News - January 2009

January 25-January 31, 2008

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

U.S. Envoy Arrives in Saudi Arabia [Jan 31]
"U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell arrived in Saudi Arabia late on Saturday after visiting Jordan, he is scheduled to discuss with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz on means of establishing peace after the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Saudi's official news agency SPA reported. It is the final leg of Mitchell's regional tour which aimed at reviving peace efforts in the Middle East. The tour has taken his so far to Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan. Mitchell has been touring the region for talks on consolidating the January 18 ceasefire which ended the devastating Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. He has been charged with 'vigorously' resuscitating Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.."  [more]

Canada Intervenes in Saudi Marital Dispute [Jan 31]
"A high-level representative of the federal government has met with Nathalie Morin, a 24-year-old Quebec woman who claims she is being held against her will in Saudi Arabia. Deepak Obhrai, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, met with Morin and her Saudi husband, Abdallah Ramthi Al-Bishi, in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 22 to mediate in the couple�s dispute, a Foreign Affairs spokesperson told Canwest News Service last night. He could not say what the next step might be. Ottawa has said in the past that Canadians in Saudi Arabia are subject to its laws. Morin met Al-Bishi in Montreal when she was 17 and when he was a Concordia University student. The couple has three children, including one born in Canada. Morin�s mother has said her daughter is unable to leave because, under Saudi law, she is his property because she is the mother of his children.." [more]

Shrinking Saudi Middle Class Causes Concern [Jan 31]
"Talking about poverty in Saudi Arabia is no longer a taboo. This was possible mainly after changing a mindset, following an unusual visit in 2002 to the poorest neighbourhoods of Riyadh by then Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. During the visit he and his entourage tramped into cramped and decrepit homes and met with families struggling to earn a livelihood. After the visit, he reiterated the determination of Saudi Arabian government to eradicate poverty from the Saudi society. Prince 
Abdullah's remarks after this rare visit brought this glaring reality to lime light for the first time. Now, there is nothing unusual in talking about poverty in the richest country in the region. There were days when some people considered dealing with the issue of poverty as a shame and something to be concealed. Such days are gone.." [more]

Standard Chartered Expects Saudi Rate Cuts [Jan 31]
"Additional rate cuts are expected in Saudi Arabia in 2009 as the economy witnesses slower growth, said Standard Chartered Bank as it forecast reverse repo rate to come down to 0.50 per cent by the second quarter. The recent cuts in the repo and reverse repo rates have trickled into the interbank market, pushing rates down to 1.22 per cent from the 2.48 per cent at the start of the year, Standard Chartered said in a note on Thursday. It forecast the economy to grow one per cent in 2009. On Wednesday, the governor of the central bank Hamad Saud Al Sayyari said Saudi Arabia was not in recession and that the bank would do what was necessary for the domestic economy.." [more]

Arabs Take First Step to Sue Israel [Jan 31]
"The Arab League and Egypt�s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are now reportedly bent on documenting Israeli human rights violations in Gaza as a prelude to lodging a complaint with international courts. The move is part of earlier Arab recommendations made by Arab permanent representatives last Monday As a first step, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has called the International Criminal Court�s chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to inform him about the impending action at The Hague, Arab League spokesman Abdul Alim Al-Abiyet told Saudi Gazette by phone from Cairo, Friday.  Working in tandem, the Palestinian Authority held a consultative meeting Thursday night in Ramallah before submitting to the Arab League its acceptance of the ICC�s authority as part of the Arab endeavor for legal action against Israel, PA Minister of Justice Dr. Ali Khashan told Saudi Gazette.." [more]

WFP Honors Abdullah as Champion in Battle Against Hunger [Jan 31]
"The World Food Program (WFP) has honored King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as �Champion in the Battle Against Hunger� for 2008. On behalf of the King, Abdullah Zainal Alireza, Minister of Commerce and Industry, received the award from WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, during the WFP Leaders� Dinner on Thursday night. The event on Day 2 of the World Economic Forum was attended by about 50 government leaders and CEOs. Sheeran in her speech thanked King Abdullah for supporting the WFP, citing his donation of $500 million and describing his generosity as 'a beacon of hope for the poorest and most needy in the world.' Alireza said that by accepting the distinguished award King Abdullah was sending 'a broad message to the world that we have to bear a shared responsibility to combat hunger, which is of urgent importance in view of the current economic crisis and its impact.'.." [more]

Kin of Saudis Who Died at Gitmo Sue Pentagon [Jan 31]
"Families of two Saudi detainees who committed suicide in June 2006 while being held at Guantanamo Bay have sued the Pentagon, alleging Thursday that torture and brutal conditions at the offshore prison led the men to their deaths. The New-York based Center for Constitutional Rights said the parents of Yassar Talal Al-Zahrani and Salah Ali Abdullah Ahmed Al-Salami are seeking unspecified damages for the 'illegal detention, torture, inhumane conditions, and ultimate deaths' of their sons. The final brief in the civil suit was filed Thursday in US District Court in Washington, D.C. 'It doesn�t really matter if this was an intentional death or an accidental death or suicide. The point is that the US government bears responsibility,'.. ..Relatives of a third prisoner, Mani Shaman Turki Al-Habardi of Yemen, who was also found dead in his cell on June 10, 2006, declined to join the suit naming former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and 23 other military and medical officials at the remote US base in Cuba. US Navy investigators said the three hanged themselves with bed sheets inside their cells .." [more]

Forum Aims at Public-Private Liaison for Social Development [Jan 31]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will attend a forum entitled 'Social Responsibility and the Participation of Public and Private Sectors' that will be organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs at Prince Sultan Hall in the Riyadh�s Al- Faisaliah Hotel tomorrow. 'The forum reflects the ministry�s desire to establish a strong framework for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors,' Minister of Social Affairs Yusuf Al-Othaimin said yesterday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 'Private companies should express their good intention in words and deeds by executing useful projects and initiatives that can bring about changes in the society. This is what the forum will discuss.' The forum will seek to increase awareness about social responsibility with the partnership between public and private sectors.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 30]~~~~~~~~~

New Jail System Aims to Reform Accused [Jan 30]
"Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harithy, director general of prisons, said yesterday that a plan was under way to introduce alternatives to imprisonment, including parole and posting bail. The Interior Ministry would soon make public the rules and regulations of the new system, he added. 'The move is not aimed at reducing the pressure in Saudi jails,' Al-Harithy said in comments published in an Arabic daily. 'Our objective is much nobler and greater than that. We want to put in jail only those who deserve it.' Justice Minister Abdullah Al-Asheikh also spoke about alternative punishments recently. 'We have already distributed questionnaires among judges to elicit their opinions and proposals on alternative punishments. Many judges favor the idea saying it would contribute to reforming the accused,'.. ..As punishment, suspects may be asked to do social services, such as cleaning mosques and schools or taking part in activities of charitable organizations or serving patients in addition to other activities that are beneficial to society.." [more]

Thailand Revisits Saudi Murder Cases [Jan 30]
"The Thai government, led by Democrats and the military is revisiting the unsolved murders of three Saudi Arabian diplomats in Bangkok and another Saudi national in 1989 and 1990, as it claims the cases affect national security and the Thai image abroad. If the past is any measure, proceedings will be slow and largely unproductive. Given the fact that Thailand may have lost US$500 million in terms of lost commercial business and employment of Thai workers in Saudi Arabia because of lack of progress in investigations, one would have thought that Thailand would have cracked the case by now. Oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia can exert significant pressure on the world community, but tackling corruption in Thailand has proved to be a tougher task than it imagined.." [more]

Saudi Gazette Bags Silver at Dubai Print Awards [Jan 30]
"Saudi Gazette is easy to read, has a clean design and a crisp appearance. These were the comments of the international judges who evaluated the Saudi Gazette, which won the silver award in the printing category of the Dubai Print Awards 2008.. ..The evaluation was based 40 percent on quality, 40 percent on finishing, 10 percent on creativity and 10 percent on innovation, he said. Jawharji said: 'The newspapers which received an award have attained a very high standard of quality.' Quoting one of the judges, he said: 'The quality of products submitted for the awards demonstrates the competitiveness of the GCC printing industry with other markets'.." [more]

The GCC and Gaza, a Reflection of Arab Impotence [Jan 30]
"The public feelings of outrage and despair due to the lack of action by Arab regimes in defence of the people of Gaza have become a distinguishing feature associated with the latest Israeli aggression. Despite the ceasefire, blame is particularly directed at Egypt and Saudi Arabia for what many view as their tacit support for the failed attempt to destroy Hamas. While Egypt refused to allow free passage of aid to Gaza from Rafah crossing, Saudi Arabia has maintained its political and 'religious' pressures against Hamas. Both countries have maintained their anti-Hamas positions through political, media and economic means. Both have failed to take any measure that could be construed as effective pressure on the Israelis and their backers in Washington to stop the attack by Gaza.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Awards Russian Scientist [Jan 30]
"Famous Russian astrophysicist, RAS academician Rashid Sunyaev, was recently awarded the International Award of Saudi Arabia King Faisal. The scientist�s studies became the basis for cosmology and studies of space structure and celestial bodies. His further work was an enormous contribution studies of dynamics of black holes and neutron stars. His fellow researchers believe that Sunyaev�s works were essential for development of X-ray astronomy. Academician Sunyaev shared the award with eminent British scientist Sir Richard Friend, an expert in semiconductor physics and professor of Cambridge University. The award consists of the gold medal and $200 thousand, shared between the awardees.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 29]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Officer Under Investigation for Sending Youths to Afghan Jihad [Jan 29]
"The Military and Security Intelligence wing of the Kuwait�s Ministry of Defense has referred a Saudi non-commissioned officer to the State Security police for sending 20 young Kuwaitis and Saudis to fight a holy war in Afghanistan, reports Al-Rai daily quoting security sources. The same sources said the accused was holding seminars and lectures on fighting a holy war inside his home in Sulaibiya, which was being reportedly attended by a number of Islamists.. ..The sources revealed the suspect was active in recruiting youth to fight jihad over a period of time. It has also been reported one of his sons was killed in action in Afghanistan while the other was arrested by Saudi security authorities for collecting money to fund jihad activities. His third son also is in Afghanistan but no information is available about his fate.." [more]

Saudi Economy Not in Recession: Al-Sayari [Jan 29]
"Saudi Arabia is not in recession and the central bank will do what is necessary for the domestic economy, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) said yesterday, adding he thought oil prices were already very low. Speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Hamad Al-Sayari told Reuters: 'We always do what is possible, what is necessary, for the local economy. The US (cost of borrowing) is already at zero. We are not. We will follow the domestic developments. We are not in a recession.' 'I�m not concerned about the interbank market at all. The budget is already (planned) to have a deficit because of oil. (The oil price) is already very low and we have to be prepared for any development, but this year seems to be a difficult or challenging year for the global economy.' Oil prices have fallen more than $100 a barrel since hitting a record high in July.." [more]

Obama Hails King�s Courageous Peace Move [Jan 29]
"US President Barack Obama has praised the Arab peace initiative, which was originally proposed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Its aim is to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the US leader said it was a courageous move from the Saudi king. 'I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage,' the president said speaking to Al-Arabiya satellite channel on Tuesday, in his first interview since his inauguration as president on Jan. 20. 'To put forward something that is as significant as that, I think there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace,' Obama said about the initiative, which was passed by the Arab League summit in Beirut in 2002 and relaunched in 2007. The proposal envisages Arab recognition of Israel in return for an Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 borders, the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and the return of Palestinian refugees.." [more]

UAE and Saudi Arabia Scoop Health Awards [Jan 29]
"Medical professionals and hospital departments in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have scooped the 2009 Arab Health Innovation and Achievement Awards, the winners of which were announced last night (28 January 2009). A record number of nominations were received for the awards � an independent endorsement of the quality of the region's healthcare professionals, companies and organisation. The winners were announced at a gala dinner in Dubai attended by over 700 of the region's leading healthcare professionals. The awards cover eight areas of medical provision.. ..The awards were created to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and hospitals, departments or teams that have contributed to the growth and development of the quality of the health sector in the Middle East.." [more]

ABB Wins Order to Strengthen Saudi Power Network [Jan 29]
"Power and automation technology group ABB has won an order worth $95 million from Saudi Arabian national power transmission utility, Saudi Electricity Company, for substations to strengthen the country's distribution network. According to the company, it will provide turnkey services for five new substations to increase the capacity of the Saudi Arabian distribution grid and help meet the needs of the growing economy in the region. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the projects are scheduled for completion in 2011.." [more]

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Will Recognize Kosovo Independence Soon [Jan 29]
"The Head of the Kosovo Islamic Community Mufti Naim Ternava, who is on a visit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, met yesterday with the Head of the Saudi Arabian Parliament Dr. Salih Al-Humejd. Mufti T�rnava told Dr. Al-Humejd about the latest achievements in Kosovo and asked of him to take the decision to recognize its independence as soon as possible. On his part, Dr. Al-Humejd promised that the recognition of Kosovo by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will follow soon, at the same time promising the support of his state amongst international organizations and states with which it has strong relations. On this occasion Mufti T�rnava said that the recognition of Kosovo independence by Saudi Arabia is very important knowing the role of this state in the Islamic world, especially amongst those who adhere in the Islamic Conference and the Arab League.." [more]

No Security Curbs on Gitmo Returnees [Jan 29]
"A senior official at the Ministry of Interior said Wednesday that Saudi authorities would not impose any security restrictions on Guantanamo Bay returnees who have integrated back into the society and have proved to be good citizens. The release of the Guantanamo returnees from the rehabilitation program has followed the completion of regulatory and legal procedures, the official said. The statement came in the wake of the return of two Saudi former detainees of Guantanamo to Al-Qaeda terror network branch in Yemen after going through Ministry of Interior�s rehabilitation program. The official said law abidance is the virtue of dealing with all returnees. 'We do not hold those returnees who have become good society members accountable for the irresponsible acts of a few.'.." [more]

UK Universities Fair Offers Good Opportunity to Saudis [Jan 29]
"The decades old cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Britain were further promoted with the visits of British higher education delegation and representatives of 63 UK universities at the two-day British education exhibition in the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industries premises on Tuesday. It is our pleasure to have the exhibition at the JCCI. It will not only bring the opportunities of good education for Saudi students but also strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries as many Saudi students are studying in UK,� said Mustafa A.K. Sabri, JCCI Secretary General.. ..The exhibition, he said, offers a good chance for us to know more about British universities and their programs for higher education, about cultural relations and information about science and technology subjects.." [more]

OPEC Ready to Take Crude Prices to The Mat [Jan 29]
"After months of false starts, OPEC claims it is ready to drop production far enough to pull more money out of the pockets of the oil-consuming nations. The cartel has been humiliated more than once as it has chopped output only to see the price of oil drop further. Since September, OPEC said it has taken four million barrels a day out of circulation. That number is in dispute. It may be smaller. But, the fact of the matter is that some of the organization's members probably did not follow the rules and cut as fast or deep as had been planned. Nations including Iran and Venezuela may need the capital too much to drop the number of barrels that they export. Once oil prices started to cascade from over $141 a barrel this last summer to well below $40, OPEC knew that its members would not be able to support their own economies which, in many cases rely almost entirely on income from crude sales.. ..The world should getting ready for much higher oil prices, even if that will make the recession deeper. OPEC has the capacity to cut demand at a rate to outrun falling supply. It has not done so, but that could change before the end of this quarter. Its member nations are ready to put their own interests ahead of those of both their customers and the economy at large.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 28]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Hails Bid to Boost Arab Ties [Jan 28]
"Saudi Arabia, one of Washington�s top allies in the Middle East, yesterday hailed new US President Barack Obama�s desire to bolster ties with the Arab world. Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal praised Obama for 'his desire to have a strong and fruitful relationship with the Arab world' and said his stance was a 'positive development' in Washington�s policy towards the Middle East. Prince Saud told Al Arabiya that a resolution of the Middle East conflict would 'automatically contribute to the resolution of other regional crises.' He said Arab nations were ready to discuss with Obama�s administration the Saudi-initiated peace plan.." [more]

Probe into Vice Cops Raid of British Universities Fair [Jan 28]
"The Riyadh Emirate on Tuesday ordered an investigation into last Sunday�s disruption of a British Universities Fair at Yamamah College here by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haya) objecting to intermingling of men and women.. ..Once inside, the Haya men went around asking Saudi women to leave the fair at once, he said. They also wanted the British women representatives of 25 British universities participating in the fair to stop interacting with the visitors, Al-Sharikh said. The matter was brought to the attention of the British Council and the British representative of the fair, and the British women were consequently asked to leave.. ..The investigation will be conducted by a committee comprising representatives of the Riyadh Emirate, Ministry of Higher Education, the Riyadh Police Department, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and the Commission of Investigation and Prosecution.." [more]

Lloyds TSB's SWIP Targets Gulf With Saudi Branch [Jan 28]
"Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) has joined a Saudi partner to open a subsidiary in the world's largest oil exporter, the joint venture said on Wednesday. SWIP is the fund management arm of British banking group Lloyds TSB.. ..It also expects to manage investment in the real estate and shariah-compliant global emerging market equities. 'The time is right for SWIP SAM to build a significant presence in this rapidly growing market and in the other markets of the Gulf Cooperation 
Council (GCC),' said Peter Dorward, SWIP SAM's Chief Executive. 'Our approach will be targeted, providing tailored investment solutions for specific clients,' he added.." [more]

Germany's Evonik Eyes Saudi Chemical Investments [Jan 28]
"Evonik [RUHR.UL] is considering investment in Saudi Arabia's chemical industry, which a financial adviser to the German industrial group said could amount to as much as $1.5 billion by 2012.. ..Global petrochemical demand has slumped due to the economic slowdown, forcing producers to slash output and lay off staff. But Evonik wants access to cheap Saudi energy supplies as it prepares for future economic growth and a resurgence in demand, Ghalayini said. 'By the time they commission their plants in 2011 things will be different, by then the cycle will be different and the supply demand ratio will be another one,' he said. Evonik may launch up to three joint-ventures each worth between $400 million and $500 million over the next three years, he said.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Ease Regulations [Jan 28]
"As Saudi Arabia competes for foreign direct investment during the global slowdown, the kingdom has committed itself to easing business regulation and facilitating investment in energy-intensive industries this year, a top official said. Amr al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabia General Investment Agency, told the Financial Times earlier this week that new regulatory and procedural reforms are intended to reduce the time and capital needed to start a business. The changes form part of a strategy to place Saudi Arabia among the world�s 10 easiest countries for doing business by next year.. ..Promoting foreign investment in petrochemicals, aluminium, steel and fertilisers will be the main focus of the agency this year, Mr Dabbagh said.." [more]

Saudia Suffers SR1.798 Billion Loss [Jan 28]
"Saudi Arabian Airlines announced yesterday that it registered a loss of SR1.798 billion last year as a result of no-show passengers, who make reservations on its flights but change their travel plans without informing the airline. 'Statistics about operational performance show that more than 3.6 million passengers stayed back even after reconfirmation of their bookings,' said Khaled Al-Mulhim, the airline�s director general. Domestic flights witnessed the largest number of no-show passengers last year as 2.3 million people did travel after reconfirming their seats. International flights saw 1.15 million no-show passengers. Al-Mulhim said the huge losses were created by the non-cooperation of passengers who did not care to cancel their seats when changed their travel plans. 'Other airlines are not suffering from such losses because they impose fines on passengers who do not show up after reconfirming seats,' he pointed out. 'Recently Saudia also forced to adopt the same measure not to make money but to save seats for sure passengers and avoid flying with many vacant seats.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 27]~~~~~~~~~

The Arab Peace Initiative [Jan 27]
"George Mitchell, the newly-appointed US Middle East envoy, is likely to use the Arab Peace Initiative as a starting point for negotiations when he meets with Israeli and Arab leaders on January 28. Mitchell is scheduled to stop in Egypt followed by visits to Israel, the Palestinian West Bank, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia before heading to Europe. The Saudi-brokered plan, which was endorsed by the Arab League's 22 members during the March 2002 Beirut summit, outlined comprehensive steps to ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Arab leaders collectively offered Israel recognition of its right to exist and a normalisation of diplomatic ties in exchange for its complete withdrawal from Arab lands captured since 1967. The plan, first floated by King Abdullah, then crown prince of Saudi Arabia, called for the restoration of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital and a "fair solution" for the 3.8 million Palestinian refugees, including but not limited to the Syrian Golan Heights and Israeli-occupied territory in southern Lebanon. Barack Obama, the US president, said in an interview to the Al Arabiya news station on January 26, that he supports the Saudi peace plan.." [more]

Obama Chooses Arab Network For First TV Interview [Jan 27]
"President Barack Obama on Tuesday chose an Arabic satellite TV network for his first formal television interview as president, delivering a message to the Muslim world that 'Americans are not your enemy.' The interview underscored Obama's commitment to repair relations with the Muslim world that have suffered under the previous administration. The president expressed an intention to engage the Middle East immediately and his new envoy to the region, former Sen. George J. Mitchell, was expected to arrived in Egypt on Tuesday for a visit that will also take him to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. 'My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy,' Obama told the Saudi-owned, Dubai-based Al-Arabiya news channel. Obama said the U.S. had made mistakes in the past but 'that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Launches $5.3b Agricultural Fund [Jan 27]
"The Saudi Arabian cabinet on Monday decided to establish a $5.3-billion fund to support agricultural development by offering soft loans and necessary credit facilities, the Saudi daily newspaper Saudi Gazette reported. The new fund will replace the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank, which was established 45 years ago with the goal of making the country self sustaining in wheat growing. While the target was achieved, it also managed to deplete the little fresh water reserves available to the country. According to the paper, the prime concerns of the new fund will include preserving water resources by rationalizing their use for agriculture and protecting the environment.. ..The initiative aims to uphold national and international food security by building partnerships with countries that have high agricultural potential and develop, manage and sustain farm investments in several strategic crops to be available in sufficient quantities and at a stable price.." [more]

OFWs in Saudi Anxious as Crisis Bites [Jan 27]
"Overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly worried about their job security after a local labor official there reportedly advised companies affected by the global financial crisis to sack their foreign workers first. Migrante-Middle East said local newspapers on Monday quoted the head of the Saudi labor office in the Eastern Province Muhammad al-Hamdan as saying that the government labor office has instructed companies to start with foreigners first if they have to sack employees. 'Even the Saudi government is now wary of the effect of the global financial crisis and thus come up with such a protective measure -- their nationals will be the last to be sacked in their jobs, foreign workers first to include OFWs,' .. ..while economists believed that the Middle East will be the least affected by the global financial crisis, there are several companies in Saudi Arabia whose profits plunged by as much as 90 percent last year as a result of the falling prices of petroleum and the credit crunch.." [more]

Will Saudi Arabia Abandon the Munasaha Program? [Jan 27]
"The answer is certainly no; the return of a limited number of individuals who completed the Saudi government-sponsored Muasaha [Advisory Committee] rehabilitation program to the Al Qaeda organization does not signify the failure of this program, or the need for its closure, rather it signifies the need for its continued evaluation, its assessment on a regular basis, and its continuance.. ..The greatest threat to the Al Qaeda organization does not come from armed conflict, but from ideological confrontation which exposes the movement and its leadership, as well as social rehabilitation, which does not shut the door on those innocent of committing acts of violence. If we looked at the number of those who have returned to the ideology of Al Qaeda in comparison with those have integrated back into society and have started leading normal lives, then this would be an indication of the viability of the Saudi Arabian Munasaha program, and evidence for the necessity of its continuance.." [more]

Women May Issue Fatwas: Conference [Jan 27]
" Islamic scholars have softened their position with regard to the topic of whether competent women scholars are qualified to issue religious edicts (Fatwas) or not. 'Issuing Fatwa is not restricted to men alone. Well-qualified women scholars can also do it,' this was the message given by the recently concluded Makkah International Conference on Fatwa and Its Regulations. The 'Fatwa Charter,' which will serve as a guideline on the issuing of Fatwas, adopted by some 170 prominent Islamic scholars from around the world, does not contain any provisions that prohibit women from issuing Fatwas.. .. Sheikh Abdullah Al Manie, member of the Saudi Senior Scholars Commission, said that it is permissible to incorporate women as members of the Commission and allow them to take part in bodies that pronounce Fatwas as they are like men in performing their religious obligations and responsibilities.." [more]

Israel�s War Crimes Must be Probed: Kingdom [Jan 27]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday called for an extensive investigation of Israel�s war crimes in Gaza and said the Jewish state must be held responsible for its acts in defiance of international laws and charters. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said Israel launched its 22-day blitz on Gaza ignoring the Arab peace initiative, which was offered by the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002. The meeting condemned the criminal large-scale destruction of property and infrastructure in the Palestinian territory, which was in clear violation of international humanitarian law.. ..King Abdullah was in the forefront of world leaders in carrying out diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli attack on Gaza. During the Kuwait summit, he announced a Saudi donation of $1 billion for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. A fundraising campaign ordered by the king has so far raised SR224.45 million ($59.8 million) to support Palestinians in Gaza.." [more]

Norwegian Diplomat Receives Accolades From Saudis [Jan 27]
"An e-mail sent by Trine Lilleng, first secretary at the Norwegian embassy in Riyadh, triggered a huge controversy in both the diplomatic and political circles in Norway and Israel. In the email, Lilleng compared Israel's offensive in Gaza with events in the Second World War and the persecution of Jews. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the e-mail, while the Norwegian embassy refused to comment on the issue. Lilleng, however, received accolades from many Saudis, who described the email as a "heroic and courageous act." Lilleng sent the e-mail from her account with some 40 photos from Gaza paired with images of the Second World War.. ..Israel has demanded the intervention of the Norwegian government. The Norwegian embassy prevented the diplomat from speaking to the media over the controversy.." [more]

9 Alumni of Saudi Program for Ex-Jihadists Are Arrested [Jan 27]
"Nine graduates of an influential Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists, including some who had been imprisoned at Guant�namo Bay, have been arrested for rejoining terrorist groups since the program started in 2004, Saudi officials said Monday. The Saudi Interior Ministry acknowledged the arrests after it emerged late last week that two other graduates had joined the Yemeni branch of Al Qaeda, raising questions about how the Saudis lost track of them. Both had been released from Guant�namo, in Cuba, in 2007, and one of the men is suspected of having helped plan a deadly attack in Yemen last year. The statement on Monday about the arrests appeared to be an effort by the Saudi authorities to underline their vigilance, despite the lapses, in keeping track of former militants.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 26]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi King's Commitment to Help Mindanao Secured [Jan 26]
"In his unrelenting effort to bring peace and progress to Mindanao, the hotbed of Muslim secessionism in the Philippines, Speaker Prospero Nograles has secured the commitment of Saudi Arabia�s The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdullaziz al-Saud during his visit to the Majlis al-Shura in Riyadh from January 24 to 27. Nograles, the first Mindanaoan Speaker, had the privilege of meeting with King Abdullah, who expressed keen interest to further strengthen Saudi�s commercial and investment relations with the Philippines, particularly in developing the agricultural and other economic potentials of the Southern Philippines. Buoyed by the success of his meeting with King Abdullah, the Speaker expressed optimism that the Philippines will not only be able to provide the food requirements of the Kingdom through possible Saudi investments in Mindanao, but also stand as a strong partner in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue for peace and stability for the rest of the world.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Set Example for OPEC by Cutting Production Further [Jan 26]
"Asia Pacific is thought to be expecting attempts by Saudi Arabia to unilaterally influence oil prices to fail. The country, the world's largest exporter of crude oil, is attempting to set an example to fellow OPEC members who have not cut production as much in the face of a slide in oil prices that has persisted for the last 6 months. Those familiar with analysts at Asia Pacific say the firm believes that the move is likely to fail because the remaining 10 OPEC members may not be able to afford to cut 
production significantly when they need as much revenue as possible to deal with their own economic issues. An unnamed Asia Pacific source said that the cartel has not been able to arrest the decline in oil prices despite the deepest production cuts in its history so it should wait until the markets begin to focus on the supply side dynamics of the world's most precious commodity.." [more]

Saudi Steps Up Action on Counterfeit Goods [Jan 26]
"Saudi customs is gearing up its offensive against counterfeit goods by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a commercial fraud detection company, it was announced Monday. The MOU between the Saudi Customs Authority and International TradeMark World (ITMW) aims to increase cooperation between public and private organisations in the fight against commercial fraud, counterfeiting and trademark theft. Under the agreement Saudi customs officials will be trained up in 
the latest fraud detection technologies as well as being issued with up to date statistics on affected products and brands. The move comes in the wake of figures that show the parallel global market of counterfeit products is estimated to top $7 billion every year in the Gulf region - with $4 billion being consumed in the Saudi market alone.." [more]

SCTA to Retrieve National Relics Abroad [Jan 26]
"Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said Saudi Arabia was working hard to retrieve national antiquities within the framework of a comprehensive program. 'We have been assigned by higher authorities to retrieve these antiquities after locating them. In fact, we have been successful in bringing back some of them from Britain and other countries. Most of the antiquities were safe in world museums,' he said.. ..'The commission deals with places of historic importance within the perspective of Shariah and with the intent of protecting them. However, we�ll never allow such sites to be turned into shrines,' he said. 'We have to project this heritage in order to prove that the Gulf region is not only rich in oil but also in culture and civilization.' The SCTA chief said Saudi Arabia had intensified ex-ploration with the support of 10 international teams. 'We are now passing through a new era of exploration,' he said, adding that the commission would soon hold a media campaign on the importance of antiquities in order to preserve them.." [more]

Global Crisis Won�t Affect Kingdom�s Development Works: Prince Miteb [Jan 26]
"Dismissing the implication that the global economic downturn could stymie Saudi development projects, Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Miteb said yesterday that the Kingdom would continue to carry out its development program in the coming years without any interruption. The minister made his comments while opening the Third Global Competitiveness Forum here on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.. ..Prince Miteb said the Kingdom has allocated $400 billion for the implementation of various projects, which demonstrates the vibrant economy of the country that has withstood the current economic crisis.." [more]

Ministry Clarifies News Reports on Gitmo Returnees [Jan 26]
"The Interior Ministry issued a statement yesterday responding to news that Saudis who had spent time in Guantanamo have reportedly joined the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. An Interior Ministry spokesman said the Kingdom had made every effort to rehabilitate the terror suspects by providing them with necessary counseling. 'In all 218 terror suspects, including Guantanamo returnees, have benefited from this program,' the spokesman said, while commenting on media reports that two Saudis who had spent time in the US prison camp in Cuba, had joined Al-Qaeda groups abroad. 'These reports show that Saudi society is totally against the deviant group and will not allow them to operate within the Kingdom,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 25]~~~~~~~~~

Obama Salutes Saudi Peace Plan [Jan 25]
"US President Barack Obama asked Saudi Arabia for help to stop weapons smuggling into Gaza and emphasized his appreciation for the Arab peace initiative in a call to Saudi King Abdullah Friday. Obama "underscored the importance of a strong US-Saudi relationship" in the call, according to the White House press office, which touched on Abdullah's sponsorship of the peace plan and his interfaith dialogue effort, as well as the latter's commitment to providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority. The call was part of Obama's continued outreach to foreign leaders during his first week of work in the Oval Office. He also spoke to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations.." [more]

Sack Expats First, Then Locals: Saudi Arabia to Companies [Jan 25]
"In a move that may affect hundreds of expatriates, including Indians, Saudi Arabia has asked all companies in the kingdom to fire foreigners if they have to layoff staff. 'Labour offices are instructing companies to start with foreigners first if they have to sack staff,' the 'Saudi Gazette' quoted Muhammad Al-Hamdan, Head of the Labour Office in the Eastern Province, as saying. In fact, Al-Hamdan said that Labour Office inspectors, working for the Ministry of Labour, have started investigating companies believed to have sacked Saudi staff, because of the global financial meltdown. 'Businesses are not permitted to fire Saudi staff and must retain them by transferring them to other jobs made available within a firm by firing expatriate staff,' he said.." [more]

Makkah Scholars Call for Economic Boycott of Israel [Jan 25]
"As many as 55 prominent Saudi figures, including scholars, judges and university professors from the holy city of Makkah, issued a statement warning against normalising relations with Israel under the current circumstances. 'Any peace initiative that involves recognising right of Jews over the Palestinian territories and normalisation of relations with Israel is unacceptable,' they said while stressing that the efforts to liberate Palestine from the Jewish usurpers is a Sharia obligation on both the Muslim masses and their leadership.. ..The scholars asserted in the statement - a copy of which was obtained by Gulf News - that it is permissible for resistance groups to make peace with Jews, on the condition that this should be on a temporary basis, with the objective of further reinforcing their economic, educational, and military capabilities. They are of the view that criticising the resistance is an act of hypocrisy. The scholars urged the Muslim Ummah, both the people and the leaders, to effectively use the weapon of economic boycott against Israel and all those cooperating with the Jewish country.." [more]

Inflation Expectations Reduced by 7% [Jan 25]
" GCC countries are constantly striving to gain positive results from the negative effects of the global financial crisis, and Saudi budget reports indicate that the Saudi industrial sector's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has risen to SR 1753 billion, with a growth rate of 22% in 2008, compared to SR 1430 billion in 2007. In addition, Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced its general debt index to GDP rate to SR 237 billion in 2008, despite the damaging effects of the global financial crisis. Saudi financial experts anticipate a reduction of 7% in the inflation of the public sector due to the variance in dollar exchange with other currencies, the decline of some local product prices, especially construction materials, and the decline of oil prices, which in turn leads to reduced transportation and shipping costs, and ultimately the restoration of reasonable pricing standards.. ..The Saudi Ministry of Finance has announced the overall budget of 2008, noting that a surplus of SR 590 billion was achieved. Many professionals are expecting a budget insufficiency of SR 65 billion in 2009 due to the high expenditure rate of the last five years, while others believe that this high rate of expenditure will be reduced, with plans aimed at lowering the expenditure leading to the restoration of the economy from recession.." [more]

Chinese President to Visit KSA Next Month [Jan 25]
"Chinese President Hu Jintao is scheduled to make an official two-day visit to the Kingdom next month at the invitation of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a Chinese diplomatic source said. The two sides are in contact to fix the date of the visit which is likely to take place in mid-February, the source said. Discussions during Hu�s visit are expected to focus on economic issues, especially ways to boost cooperation and to open new avenues for investments between the two countries. King Abdullah and Hu would also discuss regional and global developments, particularly the faltering Middle East peace process, Israeli recent atrocities in Gaza and the international effort to rebuild Gaza.." [more]

Saudi Healthcare Sector Growing at Rapid Pace [Jan 25]
"Amid global economic vicissitudes and unpredictable financial climate that looms over the business arena, Saudi Arabia continues to withstand and absorb the rigors as shown by the upbeat mood of its various sectors. One of them is the healthcare industry, which, as the latest study shows, will witness rapid growth. A recent report on 'Saudi Arabian Healthcare Market Forecast to 2012' revealed that the government is rapidly promoting the involvement of private healthcare in the Kingdom. In this regard, GE Healthcare, a byword in the medical industry due to its global clout, is once again reasserting its global and regional commitment to advance the cause of the industry and for the benefit of the people.. ..Saudi Arabia already generates over $1 billion to GE revenues from the region. Moreover, he said GE Healthcare is also opening an assembly facility in Saudi Arabia, which will be focused on assembling innovative diagnostic imaging systems to meet the growing demand for modern healthcare equipment regionally.." [more]

Aramco, Total Sign New Jubail Refinery Deal [Jan 25]
"Saudi Aramco and Total yesterday reaffirmed their resolve to complete the world-class Jubail refinery project that is designed to supply 400,000 barrels per day, the Saudi Press Agency said. 'The two companies signed a new contract to implement the project,' the official agency said, adding that the new refinery would begin operations at the end of 2012. The refinery will process Arabian Heavy crude into high-quality refined products that will meet the most stringent global product specifications. It will also benefit from proximity to the Arabian Heavy crude supply system and from the excellent facilities of the Jubail Industrial City such as the King Fahd Industrial Port, power and water grids, and residential areas. 'Our vision for this world-class refinery is to further expand the Kingdom�s refining and petrochemical infrastructure and create job opportunities. This facility will provide our customers, both domestic and international, with high quality fuels and petrochemicals', said Khalid G. Al-Buainain, Saudi Aramco�s senior vice president.." [more]

Alternative Punishments Under Consideration, Says Minister [Jan 25]
"Justice Minister Abdullah Al-Asheikh said yesterday that his ministry was studying alternative punishments to imprisonment, in association with other government departments and agencies.. ..Al-Asheikh said his ministry would prepare a 20-year strategic plan to address present and future challenges. The strategy, which aims at upgrading judicial facilities, will present a futuristic vision, including standards to assess performance. 'We�ll have a five-year executive plan to achieve long-term goals. It will set out a mechanism to review performance and promote a culture of strategic planning and thinking,' he said. He emphasized the ministry�s plan to train more judges to meet growing requirements.. ..He stressed the independence of the Saudi judicial system and said it was based on the Qur�an and Sunnah. He advised the media against creating confusion and suspicion in the minds of the public about the judiciary and judges.." [more]

January 18-January 24, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 24]~~~~~~~~~

King Receives Phone Calls From Obama, Clinton [Jan 24]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, received telephone calls Friday from US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The discussions covered �developments in the Middle East, regional and international issues of mutual concern and Saudi-US relations,� the Saudi Press Agency reported. Also reviewed were �the firm and distinguished relations binding the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields so as to serve the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples,� SPA said. The telephone calls further demonstrate the Obama administration�s Middle East focus.." [more]

King Wants to See Stable Pakistan: Asseri [Jan 24]
"Saudi Arabia�s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri said here yesterday that his country wants to see Pakistan become �a strong and stable country.� Asseri said a stable Pakistan was in the best interest of Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Arab News, Asseri said that Chief of Intelligence of the Kingdom Prince Muqrin, who recently visited Pakistan, had brought a message for the Pakistani leadership that was �very loud and clear�: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was keen to see Pakistan as a stable, strong and prosperous country.. ..'Prince Muqrin visited Pakistan at a time when there�s tension between Pakistan and India after Mumbai terrorist attacks. It has remained our policy vis-�-vis Pakistan and India to see peace and security in South Asia, and we have made efforts to de-escalate tension between Islamabad and New Delhi.' 'Pakistan is already engaged in efforts to combat domestic terrorism and it needs stability, domestic peace and political harmony among all the political forces. Therefore, we feel, both Pakistan and India should resolve their problems or disputes through peaceful dialogue,' the ambassador said.." [more]

Saudi Arabian University Funds Cornell Energy Research [Jan 24]
"Last May, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia awarded Cornell a grant to fund the KAUST-Cornell Center for Energy and Sustainability. Through the grant, Cornell receives $5 million dollars every year for five years from KAUST for sustainability research. According to Prof. Lynden Archer, chemical and biomolecular engineering and a co-Principal Investigator of the of the center, KAUST is a university that the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah commissioned and is now in its early stages of construction. The university felt that it was important to develop research partnerships with leading schools around the world, using the Singapore-MIT alliance as a model. 'KAUST recognized that they needed to have partnerships with established universities. As a result, they created a global research partnership in which they 
invited around 60 universities to propose research centers that could be funded by KAUST to do research and also interact with the university,'.." [more]

Saudi-Turkish Summit Feb. 3 [Jan 24]
"The Saudi-Turkish summit will be held in Riyadh on Feb. 3. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Abduallh Gul, Turkish President, will focus on the developments in Gaza after the ceasefire and the overall situation in the Mideast and Iraq. Naji Koro, the Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom, said the Turkish President�s visit will give a new thrust to the already strong bilateral relations and strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Rebound After Poor Week [Jan 24]
"Saudi stocks rebounded five percent on Saturday to recover much of last week's losses, as Etihad Atheeb Telecom tested investors interest with the first IPO in five months. The Tadawul All Shares Index closed the first day of the Saudi trading week at 4,786.83 points, 5.05 percent higher than Wednesday's close of 4,556.80. Petrochemicals giant Sabic, whose unexpected 95.5 percent plunge in fourth-quarter earnings was the main factor in the index's 7.7 percent fall last week, gained 8.84 percent to close at 44.30 riyals (11.81 dollars). Multi-billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Kingdom Holding conglomerate, whose report of a 8.3 billion dollar fourth-quarter loss on Tuesday also pulled the market down during the last trading week, rose 1.12 percent to 4.50 riyals (1.20 dollars). The market's resilience will be tested by the 300 million riyal (80 million dollar) initial public offering on Saturday of Etihad Atheeb Telecom, which holds Saudi Arabia's second license for fixed-line telephone networks.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 23]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Prince Says U.S. Ties at Risk Over Mideast [Jan 23]
"A member of Saudi Arabia's royal family warned U.S. President Barack Obama Friday the Middle East peace process and U.S.-Saudi ties were at risk unless Washington changed tack on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel had come close to 'killing the prospect of peace' with its offensive in Gaza, Prince Turki al-Faisal wrote in an article published on the Financial Times's website. 'Unless the new U.S. administration takes forceful steps to prevent any further suffering and slaughter of Palestinians, the peace process, the U.S.-Saudi relationship and the stability of the region are at risk,' said Turki, a former Saudi intelligence chief and former ambassador to the United States and Britain.. ..Former U.S. President George W. Bush's administration had left a "sickening legacy" in the Middle East, Turki wrote, singling out the Iraq war. The Bush administration had also contributed to the 'slaughter of innocents' in Gaza, said Turki, who currently holds no official government position in the world's top crude oil exporter.." [more]

Shields Rise Against Taliban Crusade in Saudi [Jan 23]
"Saudi intellectuals denounced on Thursday extremism, obscurantism and bigotry, more than ten days after a "criminal" fire, which they attributed to religious radicals in the ultraconservative kingdom, had ravaged the premises of a cultural club where a poetry evening was supposed to be held.. ..On January 12, a poetry evening was supposed to be organized at Al-Jawf Cultural Club, the largest town in the Northern Province, bordering Jordan.. ..According to the police, it is a criminal act ... a trademark of radicals who are opposed to any form of co-education. The President of the Club, Ibrahim Al-Homaid, told the press that the management had received several anonymous phone calls demanding the cancellation of the poetry evening. A few hours before the incident, the Club�s receptionist recorded several anonymous calls to confirm the presence of a woman in the event. 'It is clear that the perpetrators of this crime are steeped in the medieval culture that drove the Taliban led by Mullah Fazlullah to burn more than 150 girls� schools in Swat Valley (northwestern Pakistan) to deprive them of education,'.." [more]

Freed by U.S., Saudi Becomes a Qaeda Chief [Jan 23]
"The emergence of a former Guant�namo Bay detainee as the deputy leader of Al Qaeda�s Yemeni branch has underscored the potential complications in carrying out the executive order President Obama signed Thursday that the detention center be shut down within a year. The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Yemen�s capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi 
rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen. His status was announced in an Internet statement by the militant group and was confirmed by an American counterterrorism official.. ..A Saudi security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mr. Shihri had disappeared from his home in Saudi Arabia last year after finishing the rehabilitation program.." [more]

Violence Increasing Among Kingdom�s Teenagers [Jan 23]
"A recent upsurge in violence among teenagers has reached a dangerous level with many carrying knives, cleavers and daggers to use during fights. Sociologists, psychologists, and other professionals have said the spread of this dangerous behavior can be linked to a lack of parental supervision as well as the failure of social, educational and security institutions.. ..Shoura Council member, Abdullah Barjs Al-Douwasri, said 'bloody fights between young people occur all over the world, but they are more noticeable in less-educated societies.' He also said parents are to blame because instead of trying to solve the problem, they make it worse.. ..parents should teach their sons the value of solving a problem using tolerance and forgiveness so that they can avoid situations which can end tragically.." [more]

Saudis to be Offered Culturally Detested Jobs [Jan 23]
"Young Saudi men and women will embark upon a new cultural dimension by applying to work in professions that used to be among the most detested jobs in Saudi culture during the 18th employment fair in Madina in March. At the top of the list of professions which Saudis have traditionally found least attractive are jobs, such as, factory milking specialist, construction worker, auto-body repair worker, carpenter, and blacksmith.. ..There are reportedly at least 600,000 unemployed Saudis. In a recruitment program dubbed 'Our Experience for the Future' at Arar Technical College, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, said it is 'unacceptable' to have such a large number of unemployed Saudis in a country with 6 million foreign workers.." [more]

Modalities of National Health Care Plan Being Worked Out [Jan 23]
"The Kingdom has drawn up a national health plan on the instructions of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said Health Minister Hamad Al-Manie while inaugurating a symposium on the role of Saudi doctors in the health system. 'The ministry has approved the health plan and it has been forwarded to a committee of experts to work out the modalities,' said Al-Manie. He added that the new plan is designed to coordinate the work among service providers, financiers and beneficiaries. The minister said that it took two years for the ministry officials to prepare the plan. According to the new plan, the ministry will have a board in each health region to evaluate and supervise the implementation of public health care services. 'The respective bodies will directly report to the ministry headquarters in the capital,' he said. Al-Manie said 42 new hospitals have been established and 40 more will be completed by the end of the year.." [more]

Jeddah, Jakarta Sign Trade Deal [Jan 23]
"The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its counterpart in Jakarta have decided to establish networking for mutual benefits of businessmen in the two cities. This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by JCCI Vice Chairman Mazen Batterjee and Eddy Kuntadi, chairman of the Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 'The MoU on economic cooperation was inked in Jakarta on Wednesday,' Djoko Agoeng Rahardjo, consul and head of economic affairs at the Consulate General of Indonesia, told Arab News yesterday. Present at the signing ceremony was Saudi Ambassador to Jakarta Abdurahman Khayat and Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Gatot Abdullah Mansyur. Rahardjo said the MoU is driven by the objective of further promoting trade, and technical and economic cooperation between the two countries.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 22]~~~~~~~~~

Obama Kick-Starts Middle East Diplomacy; First Call From White House Goes to Abbas [Jan 22]
"Barack Hussein Obama wasted no time plunging into foreign policy on his first full day in office yesterday, finally freed from the constraints of tradition that had forced him and his staff to remain silent about world affairs until he became president. Obama made a flurry of calls to Arab and Israeli leaders in a signal that Middle East peacemaking is a top priority following Israeli aggression against Gaza. A Palestinian spokesman said that Obama had told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he was the recipient of his first call as the 44th US president. The White House source confirmed the calls, on condition of anonymity, and said Obama also telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan�s King Abdallah.." [more]

King Faisal�s Palace to Become University [Jan 22]
"The family of late King Faisal has donated the Riyadh palace of the late monarch to set up a non-profit Alfaisal University. Besides, the family has donated SR500 million for the purpose, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, announced here on Wednesday.. ..The proposed university will offer bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees in business, medicine, science and engineering. The university will also exchange programs with US and UK academic institutions, Prince Khaled said.  Businessmen, he urged, should support non-profit establishments and take care of private education. Prince Khaled said private education is a crucial channel to create a generation that is able to hold the responsibility and contribute in the national development.." [more]

Unknown Attackers Burn Saudi Embassy Car in Greece [Jan 22]
"A car belonging to the Saudi Arabian embassy was firebombed by unknown assailants in Athens early on Thursday, Greek police said. 'Police found a homemade bomb placed under the Saudi Arabian embassy car, which was on fire," a police official said. "There was little damage and no injuries.' Last April, two cars belonging to the Saudi Arabian embassy were torched in Athens on consecutive days. A leftist group calling itself 'Subversive Cell' claimed responsibility for those attacks. It said they were committed in response to the trial of a suspected criminal involved in a bank robbery. Cars belonging to diplomats, businessmen and politicians have often been targeted by Greek anarchists.." [more]

Thai PM Orders Police to Get Solution on Saudi Diplomats Murder Case [Jan 22]
"Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday ordered police to make more efforts to investigate into the murder case of four Saudi diplomats. 'If the case remain unsolved, it will affect the country's image regarding justice,' said Premier, according to Bangkok Post Website. The murder case has strained diplomatic relations between the two countries and Thai laborers have been banned from working in Saudi Arabia. The statute of limitations of this case will expire next year. Saudi diplomat Abdullah Al-Maliki was gunned down in Bangkok in1989. Diplomats Adbullah A Al-Besri, Fahad A Z Albahli and Ahmed AAlsaif were assassinated in January 1990. The deaths were purportedly linked to the theft of priceless jewelry from a Saudi prince.. ..Several past Thai governments have attempted in vain to upgrade relations with Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Doubts and Problems Over Saudi Succession [Jan 22]
"Problematic scenarios are being presented by the fact that in Saudi Arabia, there has been open talk about the health of Prince Sultan, the designated successor to King Abdullah, who is 86 years old.. ..Succession to the Saudi throne, unlike what generally happens in monarchies, does not pass from father to son, but from brother to brother. After the death of the founder of the monarchy, King Ibn Saud, in 1953, in fact, the throne passed to the oldest of his 35 sons, and it was from among them that the next heir was chosen, who accompanied the reigning monarch until succession.. .. if the succession to the Saudi throne remains as it is now, a country that is key in both Middle Eastern politics and in the world oil market would find itself ruled by a sick and elderly king (Sultan) in the place of another elderly and frail king (Abdullah), who would be followed by another elderly monarch, given the current age of the potential crown princes. In addition to this, little is known about the ideas and character of these men. This is unless a king decides to change the line of succession.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 21]~~~~~~~~~

King�s Call Heralds a New Era of Unity [Jan 21]
"Arab leaders yesterday lauded the historic speech made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at the Arab Economic Summit in Kuwait, saying it heralds a new era of Arab unity and solidarity.. ..In his impassionate and inspiring speech, the Saudi king said: 'Allow me to announce in all our names that we have overcome the period of disunity, opening the door of Arab brotherhood, and that of unity for all Arabs without exception or reservation, and that we will face the future with total unity and without any discord.'.. ..In his speech King Abdullah told Palestinians that their internal dispute is more threatening to their cause than the Israeli invasion. He said Arab disunity and dissension were aiding the treacherous Israeli enemy and those who seek to disunite the Arabs for their regional objectives.." [more]

Sabic, Saudi Telecom Lead Bourse Lower [Jan 21]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) and Saudi Telecommunications Co fell 5.68 percent and 10 percent respectively on the Saudi stock market after posting poor fourth-quarter results. Citigroup shareholder Kingdom Holding plunged 7.32 percent after posting a $8.3 billion loss in the fourth quarter. The kingdom's benchmark is off 1.49 percent at 4,478 points. Sabic's profits plunged 95.5 percent and Saudi Telecom posted a 62 percent drop in earnings. Samba Financial fell 1.02 percent after its fourth-quarter profit declined 13.5 percent.." [more]

Education System Failing Saudi Jobs Initiative [Jan 21]
"Young Saudis are willing to take menial, entry level jobs but Saudisation is failing because the kingdom�s education system is letting them down, one of Saudi Arabia�s most outspoken businesswomen has said. The problem is not that young Saudis do not want to work, but that an outdated education system that is failing to provide them with the right skills, Nadia Aldossary, 
chief executive of scrap metal company Al Sale Trading Co, said.. ..More than 60 percent of the kingdom�s population is estimated to be under 18 years old, which will lead to a 112 percent increase in the total workforce over the next five years. At the moment, 83 percent of all jobs in the private sector are held by foreigners. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in education but private sector employers complain that the standards of vocational training remain low due to a lack of independent oversight.." [more]

Muslim Clerics Oppose Modernist Fatwas [Jan 21]
" An international conference of ulema or religious scholars meeting in the Saudi holy city of Mecca has moved to stop what it calls 'modernist' fatwas or religious edicts, such as female imams or assisted reproductive technology for men.. ..The conference's final communique called for institutions that teach Islamic law to implement the agreed guidelines in their curricula and for Muslim countries to appoint qualified muftis.. ..the Saudi government has made attempts to counter 'fake' or 'defective' fatwas by inviting large numbers of religious scholars to agree on a standardised way of who can issue a them. The four-day conference, organised by the Fiqh Academy, a subsidiary of the Muslim World League, concluded in Mecca on Tuesday.." [more]

Masdar, GE Unveil World�s First Ecomagination Center [Jan 21]
"Masdar announced on Tuesday that GE will be an anchor partner in Masdar City. In a joint Masdar-GE agreement, the two companies outlined plans to house a new Ecomagination Center, focused on sustainable business solutions and to form a broader R&D relationship that will support the development and deployment of new and innovative technologies.. ..Masdar City, currently under construction, will be the world�s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city completely powered by renewable energy. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of Mubadala Development Company. The City is a reflection of the long term strategic commitment by the government of Abu Dhabi to accelerate the development and deployment of future energy solutions.. ..The Ecomagination Center at Masdar City will support the development of energy efficient products in the region and will raise awareness of energy conservation.." [more]

Saudi Aluminum Smelter Delayed After Rio Pullout [Jan 21]
"Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) will delay by three years the start of production at a planned aluminium smelter, its chief executive said after mining giant Rio Tinto Alcan abandoned the project. Rio Tinto Alcan said in December it had dropped plans to take a 49 percent stake in the $10 billion smelter because of the global financial crisis. 'We are looking for the plant to be in production in 2015,' Chief Executive Abdullah Dabbagh told Reuters in an interview. The two companies had initially announced plans to start production at the smelter in 2012. Maaden, in which the Saudi government is the largest shareholder, holds the remaining 51 percent in the capital of AlumCo. It Intends to develop a 740,000 tonnes per year aluminum smelter using bauxite from Saudi mines.." [more]

Saudi Firm to Build Houses, Mosques in Gaza [Jan 21]
"A Saudi real estate company announced yesterday that it would build 300 houses and 30 mosques in the Gaza Strip in response to a call by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to support Palestinians in the war-torn territory. Sumu Real Estate Company said it had informed the King Abdullah Campaign to Support Palestinians in Gaza that it would meet the expenses of building 300 housing units and 30 mosques in various parts of the territory. The Saudi company�s decision reflects the tremendous support received by the campaign from Saudi businessmen and philanthropists. The nationwide campaign has so far received more than SR216.2 million in cash.." [more]

Kingdom�s Economy Set to Rebound in 2010 [Jan 21]
"Saudi Arabia�s economy is heading for a rebound in 2010 and is expected to post real growth of around 4 percent. However, the impact of the global credit crunch and low oil prices has continued to depress activity in the non-oil economy, according to Samba Economic Monitor for January. The Kingdom announced its 2009 budget in late December. The key feature of the budget is the projected deficit which is equivalent to around 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). 'From the budget it is clear that the government will maintain spending in a bid to offset weakening private sector confidence and keep key infrastructure projects on track,' Howard Handy, chief economist of Samba Financial Group, said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 20]~~~~~~~~~

Peace Offer Not Open-Ended: King [Jan 20]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday demanded a quick, positive response from Israel to the Arab peace initiative, warning it would not stay on the table forever. 'Israel must understand that the choice between war and peace will not always stay open and that the Arab peace initiative that is on the table today will not remain there indefinitely,' King Abdullah said while addressing the Arab economic summit in Kuwait City. He announced a donation of $1 billion from the Kingdom to help rebuild the Gaza Strip after the devastating Israeli offensive, and lambasted the Jewish state for its excessive use of force on the people of Gaza.. ..The peace plan offers Israel collective Arab recognition in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from territory it occupied in the 1967 war, the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution for the problem of Palestinian refugees.." [more]

HRC Welcomes Justice Ministry Move to Stop Child Marriages [Jan 20]
"The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has taken steps to end marriages involving minors following the high-profile coverage of such matrimonies in the Kingdom. According to the HRC, the Ministry of Justice has begun studying ways to set a minimum age for marriage. It is expected that the minimum age will be set at 16. 'The Justice Ministry�s initiative is a good sign and we absolutely welcome and support it. We will join all efforts to eliminate this phenomenon,' said Zuhair Al-Harithy, the HRC�s official spokesman and a member of its board. 'The commission�s view on this matter is clear. We are completely against it. We have stated more than once that such marriages violate international agreements concerning children,' he added. The HRC has recently taken an active role against marriages involving children.." [more]

Intelligent City Concept in Focus [Jan 20]
"Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated the Intelligent City Conference 2009 last night at King Abdul Aziz Hall at Umm Al-Qura University. This conference is considered the biggest event specialized in this field that has been witnessed in the Kingdom. This event aims at speeding up the usage of the up-to-date intelligent city techniques to improve the services at the Grand Mosque and facilitating the residency and transportation of guests of God. This conference witnessed the participation of many leaders in development and information technology specialists in both the public and private sectors. There are many main topics that will be covered in this conference. The first topic will cover the familiarization of the needs of smart cities and review successful initiatives of new smart cities.." [more]

Japan, India, Saudi Ministers to Discuss Slowing Oil Investment [Jan 20]
"Energy and trade ministers from Japan, India, Saudi Arabia and 17 other Asian and Middle Eastern nations will gather in Tokyo in April for talks on reviving investment in oil and gas projects after crude prices tumbled. Japanese Trade Minister Toshihiro Nikai and Qatari Oil Minister Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah will co-chair the third meeting of the Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable on April 19, the trade ministry said in a statement in Tokyo today. Oil ministers from Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates plan to take part. There�s growing concern among policy makers of both oil- producing and consuming nations that a global recession will further slash fuel demand and cut investment in crude and natural gas projects, Yota Ono, director of international affairs at the ministry, told reporters today in Tokyo.. ..The first round of talks was held in January 2005 after India proposed a gathering of oil producers and consumers, according to the statement. The second meeting was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2007.." [more]

Gulf Stocks Sink as SABIC Q4 Sounds Alarm Bells [Jan 20]
"Gulf stocks sank to multi-year lows on Tuesday as investors saw a dive in profit at Saudi Basic Industries Corp 2010.SE (SABIC) as a sign that the region was not as immune to the global downturn as they had thought. Petrochemicals giant SABIC became the latest firm in the world's biggest oil-exporting region to drastically miss analysts' forecasts with a surprise 95.5-percent plunge in fourth-quarter profit. SABIC shares tumbled 9.8 percent, leading declines on all seven bourses in the Gulf, where benchmarks fell as much as 72 percent last year amid a collapse in crude prices that brought a regional economic boom to an end. 'SABIC is a bellwether stock not only in Saudi Arabia but for the entire Gulf, and markets will take a cue from it'.." [more]

MTV Arabia Announces Exclusive Sponsorship of Jeddah United Basketball Tournament [Jan 20]
"MTV Arabia, the leading youth entertainment channel, announced today its sponsorship of the 'Jeddah United Basketball tournament' to be held in Saudi Arabia, Alroshan Mall in Jeddah, from January 14-23. Through its first direct interaction with youth in Saudi, MTV Arabia aims through this tournament to promote the importance of sports and inculcate the spirit of competition and excellence among young people. The 'Jeddah United Basketball Tournament' will consist of 20 amateur teams that will compete throughout the entire week. The winning team will receive 15,000 Saudi Riyals, in addition to scholarships provided by the Prince Sultan College for tourism and business.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 19]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia to Donate $1 Billion to Rebuild Gaza [Jan 19]
" The Saudi king said Monday his country will donate $1 billion to help rebuild the Gaza Strip after the devastating Israeli offensive and told Israel that an Arab initiative offering peace will not remain on the table forever. King Abdullah's comments at an Arab economic summit in Kuwait City were his first since Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas declared a fragile cease-fire to halt three weeks of violence in Gaza that killed more than 1,250 Palestinians. 'Israel has to understand that the choice 
between war and peace will not always stay open and that the Arab peace initiative that is on the table today will not stay on the table,' said Abdullah during a speech. The initiative, which was first proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and relaunched in March 2007, offers Israel collective Arab recognition in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from territory it occupied in the 1967 war, the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution for the problem of Palestinian refugees. Israel initially rejected the initiative in 2002, but in the past year has said it could be a starting point for discussion.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Cut Rates as Growth Slows, Oil Falls [Jan 19]
"Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two biggest Arab economies, cut their benchmark interest rates by half a percentage point after oil prices tumbled and economic growth was forecast to slow. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency reduced its key repurchase rate to 2 percent and its reverse repurchase rate to 0.75 percent from 1.5 percent, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported today. The U.A.E. central bank said in an e-mailed statement that it lowered its repurchase rate to 1 percent. Central banks across the Persian Gulf have been cutting rates, guaranteeing deposits and lending to banks to help avert a liquidity crisis as foreign investors pulled money out of the region due to the global credit crunch and crude oil prices tumbled almost 75 percent from their July high. The Saudi rate cut is the fifth since Oct. 12.." [more]

Saudi Businessman Files Suit Over US Terror List [Jan 19]
"A Saudi businessman filed a law suit in Washington, D.C. to be removed from a U.S. list of people accused of financing al-Qaida, he said Monday. Yasin al-Qadi told the Associated Press that the lawsuit, filed on Friday at a Washington, D.C. court, alleges that he has been wrongfully accused of financing terrorism. 'The lawsuit was filed after several unsuccessful attempts to have this issue resolved with the U.S. government,' he said by telephone from the western port city of Jiddah. 'We discovered that the government had no intention to remove my name from the list.' Al-Qadi's charitable Muwafaq foundation was identified by the U.S. Treasury department as an al-Qaida front and placed on a terror list in October 2001.. ..Al-Qadi, 54, has denied the accusations, and said Monday that the foundation was closed even before the hijackings.." [more]

Shoura OKs Agreement With Greece on Double-Taxation [Jan 19]
"The Shoura Council on Sunday approved a draft agreement between the Kingdom and Greece to avoid double-taxation. The agreement also stipulates tax evasion prevention concerning taxes on income and capital and the draft protocol accompanying it.The Council met under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman Dr. Bandar Bin Mohammad Hamzah Al-Hajjar. The session also approved a recommendation on the difference of opinion between the Council of Ministers and the Shoura Council on draft procedures of concluding international agreements. The difference of opinion between the Council of Ministers and the Shoura Council is mainly confined to three words and terms contained in the first and third articles of the original draft regulation.." [more]

Fatwa is Not the Sole Factor Guiding Society: Al-Oudah [Jan 19]
"Prominent Saudi scholar Sheikh Salman Al-Oudah said yesterday that fatwas were not the sole guideline for Muslim societies, and factors such as the media and cultural pressures influence their thinking and action. 'The fatwa should work side by side with the leaders of thought, politics and media in complete harmony for the creation of a better society,' he said. Al-Oudah was speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of an international conference on fatwa and its regulations that began in Makkah on Saturday evening. Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal opened the conference on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.. ..Al-Oudah described the Makkah conference as a new addition in the search for correct fatwas and described it as a forum where participants of different cultural backgrounds can exchange ideas.." [more]

Opportunities Abound in Kingdom�s Mining Sector [Jan 19]
"The second International Exhibition for Mineral Exploration and Development (MENA-EX 2009) opened for business on a positive note yesterday morning with the Kingdom described to mining experts as offering 'limitless opportunities, limited only by your own vision.' In�s Scotland, MD and FEO of Citadel Resource Group, noted that as a result of the global financial crisis business growth had slowed. She added that the mining sector would on the long term recover. 'Saudi Arabia and the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region is the new mining development area,' she told Arab News after her speech covering the establishment of her company in the Kingdom. 'They have been very open and supportive throughout the process,' she said, commenting on the Kingdom�s help in the establishment of Citadel. She added that mining interests were a new feature to the government. 'There is a shortage of infrastructure as yet and still some way to go, but we had no real problems at all.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 18]~~~~~~~~~

Barrage of Fire in Gaza, Online Intifada in Saudi [Jan 18]
"The Israeli flag in flames, hundreds of thousands of signatures, thousands of films, posters, photos and cartoons to denounce the "holocaust" in Gaza: Saudi Arabia, red lines are crossed on the Web.. ..in the east of Saudi Arabia, hundreds of blogs and forums have flourished on the Web to carry out jihad (holy war) against Israel and the 'puppet' Arab regimes. 'We are all for Gaza', reads a banner on the blog .. ..Today, the kingdom - with a population of 28.14 million, including 5.57 million expatriates - is under the influence of 'Internet fever'. With over 6.2 million users in 2007, Saudi Arabia has got the 37th largest number of Internet users in the world, according to statistics compiled on December 18, 2008 by the CIA. 'By heavily showing their anger on the Web, Saudis prove they are the most faithful (Muslims) to the Palestinian cause,' wrote a Saudi blogger.." [more]

Saudis Call to Curb Extremist Fatwas [Jan 18]
"Saudi Arabia is calling for tougher guidelines on issuing fatwas, or Muslim religious edicts, in order to combat the spreading of what Riyadh calls 'ill-considered' fatwas issued by unqualified scholars. The call is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to stem religious extremism. Saudi Arabia has been fighting a homegrown terrorist threat since 2003.. ..More than 170 Muslims scholars from around the world are currently gathered in Mecca for a five-day conference organized by the Mecca-based Muslim World League's Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) Academy. The Muslim world is being plagued by a tendency to deliver fatwas by unqualified people, Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abd Al-Aziz said in a statement read out at the conference. This is especially prevalent on satellite channels, the Internet and other forms of communication, he said. Some of these edicts were being issued without any criterion by biased, ignorant, careless or extremist individuals posing as religious experts, the king added. 'They have been abusing Islam and distorting its noble values,'.." [more]

Detained Saudi Gaza Protestors Freed [Jan 18]
"Twenty-three people arrested in eastern Saudi Arabia during protests last month against Israel's deadly offensive against Gaza have been freed, a human rights group based in the kingdom said on Sunday. The protestors, most of whom are from the kingdom's Shiite Muslim minority, were arrested by the authorities more than two weeks ago on charges of participating in public protests in support of Gaza, Human Rights First said. The protestors were forced to sign a statement saying they had responded to calls from abroad to join the protests, the watchdog's president, Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb, told AFP. Twenty-two of the protestors were released on Saturday. Activist Kamel Abbas al-Ahmed, who refused to sign the statement, was freed a day later without signing it, Mugaiteeb said. The group dubbed the authorities' pressure on the detainees to sign the statement 'illegal' and called on them to withdraw it.." [more]

Pentagon Transfers Four Saudi Detainees From Guantanamo [Jan 18]
"The Department of Defense (The Pentagon) announced on Sunday the transfer of six detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, two days before the new US administration takes office. A Pentagon statement said these detainees 'were determined to be eligible for departure following a comprehensive series of review processes.' Four detainees were transferred to Iraq, one to Algeria, and one to Afghanistan. 'The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing an unprecedented step in the history of warfare,' noted the statement. President-elect Barack Obama has reiterated his intentions to close Guantanamo.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Export Power in 5 Years [Jan 18]
"Saudi Arabia will start exporting power to the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the next five years, according to a power expert. Delivering his keynote address on 'Recent trends in power and water supply,' Paddy Padmanathan, CEO and president of ACWA Power International, a private power consultant and developer, told a technical seminar organized by Institution of Engineers Pakistan -- Saudi Arabian Center (IEP-SAC) in Riyadh on Thursday that both power and water now remained essential commodities like rice and wheat. He laid out the Kingdom's vision for addressing the next generation needs for power and focused his lecture on the initiatives of the Kingdom vis-�-vis creation of the culture of 'private power and water' projects.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Tumble Amid Weak Q4, Crude Prices [Jan 18]
"Saudi shares continued a week-long decline yesterday as companies revealed weak fourth quarter earnings and oil prices failed to rise despite production cuts. Stocks in the world�s top oil producer dropped 4.8% to 4700.31. In the last week the index lost most of the gains racked up in a nine-day run at the beginning of the year. Banks fell sharply as concerns mount over potential write-downs linked to the subprime crisis lingering on balance sheets. Samba Financial Group plunged 9.87% to 42 riyals and Al Rajhi Bank slipped 6.38% to 55.50 riyals. 'Investors are unsure what exposure to subprime loans abroad Saudi banks have,'.." [more]

King to Lead Delegation to Kuwait Summit [Jan 18]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will lead the Kingdom�s delegation to the first Arab socioeconomic summit to be opened in Kuwait Monday. The situation in Gaza is expected to dominate the summit�s deliberations as per the recommendations of Arab foreign ministers who have unanimously decided in their ministerial meeting that the first session be fully devoted to the issue. The Arab leaders are expected to give their consent to the draft resolution submitted by Arab foreign ministers on Gaza confirming the commitment of Arab leaders to the reconstruction of Gaza in coordination with the Palestinian Authority. It is estimated to cost about $2 billion.." [more]

Ground Bridge Second Convoy Leaves With Aid [Jan 18]
"A convoy of seven trailers full of humanitarian aid carrying a total of 170 tons of medical supplies, equipment and food items left for Gaza yesterday. The so-called 'Ground Bridge,' established by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on Jan. 3, is being conducted in collaboration with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the relief mission of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The aid conveys are expected to reach the Sinai Peninsula city Nuweiba by tomorrow after crossing the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry. Once in Nuweiba the convoy will be met by the Egyptian and Palestinians aid workers who will queue the supplies for transit into Gaza at the Rafah crossing.." [more]

January 11-January 17, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 17]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Conference Seeks to Give Guidance on Islamic Fatwas [Jan 17]
"Muslim scholars from around the world gathered in Mecca on Saturday for a conference aimed at giving guidance on fatwas, the crucial Islamic legal rulings that guide the lives of hundreds of millions of Muslims. The five-day Fatwa and its Regulation conference organised by the Muslim World League (MWL) was to address the crafting and issuing of fatwas in the modern age, when complex matters and the rapid dissemination of rulings over the Internet have led to contradictory and controversial opinions by those interpreting sharia, or Islamic law. Conference organisers said they hoped to come out with overall guidelines for issuing fatwas, as Islam has no central authority to issue fatwas.. ..Fatwas have also become troublesome for governments. In late December the Saudi government arrested Sheikh Awad al-Qarni after he issued a fatwa calling for attacks on Israelis in retaliation for the Jewish state's assault on the Gaza Strip.." [more]

Saudi Reveals Design Plans for Mega-Port [Jan 17]
"Final blue prints for the sea port being built as part of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest ever private finance initiative in Saudi Arabia, were unveiled Saturday. The Jeddah-based port is being built by Emmar Economic City (EEC), a consortium headed by Emaar and a number of high profile investors from the Kingdom, and will be the consortium's flagship development in the country. The port is part of the SR100 billion (US$26.6 billion) KAEC project that will also house an industrial district, financial island, education zone, resorts and residential area. Based on initial forecasts, the project and its several components, will create up to 500,000 employment opportunities in the various industries and service-oriented companies that will open in the city.." [more]

No Jobs for Smokers at Ministry of Health [Jan 17]
"Smokers are not welcome to apply for jobs at the Ministry of Health, a new decision by Hamad Al-Mane�, Minister of Health, said. The decision has come in an early attempt to hit the tobacco companies operating in the Kingdom before a pending case against them filed by the ministry is settled. Tobacco dealers in the Kingdom have officially been prohibited from submitting any bids for medicine or deals with the Ministry of Health, the decision added. The ministry also stopped issuing any medical business licenses for any company operated by or affiliated with a tobacco company. Health insurance will be priced higher for smokers, the ministry instructed the secretary general of the Health Insurance Council, as there are higher medical costs associated with smokers.." [more]

NSHR Wants Rights Websites Unblocked [Jan 17]
"The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has asked the Communications and Information Technology Commission to unblock a group of blacklisted international websites of human rights bodies. 'The NSHR has received no response to our request to unblock these websites of international human rights organizations with their valuable content of human rights information,' said Saleh Al-Khathlan, deputy chairman of the NSHR. It is not clear how many websites of international human rights organizations are currently blocked in the Kingdom, but the websites of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), Human Rights Watch, and a few others can be accessed in the Kingdom. The blockage of the websites of these human rights organizations is a violation of national and international laws that allow the public to access human rights websites as part of the human right of freedom of speech.." [more]

Arab Bourses Expected to Suffer Further [Jan 17]
"Saudi shares suffered throughout the week, led by the petrochemical and banking sectors. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plunged 7.27 percent last week, closing at 4,935.33 points from 5,322.22 points previous week. 'The market will continue its narrow fluctuations around 5,000 points, while investors are waiting for banks to disclose their financial results. This will give investors an indication of the magnitude of the effect of the global financial crisis on this sector which represents 38 percent of the market cap,' the Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group (BIG) said in its weekly commentary.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 16]~~~~~~~~~

Halt Genocide: GCC Summit [Jan 16]
"Leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an emergency summit here last night and discussed ways and means to stop Israel�s war on Gaza that has so far claimed close to 1,100 lives. The leaders endorsed a broader agreement that calls for renewed efforts to halt the genocide and open corridors for relief supplies in the war-battered Gaza Strip. The summit, which was called by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, urged the international community to stop the Israeli attack. The GCC leaders went into a closed-door session soon after their arrival at the Dirriyah Palace in the Saudi capital. The summit coincided with an emergency session of the UN General Assembly in New York.." [more]

Oil Slides 5% as OPEC Cuts Demand Forecast [Jan 16]
"The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), supplier of more than 40 percent of the world�s oil, said demand for its crude will fall 4.2 percent this year as the deepening recession reduces spending on fuels. Consumption of OPEC�s crude will shrink 1.4 million barrels a day to 29.5 million barrels a day, according to a monthly report from the producer group on Thursday. That level of demand is 720,000 barrels less than it predicted last month. OPEC also shaved its world oil demand estimate for 2009 to 85.66 million barrels a day. OPEC lowered its estimate for 2009 worldwide oil demand this year by 20,000 barrels a day to 85.66 million barrels a day. That means demand will contract by 180,000 barrels a day, or 0.2 percent, similar to the percentage in last month�s report.." [more]

SCTA to Prioritize Employment of Saudis [Jan 16]
"The Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities has set new rules and regulations concerning hotel rating. It has also come up with strategies to boost investment and meet requirements for a skilled national labor force in the tourism industry through a sustained program of training. The commission�s latest moves follow the Kingdom�s $38 billion tourism strategy approved by the Council of Ministers. Sites in Madinah and Jeddah are set to be the first of up to 19 development projects aimed at attracting domestic tourists. The Kingdom is investing in resorts along the Red Sea coast to attract visitors and create jobs.." [more]

Media Reflect Arab Rifts Over Gaza [Jan 16]
"Media in the Arab world reflect deep differences among Arab leaders on the diplomatic way forward on the Gaza conflict. The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Musa, has spoken of what he called "the great chaos" in Arab ranks over the situation in Gaza.. ..The gathering in Doha is opposed by a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, who believe it could scupper Egyptian efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas. Qatar's emir, Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah al-Thani, has said the purpose of the summit is not to jeopardise truce efforts but to adopt a unified Arab position on Israel's offensive.. ..'Egypt and Saudi Arabia believe that holding the Qatari summit - which will increase media feuding without coming up with a unified result - will weaken the Arab position further,' said an editorial in Saudi daily al-Watan.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 15]~~~~~~~~~

Ahmadinejad Urges Saudi King to Speak Up on Gaza [Jan 15]
"Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is urging Saudi Arabia's king to break his 'silence' over Israel's Gaza offensive which Palestinian medical officials say has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians. Thursday's report by the official IRNA news agency quotes Ahmadinejad as saying in a rare message to Abdullah: 'Break your silence over the massacre of your children in Gaza.'  Ahmadinejad urged Abdullah to clearly announce his stance to 'demolish hopes' of those seeking to forge a rift among Islamic countries. Arab nations have been at odds how to deal with the conflict. The kingdom is hosting a meeting Thursday on Gaza of Gulf countries.." [more]

Striking Chinese Workers Deported From Saudi [Jan 15]
"Twenty-three Chinese construction workers who went on strike for better pay in Saudi Arabia have been deported, the China Daily reported on Thursday, citing the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh. Chinese labourers are employed in construction projects throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa, because of their cheap wages and discipline. Twenty-three Chinese construction workers who went on strike for better pay in Saudi Arabia have been deported, the China Daily reported on Thursday, citing the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh. Chinese labourers are employed in construction projects throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa, because of their cheap wages and discipline.. ..Relatives in Sichuan got text messages from the workers after some were arrested for going on strike, asking for help from the Chinese government, the paper said. Striking is illegal in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Saudi Intel Chief Meets Top Afghan Officials [Jan 15]
"Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief met Wednesday with top officials in Afghanistan, the government said, likely part of a behind-the-scenes effort to smooth hostilities between the Afghan government and insurgents seeking to overthrow it. Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other government leaders during his Wednesday trip to the Afghan capital, the statement said. He also met with opposition leader Burhanuddin Rabbani and other former jihadi leaders who fought against Soviet occupation but are now involved in the political process. Muqrin was sent to Kabul by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, the statement said, without disclosing the content of the talks.." [more]

Confusion Over Three Summits [Jun 15]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has called for an emergency summit meeting of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states to be held on Thursday in Riyadh to discuss the Israeli war on Gaza, Saudi television said last night. The Saudi call came shortly after Qatar said it secured the required quorum for convening an emergency summit tomorrow. The Qatari announcement followed the confirmation of the UAE that it would attend the Qatar-proposed summit. Observers believe the Saudi move was meant to pre-empt Qatar's plan.. ..Officials in Qatar said preparations for the Doha meeting were under way but there were still chances that it would not go ahead, with some officials insisting that key Arab states had refused to go.." [more]

Mutual Commitment Vital for Energy Security: Naimi [Jun 15]
"'Mutual commitment' of developing countries 'to cross-investment' in petroleum, natural gas, petrochemical and mineral sector projects is a 'vital step in attaining energy security,' Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said at the Petrotech 2009 Special Ministerial Session in New Delhi, India on Wednesday.. ..In a copy of his speech sent to the Saudi Gazette, Al-Naimi noted 'if there was any doubt anywhere that our world is intimately interconnected and interdependent, surely the global reach of the economic crisis has underscored this fact. Price volatility and its economic impact affect us all, and cooperation is vital for our collective energy future.' He said amid the 'not completely avoidable cyclical nature' of oil market volatility, working together would 'ameliorate challenges and extremes.' The Saudi oil minister underlined the Kingdom�s commitment to achieve a stable oil market by balancing the supply and demand both in the short and long terms.." [more]

Saudi Divorces Soar in 2008 [Jun 15]
"Divorces in highly conservative Saudi Arabia soared 30 percent in 2008 over 2007, Arab News reported Thursday citing government statistics. Last year a total of 24,428 divorces were registered, an increase of 5,663 over the previous year, according to new figures from the Ministry of Justice, the newspaper said. No explanation for the sharp rise was given, but most marriages in Saudi Arabia are arranged between two families without the couple knowing each other well before the wedding.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 14]~~~~~~~~~

King Backs Cairo Truce Initiative [Jan 14]
"..King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and said they would attend an Arab economic summit in Kuwait next week to discuss the Israeli attacks that have left close to 1,000 people dead and thousands of civilians injured. King Abdullah supported Egypt�s initiative to achieve a truce in Gaza. 'The two leaders agreed that there must be immediate cease-fire and there must be complete implementation of the Egyptian initiative,' said a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.. ..Ahmed Aboul Gheith, Egyptian foreign minister, said that Riyadh and Cairo would take part in the Arab summit in Kuwait beginning Monday �to realize Arab interests and to deal with the Palestinian issue in a way that ends the aggression and establishes peace in Gaza and eventually in the whole region.� He said the Kingdom and Egypt were exerting all efforts to reach a cease-fire, end Israeli aggression and open safe corridors to deliver assistance to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.." [more]

Senior Saudi Cleric OKs Girls to Marry [Jan 14]
"A pan-Arab newspaper quotes Saudi Arabia's most senior Muslim cleric as saying it is OK for 10-year-old girls to marry. The London-based Al-Hayat newspaper also quotes Sheik Abdul-Aziz bin Baz, the country's grand mufti, as saying that those who believe women should not marry before the age of 25 are following a 'bad path.' His comments during a lecture Monday come as Saudi human rights groups are fighting to put an end to marriages involving the very young. The groups are pressing the government to define the minimum age for marriage. On Sunday, the government-run National Human Rights Commission condemned marriages of minor girls, saying such marriages are an 'inhumane violation.'.." [more]

Saudi Suspect Tortured in Guantanamo [Jan 14]
"A Saudi suspected of involvement in the September 11 terror attacks was tortured in Guantanamo Bay, the official overseeing trials at the detention site has told the Washington Post. Susan Crawford -- the Bush administration official in charge of deciding whether to bring Guantanamo detainees to trial -- told the Post that the suspect cannot be tried because he was tortured. US military interrogators subjected Mohammed al-Qahtani, 30, to sustained isolation, sleep deprivation, nudity and prolonged exposure to cold, leaving him in a 'life-threatening condition,' Crawford said. 'We tortured Qahtani,' Crawford told the newspaper. 'His treatment met the legal definition of torture. And that's why I did not refer the case' for prosecution. Qahtani, alleged to be the 20th hijacker in the September 11 attacks, was denied entry to the United States one month before the attacks but was captured in Afghanistan and flown to Guantanamo in January 2002.." [more]

Pakistan Shares Indian Dossier on Mumbai Attack With Saudi Arabia [Jan 14]
"The Government of Pakistan on Wednesday shared the Indian dossier on Mumbai terror attacks with the visiting Saudi Chief of the General Intelligence Presidency, Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during his meet with Pakistan��s Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik discussed the November 26 Mumbai Terror attacks.. ..Muqrin has arrived in Pakistan to help defuse tensions with India and to press for resolution of differences among Pakistan�s political parties. There was no official word from the Pakistan government about Muqrin�s meeting with Rehman Malik, though Pakistani TV channels quoted official sources as saying that the Interior Ministry chief did share the Indian dossier with the Saudi intelligence chief. Pakistan will share its findings with India, as soon as the probe is completed, Malik was quoted as saying by the sources.." [more]

Reformist Saudi Arabia to be Among World's Top 10 [Jan 14]
"Saudi Arabia is currently among the World Bank's top 20 most business-friendly countries in the world. And the Kingdom, home to the world's largest proven oil reserves, pledges to be among the top 10 by next year.. ..The World Bank recognised a number of recent reforms, which enabled Saudi Arabia to reach the top 20. Improvements to business and property registration procedures made it easier and less costly to start a business and register real estate deeds. Protection of public company investors was enhanced with a series of new laws from the Capital Market Authority Capital Market Authority Capital Market Authority and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ministry of Commerce and Industry Port fees were cut by 50 per cent, making it more affordable to trade across borders. Also, strict deadlines were placed on bankruptcy procedures, helping to expedite court proceedings and better protect creditors.." [more]

Shura Members Informed of Saudi Security Concerns [Jan 14]
"In a rare event in the history of Kingdom's Shura Council, the Chief of Saudi Intelligence shared a number of issues of both security and intelligence importance with its members. Answering almost 30 written and another 50 verbal questions from the members of the council in a four-hour session, Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, head of the General Intelligence, briefed the council on various measures taken by his department to ensure the security of Saudi Arabia and its people and to enhance its role in international affairs.. ..According to a source, the Chief of General Intelligence gave a vivid sketch of his department's mission and the potential threats facing the Kingdom regionally and globally. Prince Muqrin also dealt with other topics, such as terrorism and extremism and the Kingdom's approach to them. 'The security of the Gulf region figured highly in the discussions at this rare session.'.." [more]

Kingdom Plans to Cut More Than OPEC Target [Jan 14]
"Saudi Arabia plans to go beyond OPEC�s deepest ever single cut in supply as the world�s top oil exporter looks to halt a slide that has lopped over $110 off the oil price since July. The Kingdom will pump below its OPEC target in February and is prepared to go further still to bring a market battered by falling demand and a global recession back to balance, Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi told reporters on Tuesday. 'We will do what it takes to bring it back to balance,' he said on arrival in India for an energy conference. The Saudi supply target was 8.05 million barrels per day (bpd), a little under 10 percent of global output, after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to its biggest ever cut in December. 'It will be lower,' Naimi said of February output.." [more]

Madani to Open Okaz Media Symposium Today [Jan 14]
"Iyad Amin Madani, Minister of Culture and Information, is scheduled to open here Wednesday a media symposium organized by Okaz Organization for Press and Publication in its main headquarter in Jeddah. The symposium which focuses on studies of media tools in the Kingdom is titled 'Towards More Studies on Saudi Media Tools: Present Challenges and Future Expectations.�'.. ..More than 100 figures from within and outside the Kingdom including experts from the Gulf and Arab countries are scheduled to participate in the symposium. Publishers of daily newspapers, presidents of advertising companies and key advisers have shown keen interest in the symposium. The participants will discuss five papers focusing on the importance of a common vision for protection of media investment and strengthening of media budget.." [more]

Dramatic Changes Expected in Education System [Jan 14]
"The King Abdullah Project for General Education Development (Tatwir) will bring about dramatic changes in the Kingdom�s education system, said Naif Al-Roumi, deputy education minister for planning and development and director general of the project. 'We have started implementing some programs under the project on an experimental basis,' Al-Roumi told Al-Riyadh Arabic daily. 'Our plan is to develop the Kingdom�s education system making use of the successful experiments in other countries, such as the United States, South Korea, Singapore and Finland,' he said. The government has allocated SR9 billion for the project.. ..He said Saudi education officials visited advanced countries to learn from their educational experiments. �We have set certain criteria for educational development and we adopted the experiments of other countries in the light of these criteria.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 13]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Will Pump Less Oil Than OPEC Quota in February [Jan 13]
"Saudi Arabia, the world�s largest oil exporter, said it will take the lead among OPEC oil producers in trying to halt a six-month slide in prices. Ali al-Naimi, the kingdom�s oil minister, said Saudi Arabia�s crude production in February will be �lower than the target� set by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The pledge follows supply reductions that started in November and this month that have failed to arrest a 71 percent decline in prices from July�s record, as a slowing world economy eats into demand for oil. 'We are working hard to bring the market in balance,' al- Naimi said as he arrived at his hotel in New Delhi today. 'We will do what it takes to bring the market in balance.' The kingdom is currently producing 8 million barrels a day, the minister said, declining to say how much lower February�s level will be.." [more]

Saudi Intelligence Chief in Pakistan [Jan 13]
"Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for talks with Pakistan's top political leadership for discussions on various issues, including the tension with India in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks. Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who reached Islamabad this morning, is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and opposition PML-N chief and former premier Nawaz Sharif. He will also meet Pakistani intelligence officials. There was no official word on the visit though TV channels quoted official sources as saying that Prince Muqrin was expected to discuss the tension between India and Pakistan and make efforts for reconciliation between the ruling Pakistan People's Party and the PML-N. Saudi Arabia has traditionally had very close ties with Pakistan and members of the Saudi royal family have played a key role in brokering political arrangements in the country.." [more]

KSA Slams Israel�s Racist Extermination in Gaza War [Jan 13]
"Saudi Arabia on Monday denounced Israel for its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza, and demanded international action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the territory. In a statement after its weekly meeting under the chairmanship of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the cabinet said the 17-day-old offensive 'was stripping Israeli leaders of their humanity.'.. ..The Saudi government appealed to the international community to respond 'decisively to stop a catastrophe' in Gaza, and to compel Israel to abide by a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. It said it was 'optimistic' about US president-elect Barack Obama�s pledge to put in place a team that can commit �immediately� to the Middle East peace process, after his inauguration on Jan. 20.." [more]

Kingdom Healthcare Mart to Expand Exponentially [Jan 13]
"The Saudi Arabian healthcare market is witnessing rapid growth and will continue to expand exponentially in future, a new report dubbed 'Saudi Arabian Healthcare Market Forecast to 2012' said. The Kingdom�s rapidly increasing population, due to which demand is outpacing supply, can be regarded as the main push for the market, the report said.. ..The report pointed out that the government plays a central role in providing healthcare services in the Kingdom, accounting for around 75 percent of the total healthcare spending in the country.. ..The report added that the government is rapidly promoting the involvement of private healthcare in the country. 'So big investment will be seen from the private sector in the forecasted period, and according to our estimates, the private sector will account for 62 percent for all new beds installed during 2006-2012.'.." [more]

Boycott of US Products Taking Root in Kingdom [Jan 13]
"The call for a boycott of American products in protest against Washington�s unflinching support of Israel�s killing of unarmed Palestinians is taking root in the Kingdom. The call for a boycott is a spillover from a series of anti-US campaigns currently underway in several non-Arab countries. The boycott drive, started in Malaysia for instance on Jan. 9, is finding support in all parts of the Kingdom. Many Saudis have begun getting emails urging them to boycott American products in order to indirectly harm the American economy. Saudi and expatriate citizens have reportedly taken several steps to fight America and Israel. Though these campaigns are being taken on individual initiative, religious officials have confirmed the necessity of helping Gaza by waging a boycott campaign against American products.." [more]

Mubarak Here Today [Jan 13]
"Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, here on Tuesday to discuss ways to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. The Riyadh meeting comes ahead of a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Kuwait on Friday to discuss Israel�s refusal to abide by a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said on Monday. Diplomatic sources also said that arrangements were under way to hold an emergency Arab League summit on the sidelines of the Arab economic summit scheduled for Jan. 19 in Kuwait.." [more]

Saudi, Kuwaiti Economies to Shrink [Jan 13]
"Saudi Arabia�s economy is set to contract 0.9 percent this year on sharp crude production cuts, although the non-oil sector could cushion the decline as the government boosts spending, EFG-Hermes said. But the investment bank, which had previously seen 2.4 percent growth in the Kingdom, expects the economy to come roaring back in 2010 with growth of 4.7 percent. 
Economists have slashed their forecasts for real gross domestic product (GDP) in the Gulf region as major economies plunge into recession and oil prices collapse to virtually a quarter of their record level last July. EFG Hermes said in a research note that Saudi Arabia�s non-oil sectors would likely expand about 4.3 percent in 2009, down from 5.2 percent in 2008. 'We expect both the current account and GDP figures will deteriorate markedly in 2009 with the substantially weaker oil earning,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 12]~~~~~~~~~

Saudis Give Aid to Palestinians, But No Protests [Jan 12]
" Saudi aid campaign for Palestinians wounded in Israel's assault on Gaza has gathered over 100 million riyals ($26.7 million) as the government tries to respond to rising popular anger over the offensive. Saudi state media has carried prominent coverage of three dozen wounded Palestinians brought to the country for treatment in Saudi hospitals and reported a 30 million riyal donation 
to the state-run aid campaign by King Abdullah. But this "protest by charity", as al-Riyadh daily called it, is the only protest to be found in the conservative kingdom, a lynchpin of U.S. policy in the Middle East that has tried to contain the threat of demonstrations. The absolute monarchy has no elected parliament or legal opposition and public protests are generally banned.." [more]

Kenya Minister Condemns Saudi Tanker Ransom Payment [Jan 12]
"Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula on Monday condemned the payment of a ransom to free a Saudi tanker from Somali pirates and insisted his country would pay nothing to free a Ukrainian ship carrying weapons to Kenya. 'I wish to register our displeasure on the payment of ransom last week where the oil tanker was released. Paying encourages criminal acts and we do not support such initiatives,' Wetangula told reporters. According to sources close to the pirates, three million dollars in ransom were paid to free the Sirius Star, which was captured by pirates on November 15 with two million barrels of crude oil.. ..Pirates from the same clan as those who held the Sirius Star also hijacked the MV Faina, a Ukrainian freighter owned by an Israeli businessman which is carrying 33 Soviet-type battle tanks and tonnes of ammunition. The ship's cargo sparked controversy. Kenya said it was the intended recipient of the weapons, but several other sources said the cargo was in fact destined for the forces of South Sudan.." [more]

Saudi Telecom Sole Bidder for Bahrain�s 3rd Mobile Licence [Jan 12]
"Saudi Telecom (STC), the biggest Arab operator by market value, is the only bidder for Bahrain�s third mobile licence, the island kingdom�s regulator said yesterday. STC made the bid before the deadline expired on Sunday, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said in a statement. Bahrain, on a drive to boost competition and bring down prices, launched the licence auction last year but repeatedly delayed the deadline at the request of interested companies. Four firms had registered interest, the regulator said, without naming the other three companies. STC confirmed earlier on Monday that it had made a bid. Shares in the Saudi firm, which has been on a $6.7bn acquisition spree over the past two years, closed up 0.48% on the Saudi bourse.." [more]

Bad Consumer Loans Rise to 24% in KSA [Jan 12]
"At least 24 percent of borrowers in Saudi Arabia have fallen behind on repayments, according to the Saudi Credit Bureau (SIMAH). The possible bad debt affects 200 financing institutions across the Kingdom, 85 in Riyadh alone, said Nabil Al-Mubarak, chairman of SIMAH. Most of these financing institutions are not registered with SIMAH, but they are monitored by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, he said. SIMAH is the Kingdom�s first comprehensive consumer credit bureau, grouping 10 commercial banks. The bureau gathers information on how consumers use credit, for members to make improved lending decisions. The volume of consumer credit in Saudi Arabia fell to SR178.9 billion by mid- 2008 from SR185.4 billion a year earlier, after SAMA restricted consumer credit reportedly because consumer loans were being used for speculative trading on the stock market.." [more]

Be Honest, Saudis Tell Western Media [Jan 12]
"Journalism ethics across the world demand journalists be unbiased, objective and accurate while reporting news. However, these rules are often ignored when the international media report on Saudi Arabia, Arabs or Muslims. 'There is a misconception and misunderstanding about Saudi Arabia, women�s rights in the Kingdom, the freedom of the press and other issues. Many Western journalists are ignorant. They base their information on negative stereotypes and insist on portraying the same images without reporting objectively,' said Maha Akeel, managing editor of The Journal, the print magazine of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Akeel said foreign reporters who visit the Kingdom admit their surprise at the good they see but fail to report them. 'They don�t report that. They assume we only want to trick them,' said Akeel.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 11]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Reformer Freed After 8 Months in Jail [Jan 11]
"A leading Saudi campaigner for political rights has been released without charge after eight months in detention, a rights activist said on Sunday. Matruk al-Faleh, a politics professor, was set free on Saturday after he was taken from his offices at King Saud University in Riyadh last May, said Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb, who runs an independent rights group called Human Rights First.  He said he had spoken to Faleh after he was released without any charges being laid or any reason offered for his detention. Faleh was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2005 along with two others for organising a petition calling for Saudi leaders to set a timeframe for transforming the country's closed political system into a constitutional monarchy. King Abdullah pardoned them on accession to the throne later that year but since then a number of reform activists have been detained without charge or on charges related to 'terrorism.'.." [more]

Saudi Banks to Register Stable Growth in 2009 [Jan 11]
"The global economic crisis has stifled real growth in the profitability of Saudi Arabia's banks in 2008 and they are projected to record stable performance in 2009, a key Gulf investment bank said yesterday. The economy of the world's oil superpower is also expected to slow down to around 2.2 per cent this year as a result of the sharp decline in crude prices, the Kuwait-based Global Investment House said in a study. The study, sent to Emirates Business, presented three scenarios about the Gulf Kingdom's 2009 budget performance, including a sharp fall in the actual deficit and another high fiscal surplus as a result of possible recovery in oil prices. The study noted that Saudi Arabia's banking sector had relatively limited exposure to the global crisis on the grounds no bail-out case was reported so far.." [more]

Saudi King Approves Plan for 200,000 New School Jobs [Jan 11]
"Saudi's King Abdullah has approved plans to create more than 200,000 new jobs in the education sector, it has been announced. A total of 204,056 new jobs would be created, minister of civil service affairs Mohammed bin Ali al-Fayez said.  'The royal approval came after the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs presented a proposal to the king to improve the situation of teachers holding lower job levels in comparison to their qualifications,'.. ..In setting its budget for 2009 last month, Saudi officials prioritised the education sector, earmarking $32.6 billion - a quarter of the entire budget. A particular focus will be on primary and secondary schooling with approximately 1,500 new primary and secondary schools being constructed, in addition to the 3,240 currently under development and another 2,000 under renovation.." [more]

Saudi Grand Mufti Criticises Pro-Gaza Protests [Jan 11]
"The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Shaikh Abdul Aziz Alu Al Shaikh, who is also head of the Senior Scholars Commission, lambasted the pro-Gaza protests held in several Arab and Muslim countries last Friday calling it a nonsense. "These are nonsense and do no good to anybody," he said in remarks published on Saturday. "The mob does not bring any good, and there is no benefit out of it. "It is pure nonsense," he said, adding that such useless acts should be replaced by donations to the Palestinians. "Paying money and sending aid are beneficial, but demonstrations are ... useless mob and noise," he said. Inviting Hamas leaders to the righteous way, Shaikh Alu Al Shaikh called on them to respond positively to true voices uttered.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Can Raise Capacity by One-Third if Demand Requires [Jan 11]
"Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil producer, could raise its oil production capacity to 15 million barrels a day, a former Saudi Aramco official said. That would be almost one-third above the current level. 'The resources are there, the organisational capability is there,' Nansen Saleri, president and chief executive officer of Houston-based Quantum Reservoir Impact and former head of reservoir management at Saudi Arabian Oil Co, said in an interview on Friday in New York. Saudi Arabia, which currently has the capacity to supply 10.8 million barrels of oil a day to the world market, produced 8.4 million barrels of oil in December, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.." [more]

Judicial Reforms Set for Launch Today [Jan 11]
"The King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Project for Developing the Judiciary (Adl or Justice) in the Kingdom will be launched in Riyadh Sunday in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Minister of Justice and Khalid Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education. The SR7 billion project, supervised by King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, aims at achieving three major goals � preparing a strategic plan for the ministry for the coming 20 years (2009 to 2029) to develop the judiciary, preparing an executive plan for the first five years, and laying down mechanisms for periodic reviews of developing a strategy for the plan. Also taken into consideration in the strategic plan are issues such as human resources, organizational structures, judicial procedures, systems and models, judicial environment and judicial culture. Several experts in the judicial field in the Kingdom have said that this decision will lead to a reorganization and modernization of the judicial system.." [more]

Sirius Star Crew Members Unharmed, Heading Home [Jan 11]
"Officials at Vela International, the Dubai-based Saudi Aramco subsidiary that owns the Sirius Star supertanker that was released by Somali pirates late Friday, said yesterday the ship�s crew is safe and heading home. 'Throughout this ordeal, our sole objective was the safe and timely release of the crew and that has been achieved,' Saleh K�aki, president and CEO of Vela, told Arab News. Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi confirmed that the tanker had been freed and was heading out of the area yesterday. 'We have information confirming that the whole crew of the ship is safe and that the ship is on its way out of Somali regional waters,' Al-Naimi said in a statement. K�aki said the crewmembers would soon be reunited with their families.." [more]

TASI Dips Over 3 Percent [Jan 11]
"The Saudi stock market dropped sharply yesterday as investors were awaiting the annual results of the leading listed companies. The Saudi firms are expected to report slowdown in profits because of the global financial crisis. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plunged 161.57 points or 3.04 percent to close at 5,160.65 points. Out of 125 stocks traded, shares in 24 companies surged, while 94 companies were in the red. Over SR5.81 billion worth of shares changed hands yesterday compared to SR34.74 billion for whole last week. The Saudi stock market began 2009 with a bang after falling over 56 percent last year. The index gained 10.81 percent last week.." [more]

January 4-January 10, 2008

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 10]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Crown Prince Convalescing in Morocco [Jan 10]
"Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz is convalescing in Morocco after undergoing six weeks of medical tests in the United States, the official SPA news agency said on Saturday.. ..SPA did not specify the nature of the tests that Prince Sultan had undergone in New York but said the results had been 'reassuring'. It added, however, that he was expected to return to the United States for further treatment. According to the Washington-based Saudi-US Relations Information Service, Saudi officials rejected reports on Thursday that the prince was deeply ill, insisting that he had a successful operation in New York, was 'fine and will be heading home after his rest in Agadir.'.." [more]

Saudi Minister: Oil Tanker Heading to Saudi Arabia [Jan 10]
"The Saudi Arabian oil minister says that a Saudi oil tanker released earlier by Somali pirates after a $3 million ransom was paid is on its way home. Ali Naimi said in a statement Saturday that the crew of the Sirius (nasdaq: SIRI - news - people ) Star, which was released Friday, are safe. He said the vessel has left Somalia territorial waters and is heading back to Saudi Arabia. The Sirius Star and its 25-member crew were taken hostage Nov. 15. Its cargo of crude oil was valued at US$100 million at the time. The capture was seen as a dramatic demonstration of the pirates' ability to strike high value targets hundreds of miles offshore.." [more]

Iraq Detains Suspect in Saudi Plane Hijacking [Jan 10]
"Iraqi authorities are holding a suspect in the October 2000 hijacking of a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight from Jeddah to London, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Former Saudi military officer Ayesh Ali Hussein al-Harbi was arrested in Iraq last month, a ministry statement, said without specifying where or how. Two hijackers forced the Saudi Boeing 777 carrying more than 100 passengers and crew to fly to Baghdad before surrendering peacefully.. ..It did not say whether he would face prosecution in Iraq or be extradited to Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Lose 3% [Jan 10]
"Saudi stocks fell three percent on Saturday as the slowing economy in the oil superpower and global economic stress continued to dampen investor sentiment. Tadawul All-Shares Index dropped 161.57 points to close down 3.04 percent at 5,160.65. Petrochemicals giant Sabic lost 3.84 percent.. ..Financial stocks were off nearly three percent amid news that six finance companies were weighing a merger as the slower economy takes its toll on business turnover.. ..The Saudi market trades on a Saturday-to-Wednesday week, while others in Arab states of the Gulf trade from Sunday to Thursday.." [more]

WFP Welcomes Generous Donation From The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign [Jan 10]
"The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a $4m donation from 'The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign' for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza. The donation will be used immediately to provide urgently needed food assistance to more than 265,000 civilians in the Gaza Strip. 'This is a timely and extremely welcome donation that will help the people of Gaza in their hour of need,' said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, WFP Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, adding that the money would be used to purchase wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar and salt. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza has been collecting money from people living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who wish to support humanitarian work in the occupied Palestinian territory.." [more]

Saudi Prince Talal Rushes Planeload of Aid to Gaza [Jan 10]
"Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, chairman of the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Organizations, has sent humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. The relief consignment, dispatched by Prince Talal, brother of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, was flown to Egypt's Al Arish airport on board a UN relief plane.. ..In a press briefing, a copy of which was obtained by Gulf News, Prince Khaled said that the planeload of relief supplies includes medicine, medical equipment and other essentials. 'This initiative comes in line with the ongoing Saudi fundraising campaign, ordered by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz,' he added. Prince Turki Bin Talal, brother of Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, hailed Saudi Arabia's support to Palestinians and Prince Talal's initiative.." [more]

Saudi Deepens Oil Supply Cuts [Jan 10]
"The world�s top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, will deepen its crude oil supply cuts in February from January levels to Asian consumers to their lowest in almost five years, industry sources said yesterday. The move by the most influential member of Opec helped boost global oil prices above $42 a barrel. It follows Opec�s agreement last month to cut supply by a record amount to try to prop up prices. Sources at seven Asian buyers confirmed that state oil company Saudi Aramco had notified them of deeper cuts for February, ranging from 7%-8% to 15%, against cuts of 5%-10% for January. 'The cut was deeper than last month about 14%, 15%,' a source at a major customer in Japan told Reuters on condition of anonymity as the information is not public. Besides boosting global oil prices, the curbs may also put a firmer floor under the price of Middle Eastern crude.." [more]

Saudi-British Youth Forum Set for Jeddah and Riyadh [Jan 10]
"The second Saudi-British Youth Forum will be held in Jeddah and Riyadh Jan. 10-16 with 48 young men and women from Saudi Arabia and Britain participating. The International Commerce Committee (ICC) of the Saudi Council of Chambers (SCC) will organize the 7-day event in collaboration with the Saudi Foreign Ministry and the British Youth Council (BYC). The forum is aimed at further boosting cultural dialogue and partnership through pioneer projects designed by youths from the two sides, which are funded by the ICC, the SCC and the BYC. The projects will be presented to the Two Kingdoms� Dialogue (a Saudi-UK joint dialogue project) that will be held next March. The participants will endeavor to unravel the common values and objectives and will come up with joint projects to reinforce the participation of youth in the dialogue of cultures in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 9]~~~~~~~~~

Hijacked Saudi Oil Tanker Sirius Star on the Move [Jan 9]
"A Saudi supertanker seized by Somali pirates is moving away from the coast and may have been released, according to a regional maritime group. The Sirius Star, which was carrying two million barrels of crude oil when it was hijacked, was moving south-east, said the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme. 'She might have been released. It is too early to confirm,' said Andrew Mwangura, a spokesman for the programme. 'But often when a deal has been released, the hijackers accompany the ship away from the coast like this.' The leader of the pirates responsible for the hijacking said the group had released the vessel.. ..An associate of the pirates said a ransom had been paid to secure the release of the vessel. 'Pirate holding the Saudi ship took $3m yesterday evening and then released the ship this morning,' Farah Osman told Reuters from Haradheere port.." [more]

Oil Rises First Time in Four Days as Saudi Arabia Cuts Exports [Jan 9]
"Crude oil rose for the first time in four days as Saudi Arabia, the world�s largest oil exporter, reduced supplies in accordance with last month�s OPEC agreement. Saudi Arabia sent notices to refiners in Japan and Taiwan that it was cutting shipments for February by 10 percent, said two refinery officials. Still, crude is heading for a 9 percent decline this week as concerns deepened about the scale of the recession in the U.S., the biggest energy user, where data today may show unemployment rose to the highest in 16 years. 'OPEC compliance has to be high because it�s necessary for them to stabilize prices, said Sintje Diek, an analyst with HSH Nordbank in Hamburg. 'In the coming days, we�ll probably see prices higher, and stabilize around $50 a barrel.'.." [more]

Prestigious Jeddah Economic Forum Shelved [Jan 9]
" The Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), once the most prestigious event on the Gulf-Middle East region�s business networking calendar, has been shelved �indefinitely,� it was announced here Thursday. The reason cited for doing away with the annual forum that used to be promoted as a primer for world leaders heading for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was so simple that 'it bordered on the lame,' said a business executive who had not missed a single JEF since its inception in 2000. The reason, according to Mustafa Sabri, secretary general of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the parent body of Jeddah Marketing Board, organizer of JEF, is 'delay in getting permits for the convention.'.. ..The forum, which had over the years drawn such big names as George H. W. Bush, John Major, Bill Clinton, Gerhard Schroeder, Helmut Kohl, Madeleine Albright, George Soros, Mahathir Mohamed, Alwaleed Bin Talal, Queen Rania and Hillary Clinton among a host of others of no less eminence, was 'badly downgraded' last year, the business executive told Saudi Gazette on condition of anonymity, 'and that had suggested to us that the end was near.'.." [more]

Arab Peace Initiative is Still on Offer: Saud [Jan 9]
"The Arab peace plan is still on offer and its acceptance by Israel would bring peace to the Mideast, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, told reporters here on Wednesday night. The path to security, he said, is through peace not war. In 2002, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, proposed a peace plan to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, a simple, straightforward plan. The Arab peace initiative calls for the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital.. ..Prince Saud repeated his call for an end to the Israeli aggression in Gaza, saying it is counter-productive to what Israel says are its goals.." [more]

Arab Ministers Meet Tuesday to Address Gaza Health Crisis [Jan 9]
"The Kingdom will host an emergency meeting of Arab health ministers here on Tuesday to discuss how to send urgent medical assistance to thousands of Palestinians who have been wounded and rendered homeless in the continuing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. The ministers will also address the health crisis, especially among women and children who are dying in the poorly equipped and understaffed hospitals of the war-torn region.. ..�The meeting, to be chaired by Saudi Arabia, will also take up other urgent issues, including the evacuation of the injured civilians and the inability of Palestinian hospitals to provide vital medical services,� he said. The ministers will make an assessment of the massive medical needs of Palestinians and coordinate efforts to deal with the huge influx of the wounded, which has made hospitals and clinics in Gaza too crowded to give them emergency care.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 8]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Official Says Global Oil Demand Could Fall 45 Percent [Jan 8]
"Oil demand could fall 45 percent due to the global financial crisis, but investments should be increased to ensure supplies are maintained, a senior Saudi government official said in remarks published on Thursday. Majid al-Munif, an adviser to Saudi Arabia's oil minister, said the global financial crisis may cut oil demand by 23 percent to 45 percent, pan-Arab Al-Hayat reported, citing remarks made at a conference on Wednesday. World oil demand fell by 50,000 barrels per day in 2008, and 450,000 bpd this year, the United States Energy Information Administration said in a report in December.. ..The last time world petroleum demand fell was in 1983, part of four years of straight declines in oil consumption that began in 1980, the agency said.." [more]

Riyadh Demands Israel End Blatant Aggression in Gaza [Jan 8]
"Saudi Arabia emphasised that peace cannot be achieved in the Middle East region without preventing Israel from pursuing blatant aggression against the Palestinian people, who are reeling under a crippling blockade. "The desired peace has not been and will not be achieved by imposing sanctions and conditions on the people living under occupation while Israel is relieved of any consequences even though it violates the most basic rules and resolutions of international law," said Prince Saud Al Faisal, foreign minister. He made these remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nizar Obaid Madani at the opening session of the US Gulf Forum 2009, which began here on Tuesday.." [more]

Use of Oil as Weapon Out of Question: Saud [Jan 8]
"Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ruled out use of oil as a weapon by Arab states to secure an end to the 12-day Israeli military onslaught in the Gaza Strip. 'Oil is not a weapon. You can�t reverse a conflict by using oil,' Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, told reporters here on the sidelines of a Security Council debate on the Israeli offensive which has claimed 689 Palestinian lives. Prince Saud expressed support for a Libyan draft resolution that would demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and said it should be put to a vote in the Security Council later Wednesday or Thursday. 'It is the responsibility of the Security Council to help to end any conflict as soon as it arises. And the current conflict in Gaza should be no exception,' he noted. 'If the Security Council takes no action that certainly raises questions about its credibility.'.." [more]

US-GCC Forum Ends With Call for Greater Understanding [Jan 8]
"Decision makers, scholars, policy planners and academics from the US and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the Gulf region and pledged to boost ies during a high-profile US-GCC forum that concluded here yesterday. Attendees, at the same time, were divided in their expectations about policies to be adopted by US President-elect Barack Obama.. ..A range of issues affecting relations between the US and the GCC were examined at the forum�s three sessions yesterday. Panel members looked in depth at different aspects of political, security, defense, economic and energy issues that play a role in the relationship.. ..The panel of speakers at the end expected a better understanding of GCC problems and compulsions with regard to the bloc�s security, education and environment. 'The nature of US involvement in GCC countries in reality is much more diverse and complex than a focus on their energy resources alone would suggest,'.." [more]

Kingdom, Pakistan to Step Up Drive Against Terror [Jan 8]
"Saudi Arab and Pakistan will intensify their cooperation on regional security and exchange of intelligence information on combating terrorism. Following talks with Interior Minister Prince Naif on Tuesday night, Adviser on Interior Affairs in Pakistan, Rahman Malik, told Arab News that he had a successful meeting with his counterpart in Riyadh and the talks will bear fruits in near future in the form of new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreements between the two countries. Malik was on a brief visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of Prince Naif. During his day�s visit to the capital, the visiting minister also held talks with Deputy Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Ibn Naif and Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin.. ..The visiting minister said that the Kingdom has played a predominant role in defusing the tension between India and Pakistan following terrorist attacks on Mumbai hotels recently.." [more]

Saudis Invest SR1 Trillion in Real Estate [Jan 8]
"Hotel and shopping complex projects, followed by the construction of residential units and tourist projects have topped the list of investment activities in Makkah province in recent years. 'While hotel and commercial complexes received top investment attention, investments in the housing sector are not commensurate with the region�s projected demand for them in the next few years'.. ..Al-Muhandis estimated that real estate investments in Makkah province over the next three years at SR50 billion with the largest share in the hotel construction sector. He noted that Saudis had a special fondness for investments in the real estate sector. 'Saudis invested more than SR1 trillion in the real estate sector last year, making the Kingdom the second largest real estate market in the world after the United States. The fixed assets in the sector in the Kingdom rose by 40 percent in the period between 2000-2006,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 7]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Royal Hits Out at US Stand [Jan 7]
"A member of the Saudi royal family blasted the US government yesterday for its �reckless� position towards Israel�s attacks on the Gaza Strip. 'The Bush administration has left you (with) a disgusting legacy and a reckless position towards the massacres and bloodshed of innocents in Gaza,' Prince Turki al-Faisal said in a message directed at President-elect Barack Obama. 'Enough is enough, today we are all Palestinians and we seek martyrdom for God and for Palestine, following those who died in Gaza,' Faisal, a former ambassador to the US, said at a forum on relations between the Gulf region and the US. Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal slammed Israeli politicians for 'shedding Palestinian blood in what has become a tactic for Israeli parties to settle their election battles.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Strategic Meeting Held on Future US-Gulf Relations [Jan 7]
"A group of Gulf and American strategic and military experts began a two-day meeting yesterday in the Kingdom's capitol to discuss the future of US-Gulf relations following the election of President-elect Barack Obama, and the implications of [Obama's] forthcoming administration on handling the issues of Iran and Iraq. The meeting�sponsored by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal- will study a proposal published by the Gulf Research Center [GRC] entitled Maritime Security in the Gulf, which focuses on a new maritime security framework for the Gulf region. Vice-Admiral Kevin Cosgriff, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command will also be participating. On the meeting's agenda are relations between the USA and the Arab Gulf States, with regards to politics, security, economy, energy, education, and the environment. A group of selected experts and analysts from research centers and educational institutes from the Gulf States and the USA will be taking part.." [more]

New Zealand Institution to offer Distance Learning to Saudi Students [Jan 7]
"The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand will soon offer distance-learning courses to students in Saudi Arabia, New Zealand media reported on Wednesday. From May, six courses will be offered by the correspondence-based education provider, and the program could be expanded if successful. The polytechnic's executive director for strategic development, Peter Rutland, said it was an exciting opportunity that would enhance New Zealand's reputation as a quality education provider. Rutland added that Saudi Arabian students will be offered the same service as those in New Zealand, but some of the material will be changed to make it more relevant to them.." [more]

Yemeni Security Closes Street Around Saudi, UAE Embassies [Jan 7]
"Yemeni security on Wednesday closed off street outside embassies of the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in the capital Sana�a, security sources said. The sources told NY the street was closed as preventive measure against terror attacks on embassies in the country. Undersecretary of the Interior Minister Mohammad al-Qawsi denied that the two embassies have received terror threats, but confirmed that the street closure was part of precaution measures.." [more]

Border Security Tightened [Jan 7]
"Saudi borders extending along a 8,500-km borderline will be soon closely monitored by state-of-the-art planes, said Lt. Gen. Talal Mohsin Anqawi, chief of Saudi Border Guard. The Border Guard has taken of late a giant stride into securing the Saudi borders with the new technological implementation of infrared cameras, thermal imaging, and night vision, he said. The illegal infiltration across the border with Yemen has significantly decreased due to more security cooperation pacts with Yemen, he said. 'There is more to be done, however,' he said. 'We are looking for more comprehensive security measures taken by the Yemeni side to tighten the security of our borders,' he said. It is a long borderline and it cannot be completely secured by one side.." [more]

Many Saudi Women Obtain Driving Licenses in Bahrain [Jan 7]
"Hundreds of Saudi women each year apply for Bahraini driving licenses and drive legally on the island�s roads without any fear, something impossible in the Kingdom where women driving is taboo. 'The Traffic Directorate last year issued about 1,354 licenses to Saudi women who underwent driving lessons and passed the test,' said Col. Khalifa bin Hassan from the Traffic Directorate. An increasing number of Saudi women study, work or live in Bahrain and hold valid Bahraini driving licenses. Mariam Hamad, a university student, told Arab News, 'I have several Saudi friends who have Bahraini driving licenses. They usually rent cars to go to libraries or malls and feel independent.'.. ..Women in the Kingdom have for several years fought for the right to drive. A group of activists last year launched a petition demanding the right and collected about 1,100 signatures. The petition was sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Saudi National Day.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Surge Over 10% in 4 Days [Jan 7]
"The Saudi stock market continued its upward trend in the first four trading days of this year. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI), which closed at 4,802.99 points on Dec. 31, 2008, surged over 10 percent in four days. The index yesterday closed 109.38 points or 2.11 percent higher at 5,289.73 points. 'It seems the market is regaining confidence after falling over 50 percent last year. As other global stock markets are also showing signs of upward movement, this market will continue to follow them,' said a stock market investor who wants to remain anonymous. Over 80 companies were in positive territory yesterday, while 34 firms were in the red. The value of traded shares was over SR7.47 billion.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 6]~~~~~~~~~

Kingdom Denounces Silence [Jan 6]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday denounced the silence of the international community over the ferocious Israeli war on unarmed Palestinians in Gaza and the collective punishment inflicted on the inhabitants of the territory. 'The international stand of silence and defeatism in dealing with Israeli atrocities (in Gaza) has no parallel,' said a statement issued by the Council of Ministers following its weekly meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia�s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. 'The Kingdom will be in the forefront of any Arab and Islamic joint action to deal with the present crisis as long as such actions are fruitful and do not end with mere statements,'.." [more]

Philanthropy Saudi Style [Jan 6]
"A Saudi business tycoon has donated SR25 million ($6.7 million) to help Gazans suffering under a gruesome Israeli military assault, the Saudi Press Agency said. Interior Minister Prince Naif, who supervises a nationwide fundraising campaign for Gazans, received the donation from the businessman, who has requested anonymity. Prince Naif urged philanthropists and business firms in the Kingdom to contribute generously to the fund. 'We are still receiving donations from Saudis and expatriates,' he said. The government launched a nationwide telethon on Saturday night and raised more than SR132 million.Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who ordered the telethon, gave SR30 million to the fund while Crown Prince Sultan gave SR10 million.." [more]

Shoura to Discuss Bill on Children�s Rights [Jan 6]
"A law to protect children�s rights is one of the key bills that will be discussed in upcoming Shoura Council meetings. The bill aims to protect children from all kinds of abuse, negligence and exploitation. The bill also defines the role of governmental and private agencies for children�s education and social care and its right to intervene to stop abuse and negligence. There are also provisions in the bill for special protection for children subjected to cruelty and a system to increase the public awareness of children�s rights. There are no accurate statistics about abused children in the Kingdom. The local media has taken a major role in highlighting the issue, and the question remains whether child abuse is increasing in the Kingdom or whether the media is opening up to addressing the topic more than before.." [more]

Kingdom Plans Share Buyback Law [Jan 6]
"Saudi Arabia has issued a draft law that would allow listed firms to buy back their shares, a senior government official said yesterday. 'We added to the existing corporate law regulations governing share buybacks ... People have been demanding this for a long time,' Commerce and Industry Ministry Undersecretary Hassan Agueel told Reuters, confirming a report earlier yesterday by Okaz newspaper. Analysts and investors have been pushing for the adoption of a law allowing share buyback plans since a crash began in February, 2006, and from which the local bourse has never recovered. The Arab world�s largest bourse crashed last year to its lowest level in almost five years last year.. ..He could not say when the law would take effect.." [more]

Saudis Claim Immunity From Sept. 11 Suits [Jan 6]
"Saudi Arabia is protected by blanket immunity from accusations it bears responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, attorneys say. In papers filed Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court, lawyers representing the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and several of its high-ranking royal family members said U.S. law provides such immunity from lawsuits over the attacks, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The filing was in response to a lawsuit brought by dozens of insurance companies that paid out billions in property-damage claims at ground zero. They claim Saudi Arabia should be held accountable for the attacks because state-supported Islamic charities financed al-Qaida over a period of many years.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Announces Eight Oil, Gas Discoveries [Jan 6]
" Saudi Arabia's minister of petroleum and mineral resources Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi reported Jan. 5 that the state-owned Saudi Aramco has discovered five more oil fields and three gas fields in the country's Eastern Province. Al-Naimi said four of the oil fields are on land and one is in the Persian Gulf. They include Jaouf-11, Ramthan-9, Nayashin-1, Jareed-101, and Khorsaniya-114. The minister named the three gas fields�all offshore�as Arabiya-1, Rabib-1, and Hisbah-16.. ..Al-Naimi released first test production results from three of the wells.." [more]

Saudi Company Establishes Training Center for Yemeni Workers [Jan 6]
"An international Saudi investment company intends to establish a training center in Sana�a for qualified Yemeni laborers to assist them in their search for employment in GCC countries. Minster for Technical Education and Vocational Training Ibrahim Hajri discussed with the company�s delegation the necessary measures to establish the center. He also discussed the provision of the modern equipment needed to train and qualify Yemen�s technical education graduates, and to tailor their skills to the requirements of Gulf countries. During the meeting, the two reviewed the project�s components, goals, implementation phases and significance so as to allow Gulf countries to benefit from Yemeni labor.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 5]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Economic Cities Unaffected by Falling Oil [Jan 5]
"A senior Saudi business leader denied on Monday that falling oil prices will hit infrastructure spending and the planned economic cities in the kingdom. CEO of Saudi economic summit the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF), Abdulmohsen Albadr, said lower oil prices, which have tumbled about $100 since their peak last summer, will not derail Saudi�s massive push to diversify its economy by building six multi-billion dollar economic cities by 2020. The cities, currently under construction, will contribute $150 billion to GDP growth and will create 1.3 million jobs, it is estimated.. ..In a sign that Saudi is pushing ahead with its plans, King Abdullah announced in November a $400 billion investment and development programme over the next five years. The GCF, hosted by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) which is marketing the cities, takes place at the end of the month in Riyadh.." [more]

Rehman Malik Arrives in Saudi Arabia [Jan 5]
"Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Monday arrived in Saudi Arabia on the special invitation of Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz. During his stay, the interior adviser will exchange views on issues of mutual interest, including better cooperation against terrorism, between the two countries.. ..He will thank Riyadh for its role in defusing the tension between Pakistan and India.." [more]

Saudi Recommendation to Weaken Hizbullah and Hamas [Jan 5]
"Head of the Saudi National Security Council reportedly visited Washington in December and held a number of meetings with top U.S. administration officials to whom he recommended weakening Hizbullah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The purpose behind Saudi Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz's recommendation is to tangibly target and weaken the maneuverable capacity of both Iran and Syria, ultimately limiting the capabilities of the militant groups, according to a report carried by the daily al-Akhbar.Prince Bandar held a chain of meetings with current Bush and Obama administration figures, and officials who are expected to play a major role in the Middle East under the new U.S. president, the newspaper said. Prince Bandar reportedly told his U.S. hosts that he speaks for all Gulf Cooperation Council countries including key Arab states and players such as Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and March 14 Forces in Lebanon.." [more]

Saudi Plans Share Buyback Law [Jan 5]
"Saudi Arabia has issued a draft law that would allow listed firms to buy back their shares, a senior government official said in remarks published on Monday. 'These regulations will be examined by the relevant bodies including the Shura Council before being approved and for the law to take a final form,' Commerce and Industry Ministry Undersecretary Hassan Agueel was quoted as saying by Okaz newspaper. Twenty of the 126 listed firms have asked the ministry for permission to buy back their shares after the bourse crashed to its lowest level in four years last year.." [more]

Consumer Protection Society Has no Answers [Jan 5]
"Saudi Arabia�s nascent Consumer Protection Society (CPS) appears to have given up in the face of its first major challenge.  �We don�t know the solution for this greed by merchants,� said CPS Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al-Hamad when asked what could be done to bring prices of food and other essential commodities down from their peaks of the past couple of years. All he had to offer was an appeal to the authorities concerned to take action to bring prices down. Unlike in the rest of the world where prices have dropped as a result of the global economic crisis, nothing has changed on this score in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Trial of Terror Suspects Soon [Jan 5]
"Having received the accusation list from the General Prosecutor against terror suspects in the Kingdom, the Ministy of Justice will start a special terrorist tribunal in a few months, said Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, Sunday in Riyadh. A new tribunal building for terror suspects is being finalized, he said. Any citizen has the right to file a lawsuit case against any of the arrested terror suspects in the Kingdom, he said. The minister�s statement came during the inauguration of the new verdict register, which compiles all previous verdicts issued by Saudi courts to be an available reference for judges when reviewing cases of similar nature. Currently, the register does not include verdicts handed down in cases of public opinion, but all verdicts will be included in the future.." [more]

Saudis, Expats Raise SR125m for War Victims [Jan 5]
"In response to a fundraising call from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan donated SR10 million, while Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), donated SR5 million to alleviate suffering in Palestine. Total donations collected so far exceed SR125 million, excluding several truckloads of relief supplies such as blankets, clothes and basic provisions. �The Kingdom has sent seven planeloads of aid to war-torn Palestine so far including two relief planes that took off from Riyadh Air Base yesterday for Areesh airport in Egypt, carrying more than 24 tons of medical supplies,� said Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, spokesman for the Ministry of Health.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Jan 4]~~~~~~~~~

Arabs Demand Immediate Gaza Ceasefire [Jan 4]
"Arab nations have demanded that the UN Security Council call for an immediate cease-fire following Israel's launch of a ground offensive in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected in New York on Tuesday, along with half a dozen Arab foreign ministers who will be at the UN on Monday, to press for a ceasefire resolution.. ..The 15-member council then held emergency consultations behind closed doors to discuss the proposed presidential statement, which would also call for all parties "to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza." Steps would include reopening border crossings. "We need to have from the Security Council reaction tonight to bring this latest addition of aggression against our people in Gaza to an immediate halt," said Riyad Mansour, a Palestinian UN observer.." [more]

Saudi May Lead Price Hikes, Volume Cuts [Jan 4]
"Middle East crude oil producers led by Saudi Arabia are expected to raise official selling prices next week as a prelude to volume reductions, potentially keeping Asian refiners on the defensive. Spot valuations on the region's high-sulfur or sour grades have strengthened despite the recent drop in outright oil prices, so much so that benchmark Dubai briefly climbed Friday to a premium to Brent, the bellwether for Atlantic basin low-sulfur or sweet crude. That's coming on the back of strong margins for fuel oil - the residual product Middle East crude is prized for - and if producers were to cut output, the market could rise further. Saudi Arabia, along with Iran, Kuwait and Qatar, is expected to announce supply cuts, in line with a pledge by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to shore up sagging oil prices and defend revenues.." [more]

SR100 Million and Counting [Jan 4]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, donated SR30 million to give the countrywide fund-raising campaign in aid of the Gaza Palestinians a strong boost at its launch Saturday across Saudi Arabia. The 11-hour telethon that started on Saudi TV at 4 P.M. as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques� Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza, raised SR94, 459,313 by midnight. The telethon opened with two pediatric societies contributing medical equipment worth SR250,000, and that set the pace with donations pouring in from callers immediately afterwards.. ..The ambassador expressed gratitude for the donation campaign called for by King Abdullah, Custodan of the Two Holy Mosques, noting that the King was moving politically to discuss with world leaders ways to stop the Israeli assault. King Abdullah has also issued urgent directives to airlift wounded Palestinians to Saudi hospitals.." [more]

Kingdom Money Supply Growth Eases [Jan 4]
"Annual growth in Saudi Arabia�s money supply slowed in November to its lowest level in at least a year, official data showed on Saturday, despite bold moves to inject cash into the banking system to keep the economy growing. The annual growth of M3, the broadest measure of money circulating in the economy, slowed to 19.2 percent in November from 20.2 percent in October, according to data published on the website of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). M3 rose to SR919.3 
billion ($245.1 billion) by end-November, compared with SR771 billion a year earlier, the SAMA data showed. Annual growth in money supply was 19.4 percent in September and 21.8 percent in August. Analysts had widely been expecting money supply growth to pick up pace in November after SAMA engaged in an aggressive rate cut policy.." [more]

Saudi Navy Fights Piracy in High Seas [Jan 4]
"Saudi Navy has started taking part in unfolding the future of piracy in the seas south of the Horn of Africa. Since November last year, Saudi Navy has engaged three warships in the Arab Sea and Gulf of Eden to escort Saudi commercial ships in areas most likely targets for pirates. Fully equipped with weaponry, the Saudi warships, along with multinational naval forces, have been tasked with round the clock monitoring of sea traffic south of the Horn of Africa to fight heavily-armed pirates on speedboats with satellite phones and GPS equipment. The multinational naval forces are instructed to get tough on pirates and to respond to help calls from all commercial ships. Earlier last week, Dauphine-type helicopter of the Saudi Navy joined a Malaysian helicopter to save a 92,000-ton Indian tanker from being plundered by pirates in two skiffs.." [more]

Health Centre Helps Prevent Child Marriages [Jan 4]
"Jeddah's centre for pre-marriage medical tests has been instrumental in preventing marriages involving minor girls, says its director. Dr Hana Hersani, director of the centre, said: 'These girls include two sisters, one is five-year old and another aged 11. The centre's intervention forced their parents to put off their marriage plans.' The doctor said a Saudi woman brought her two daughters to the centre in order to carry out pre-marriage medical tests. "When we discouraged the mother against their plans of early marriage, her reply was that they wanted to marry them to two young men, who are their close relatives, so that their properties will not be inherited by someone else outside their family.. ..Dr Hana stressed the need for a law fixing minimum age for marriages to prevent child marriages.." [more]

Shares Jump to Hit 1 Month High on Sabic [Jan 4]
"Saudi Arabian shares advanced the most in a month yesterday, paced by Saudi Basic Industries Corp, the largest company in the Middle East by market value, and Al-Rajhi Bank. The Tadawul All Share Index advanced for a fifth day, rising 4.6% to 5,023.22 in Riyadh, the biggest increase since November 29. The index declined 48% last year after oil prices plunged.  Saudi Basic Industries, the kingdom�s largest exporter of petrochemicals, surged the most since December 12, climbing 9.2% to 56.25 riyals. Al-Rajhi Bank, the biggest Islamic lender in the country, advanced as much as 6.3%, closing 4.5% higher to 58.5 riyals. Saudi Arabia�s stocks dropped last year after oil prices fell more than 50% and the global financial crisis curtailed companies� operations in the Arab world�s largest economy. Saudi Arabia relies on its oil revenue to fuel growth even as the government tries to diversify its economy and increase employment by building industrial cities.." [more]

Major Riyadh Event to Focus on Global Issues [Jan 4]
"More than 100 leaders will discuss solutions to the global financial crisis at the forthcoming Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) to be held from Jan. 25-27. Announcing the major upcoming event in the capital at a press conference held yesterday at SAGIA headquarters, SAGIA Gov. Amr Al-Dabbagh told reporters that the forum would be based on the theme entitled 'Responsible Competitiveness.' He said that the theme would cover critical topics in social development that encourage the national competitiveness agenda. 'It balances and combines economic and societal needs to build sustainable, profitable and responsible business,' he said, describing the meeting as the second largest economic grouping in the world after Davos.. ..The governor pointed out that economic experts from the Kingdom and around the world would present papers highlighting the measures adopted by the Kingdom to gain competitive edge in the market. The event will also provide an insight into investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia for local and international companies.." [more]

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