healthcare services providers and other companies spanning the healthcare value chain, including healthcare equipment manufacturers and healthcare IT solutions providers. The group will be visiting government healthcare agencies such as the Ministry of Health (MOH), other public healthcare providers such as the National Guard Healthcare Affairs, top hospitals in the public and private sectors, as well as private investors keen on healthcare partnerships. The mission is timely as the Saudi Arabian government has placed increasing importance on the provision of healthcare for its population.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Observatory on Higher Education [Jan 31]
"Saudi Arabia now has a national body for higher education that includes student experiences, courses, planning, assessment and evaluation. The Observatory on Higher Education was launched last Tuesday at an international exhibition on higher education in Riyadh. The observatory will review the current higher educational sector, collect, manage, analyse and publish information on the sector, as well as connect institutions with a national network for decision-making. 'This is a highly commendable idea that helps define Saudi Arabia as a learning society. I hope the services of the observatory will be extended to other countries in the region and beyond,' Calestous Juma, Director of the Science, Technology and Globalisation project at Harvard University in the US, told University World News. Saudi Arabia has designated more than a quarter of its 2009 budget for education.." [more]

My Green Kingdom Environmental Initiative Launched in Saudi Arabia [Jan 31]
"His culture and his surrounding environment. With this principal issue, an educational outreach initiative titled 'My Green Kingdom' will be implemented in Saudi Arabia to raise awareness of children and their families on environmental issues. This project is launched in cooperation with the Saudi Academic Company of Educational Services (ACES), an independent company that seeks excellence and pioneering in education and training by implementing educational content base projects, the Austrian Middle East Environment Protection Association (AIMEEPA) a non profit organization based in Vienna , concerned with environment matters in the Middle East, with a role of forging cooperation between non governmental organizations, governments and private sector in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and Jordan Pioneers, the educational multimedia company based in Amman and a producer of educational outreach components and TV programs, which utilizes different multimedia tools with high tech standards, specialized in educational projects and social programs.." [more]

Virginia Islamic School's Expansion Met Protests [Jan 31]
"In Northern Virginia, a private school needed the local county's approval to expand to serve more students. This would have hardly raised an eyebrow had it not been for one particular detail: The school is Islamic, funded by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Saudi Academy, located in Fairfax County, has long been under the microscope of its opponents. But for residents along the two-lane country road where the school sits, the debate was transformed from a local land-use issue into a heated discussion about the school, its teachings and the relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States.. ..But scratch the surface and it's clear that there's more to the issue than traffic. And that was clear when the board met to discuss the academy's application for expansion. People lined up for hours to speak at public hearings. Speakers would first bring up traffic issues or other logistical matters, then invariably turn the talk toward religion.." [more]

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