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Jun
7-13, 2009
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 13]~~~~~~~~~
Guantanamo
Prisoner on Hunger Strike Returns to Saudi [Jun 13]
"A Guantanamo prisoner who had been on continual hunger strike
for almost four years has been released. The US Justice Department
says Ahmed Zuhair and two other detainees have been sent home to Saudi
Arabia, where they will be subject to judicial review before entering
a government-run 'rehabilitation' programme.. ..US authorities allege
Zuhair trained with the Taliban and Al Qaida in Afghanistan and
belonged to a fighting group in Bosnia in the mid-1990s - allegations
denied by his lawyer.." [more]
New
Bonds Market to be Launched Today [Jun 13]
"The Saudi Tadawul Stock Exchange is launching Saturday the Sukuk
and Bonds Market following the completion of preparations conducted
with brokerage firms and information providers. Tadawul Director of
Monetary Trading Waleed Al-Bawaradi said that the issue of foreigners
investing in the market was being studied, with non-Saudi nationals
currently only permitted to invest via Saudi intermediaries. The
trading of Sukuk and bonds will be conducted through stock market
brokers to facilitate investor transactions and the diversification of
investments.." [more]
Saudi
Pledges to Ease Controls on Women: HRW [Jun 13]
" Saudi Arabia has pledged to take steps toward removing rules
requiring a woman to have a male guardian at all times, saying there
is no such legal requirement, a rights organisation said. Saudi rights
officials committed in a review with the UN Human Rights Council to
take steps to end the male guardianship rule, to give women full legal
identity and to ban discrimination by gender, Human Rights Watch said
in a statement from Geneva received on Saturday. HRW said that during
the review, which took place in Geneva on June 10, Saudi officials
said the Islamic sharia law concept of male guardianship does not
exist in Saudi law.." [more]
Saudi
Demand For Low Cost Homes To Spur RE Mkt Rebound [Jun 13]
"Affordable housing in Saudi Arabia is the next big untapped
market for investors and developers as demand from the region's
largest economy is expected to pickup, according to a study by real
estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle. Investor sentiment
has improved recently, with more than 50% of those surveyed by Jones
Lang LaSalle expecting the region's real estate market to recover
soon. 'This positive sentiment is also reflected by Saudi Arabia being
identified as the only market across MENA where more investors expect
to see prices increase rather than decrease further over the next 12
months,' the report added. Unlike the property booms in other oil-rich
Persian Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the
demand for housing in Saudi Arabia comes from the young and growing
indigenous population seeking affordable homes rather than the
luxurious villas and penthouses with sea-views that pepper Dubai's
natural and artificial coasts. Saudi Arabia is expected to face a
shortfall of 1 million housing units by 2012.." [more]
Aceh
Receives $12.88m Projects in Quake Relief [Jun 13]
"Saudi Arabia has handed over post-tsunami and earthquake
reconstruction projects worth $12.88 million to the government of Aceh,
a special territory of Indonesia, where more than 226,000 people were
killed following an Indian Ocean earthquake a few years back. The
projects include two Saudi-funded orphanages and education centers in
Aceh region. 'The Kingdom has disbursed many forms of assistance, both
during the time of the crisis and also during the post-quake
rehabilitation and reconstruction period,'.." [more]
World
Oil Demand Settling Down: OPEC [Jun 13]
"The OPEC oil producers’ organization said the worst of the
impact from the economic crisis was past for the oil markets, as it
fractionally reduced its demand estimate for 2009 yesterday. 'In light
of the considerable challenges the world economy and commodity
markets, particularly the oil market, have undergone, the worst
appears to be behind us,' the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries wrote in its latest monthly report. 'As the world economy
stabilizes, the world oil demand appears to be settling down,' it
said. 'Industrial production activities are steadying and in some
parts of the world have even improved slightly. This should stop the
bleeding in oil demand. There are no significant downward revisions to
our previous oil demand forecasts.'.." [more]
Jeddah
Commercial Forum on June 15 [Jun 13]
"The deputy president of the National Land Transport committee at
the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ali Saeed Bin Al-Bassami
said that the Jeddah Commercial Forum will be inaugurated on June 15
under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.. ..The forum will
attempt to resolve some of the commercial problems faced by
businessmen along with a number of issues of vital interest to all the
members of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), he
said. 'Minister of Trade and Industry, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Zainal
Alireza, will provide an overview of the Saudi economy, highlighting
those local companies which are the symbols of the Kingdom’s strong
economic development in the face of the global financial
crisis,'.." [more]
GCC,
Philippines Launch Economic Cooperation [Jun 13]
"The GCC countries and the Philippines agreed to launch major
economic cooperation that will set the pace for stronger long-term
relations between the Philippines and the six regional states of Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. The
areas of key cooperation between the Philippines and the GCC were
decided upon last week following the visit of Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi,
Secretary General of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and
Industry, to Manila. Naqi was received by President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo in Malaca?ang Palace and held discussions with her on
wide-ranging issues of economic cooperation.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 12]~~~~~~~~~
Saudi
Arabia's Renewed Political Influence Counters Tehran [Jun 12]
"Saudi Arabia's traditional clout over Middle East politics
appears to be on the rebound with the weekend election victory of its
political allies in Lebanon, after years of frustration in Riyadh over
Iran's regional ascendancy. Invigorated Saudi influence could be
important to the Obama administration's emerging strategy on Middle
East peace. The staunch U.S. ally is seen in Washington as perhaps the
only regional powerhouse that can bring unruly Arab neighbors, in
particular Syria, into line with the U.S. goal of a comprehensive
Arab-Israeli peace deal. Both Riyadh and Washington believe that
checking Iran's recently rising regional influence is a key element.
Saudi officials could get another big boost if Iranian voters toss out
hard-line conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.." [more]
Saudis
Take Delivery of First Typhoon Jets [Jun 12]
"Saudi Arabia has taken delivery of the first two Eurofighter
Typhoons out of a massive order for 72 of the British planes that
first fell into doubt over an arms scandal, state news agency SPA said
on Friday. Assistant Defence and Aviation Minister Prince Khaled bin
Sultan received the two Typhoons at a ceremony with British officials
at the facilities of BAE Systems, the aircraft's manufacturer, in
Wharton, England on Thursday, it said. The two fighters were the first
out of an order for an eventual 72 that has been valued at up to 20
billion pounds (32.9 billion dollars), including armaments and
long-term servicing. Saudi Arabia is the first country outside
Europe to have the Typhoon, a multi-role aircraft produced by a BAE
Systems-led consortium of European firms.." [more]
Korean Builders May Win Saudi Contract [Jun 12]
"Three Korean builders are likely to obtain a 3 trillion won
($2.4 billion) order from Saudi Arabia to build a refinery plant
there, industry sources said yesterday. The companies - Daelim
Industrial Co., SK Engineering and Construction Co. and Samsung
Engineering Co. - have bid for the Jubail export refinery project,
which was awarded by Saudi Aramco, a state-owned national oil company,
and Total, a French oil company, they said. The plant to be built in
Al Jubail will have a daily processing capacity of 400,000 barrels and
cost $11 billion, the sources said.." [more]
Haj
Ministry Heightens Swine Flu Watch [Jun 12]
"Undersecretary at the Ministry of Haj Ali Balkhayr has said his
ministry is carefully watching outbreaks of infectious diseases, such
as swine flu, in various parts of the world. The ministry is
collaborating with the Ministry of Health to stop the entry of any
pilgrim carrying dangerous infections, Balkhayr said. 'Umrah
activities have never been disrupted by infectious diseases and none
of the scheduled pilgrim trips have been canceled because of swine
flu,' he added. According to Saad Al-Qurashi, head of the National
Committee for Haj and Umrah, no case of swine flu has been detected
among Umrah pilgrims since the virus originated in Mexico two months
ago. 'No pilgrim carrying infectious diseases is allowed to enter the
Kingdom because the Saudi missions abroad insist on strict health
precautions while issuing Umrah visas,'.." [more]
Girls
Need Athletics, Says Princess Adela [Jun 12]
"Princess Adela, daughter of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah, has called for the introduction of physical education
and athletic programs for girls at the Kingdom’s public schools as
quickly as possible. 'It’s high time to look into the matter of
introducing sports at girls schools seriously, following the teachings
of Islam,' Al-Riyadh Arabic daily quoted the princess as saying.
Princess Adela made this comment while opening a health program in the
Faisaliyah district of Riyadh.
She said introduction of athletic programs was essential to control
obesity and prevent related diseases among women. A study conducted by
researchers at the College of Medicine in King Faisal University in
Dammam showed that obesity is a common problem among intermediate and
secondary school girls. The study focused on social and economic
factors that cause obesity among students.." [more]
Saudi
Cityscape Expo Opens June 14 [Jun 12]
"A three-day exhibition and conference for Saudi real estate
development and investment entitled 'Cityscape' will open on June 14
under the patronage of Prince Mishal Bin Majed, the Governor of
Jeddah, at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events. Nearly 100 Saudi
and Gulf exhibitors will showcase their products in an area of ten
thousand square meters with the aim of achieving a breakthrough in new
investment and the marketing of real estate. 'The Conference will
feature a number of panel discussions on the long-term effects of
environmental work in Saudi Arabia, in addition to the effects of the
global financial crisis on real estate investment and development in
the Kingdom,'.." [more]
Vietnam
and Saudi Arabia See Great Potential From Each Other [Jun 12]
"President Nguyen Minh Triet and Minister of Petroleum and
Mineral Resources Ali Ibrahim Al Naimi of Saudi Arabia both said
bilateral co-operation should be based on each other’s strengths
such as Vietnam’s agriculture and the Middle-East country’s
energy. President Triet on June 11 welcomed the Saudi Arabian
minister’s working visit, saying it was a spring-board for the two
countries to usher in a new stage of bilateral ties. 'Ministries and
industries from the two countries should increase the exchange of
visits so as to work out concrete programmes of co-operation,'.. ..His
view was shared by the Saudi Arabian Minister, who said his country
was rich in energy and minerals while Vietnam had potential in labour
forces and agriculture so the two countries could supplement each
other through their co-operation.." [more]
Saudi
Arabian Healthcare Market Forecast to 2012 [Jun 12]
"According to a new report, “Saudi Arabian Healthcare Market
Forecast to 2012”, the Saudi Arabian healthcare market is witnessing
rapid growth and will continue to expand exponentially in future. The
country’s rapidly increasing population, due to which demand is
outpacing supply, can be regarded as the main push for the market. And
as the incidences of a number of lifestyle diseases, such as obesity,
diabetes and hypertension, in the country amongst the highest in the
world, these will significantly boost the healthcare spending in
future. Government plays a central role in providing healthcare
services in the kingdom, accounting for around 75% of the total
healthcare spending in the country.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 11]~~~~~~~~~
Saudi,
Gosaibi Impact on Gulf Widens [Jun 11]
"The impact of troubled Saudi groups Saad and Al Gosaibi widened
on Thursday with the first bank detailing its exposure while Al
Gosaibi said it had discovered evidence of "substantial financial
irregularities." Bank Muscat BMAO.OM, Oman's largest lender, said
on Thursday its exposures to both Saudi groups total $171.4 million
through its Riyadh branch and said its Bahraini unit BMI Bank also has
exposures of about $44 million. Little information has emerged since
privately-owned Saad Group [SAADG.UL] and Ahmad Hamad Al-Gosaibi &
Brothers Company both said they were restructuring debt, with parts of
Saad group being downgraded to junk status by Moody's.." [more]
Detainee
Deal With Saudis Close [Jun 11]
"The United States is nearing a deal that would send nearly 100
Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Arabia, according to
a Wall Street Journal report Thursday. Officials told the Journal the
deal could speed up President Obama's plan to close the U.S. military
facility that houses alleged terrorists. Of the nearly 250 people held
at Guantanamo, nearly half are from Yemen and are among the most
difficult to transfer given their alleged ties to al Qaeda, the
Journal reports. President Obama discussed such a deal with Yemen's
president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, last month, officials told the
Journal.." [more]
New
Plan to Improve Vice Cops’ Image [Jun 11]
"Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif will
launch a new strategic plan of the Commission for the Promotion of
Virtue and Prevention of Vice at the Riyadh InterContinental on
Tuesday. Abdul Aziz Al-Humain, president of the commission, said the
strategy was aimed at improving the organization’s stature and
services and enhancing the efficiency of its workers in order to make
it a model for government departments. Al-Humain signed an agreement
on Tuesday with Khaled Al-Sultan, president of King Fahd University of
Petroleum and Minerals, for drafting the commission’s long-term
strategy.. ..Al-Huwaimel added: “The goal is to achieve excellence
in carrying out our noble mission after identifying the commission’s
objectives.” He said the new strategy would overhaul the commission
in order for it to perform its duties in a proper manner.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 10]~~~~~~~~~
Saudi
Starts Pumping From Giant Khurais Oilfield [Jun 10]
"Saudi Arabia has started production from its giant Khurais
oilfield, the largest ever single addition to global oil supplies,
Saudi Aramco's top executive said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday..
..'The oil from the plant is now being pumped into tanks that are at
the project,' he said, adding that the field's capacity can now be
seen as part of Saudi Arabia's total output capacity. The kingdom does
not need to use the extra capacity at current demand levels, the head
of the state oil company said. The 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd)
Khurais field contains highly prized Arab Light crude, which is easily
converted into transport fuel. Khurais would also produce 315 million
cubic feet per day (cfd) of sour gas and 70,000 bpd of natural gas
liquids (NGL) to be processed at Shedgum and Yanbu gas plants.."
[more]
Saudi
Boosts Number of Qaeda Judges [Jun 10]
"Saudi Arabia plans to increase the number of special security
court judges handling the cases of alleged Al-Qaeda militants to speed
up the process, a newspaper reported on Wednesday. Five judges will be
added to the courts trying Al-Qaeda-linked suspects on charges of
bombings and other attacks, bringing the total to 12, Al-Watan
reported, citing a top judiciary official. 'We need to increase
the number of judges,' Saleh bin Humaid, head of the Supreme Judiciary
Council, told a press conference. 'The small number of judges is an
obstacle to the speedy management of cases.' According to Saudi rights
activists, the government began secret tribunals for nearly 1,000
suspected militants early this year, most of them believed linked to
attacks across the country during 2003-2005.." [more]
Palestinians
Press Saudi Arabia to Cancel Alstom Tender Win [Jun 10]
"The French companies involved in the Jerusalem light rail
project, among them Alstom and Veolia, are having to contend with
heavy pressure from Arab countries because of their activity in
Israel. Arab media report that senior figures in the Palestinian
Authority have appealed to the Saudi Arabian authorities to cancel
Alstom's win in a huge tender for the construction of the Haramain
Express Railway, a high-speed rail link between the holy cities of
Mecca and Medina. The reason is that Alstom is a 20% partner in the
City Pass consortium which won the concession for the Jerusalem light
railway.." [more]
Accords
Signed With Chinese Universities [Jun 10]
"The presidents of nine Saudi universities yesterday signed 24
agreements with Chinese universities in the presence of Higher
Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari and his Chinese counterpart. King
Saud University in Riyadh signed a research cooperation accord with
the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) for its Nano Technology Center.
"The agreement with CAS will open new areas of cooperation with
other centers of research in China," said Abdullah Al-Othman,
president of King Saud University. He said the agreement would benefit
more than 470 students in higher education departments. The signing of
new educational agreements comes as a result of the summit talks
between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Chinese
President Hu Jintao in Riyadh.." [more]
Kingdom’s
Population 25 Million [Jun 9]
" The population of the Kingdom as of the middle of this year has
been estimated at 25,373,512 persons, according to the Central
Department of Statistics and Information. Abdullah Al-Batil, deputy
operations manager for the population census, added that over 18
million of the total are Saudi nationals, made up of 9,307,550 males
and 9,235,969 females. The statistics, based on birth and death rates
for nationals and annual immigration figures for non-nationals, put
the number of foreign expatriates at 6,830,266, with 4,687,043 males
and 2,143,223 females. The estimations come ahead of the national
population census which is scheduled to start early in the second
quarter of 2010, possibly in tandem with other GCC states.." [more]
Gulf
Facing Imminent Barriers to Clean Water [Jun 10]
"The obstacles that the Gulf region faces when it comes to clean
water are imminent. According to various sources, Arab countries
receive approximately 2 percent of the world’s rainfall and have a
mere 0.4 percent of the world’s recoverable water resources, with
less than 150 billion cubic meters of total water resources allocated
to the 22 Arab states. By 2030, the population in Arab countries is
expected to more than double. According to estimates, the population
of Saudi Arabia has increased from 3.8 to 4 percent per year. As a
result of this escalation, demand for water in Saudi Arabia has risen
from 1 million to about 5 million cubic meters per day over the last
25 years.." [more]
Saudis
Get a Draw in Seoul, 1 Win From World Cup [Jun 10]
"Saudi Arabia set up a showdown in qualifying for the 2010 World
Cup with a 0-0 tie at South Korea on Wednesday. The result moved
the Saudis even with North Korea for second place in Group B. Saudi
Arabia will host North Korea next Wednesday, with automatic World Cup
qualification on the line. A tie will be enough for North Korea to
advance. The third-place team in the group will go to a
playoff with the third-place team in Group A for the right to play
Oceania champion New Zealand for a spot at the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa.." [more]
Saudi
Arabia Tops World List For New Retailers [Jun 10]
"Saudi Arabia saw more new retailers arrive in the past year than
any other country in the world, according to new research by real
estate consultancy CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). The kingdom attracted 37
new international retailers over the last year, according to an annual
CBRE study that maps the global footprint of 280 of the world’s top
retailers across 67 countries. 'What makes the retail market in
the region so appealing is that over recent years has been the overall
growth in the KSA, which has allowed for some strong sales figures and
that has underpinned the introduction of new brands and the rapid
expansion of outlets,'.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 9]~~~~~~~~~
A New
Era in US-Islamic World Ties: Cabinet [Jun 9]
"A new era has begun in the relations between the US and the
Islamic world, said King Abdullah while chairing the weekly Cabinet
session here, Monday. The King said his talks with US President Barack
Obama Wednesday focused on strengthening and deepening the bonds of
friendship between the two countries. King Abdullah told the Cabinet
that he discussed with President Obama regional issues, foremost of
which was the Mideast peace stalemate. The Cabinet viewed Obama’s
Cairo speech as a new beginning, which would pave the way for a
constructive, instrumental and genuine dialogue, said Minister of
Culture and Information Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja.." [more]
Saudi
Foreign Minister Meets With Top Vatican Officials [Jun 9]
"Vatican officials met with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister,
Prince Saud Al Faisal, to discuss ideas that came out of a major
interreligious meeting in Spain last year. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran,
president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, met
with the prince and his delegation at the Vatican June 5. Three other
members of the Vatican interreligious council were part of the
closed-door deliberations. During the meeting, Vatican officials and
the Saudi delegation exchanged ideas that came out of the World
Conference of Dialogue in Spain in 2008 that had been initiated by
Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Aziz, said a Vatican press release June
6.. ..The Vatican and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic ties,
but King Abdullah met with Pope Benedict XVI in November 2007, the
first such meeting between a pope and a reigning Saudi monarch.."
[more]
Trade
to Play Vital Role in Kingdom’s Ties With US [Jun 9]
"Saudi exports to the US have witnessed a substantial increase
(due to the appreciation of oil prices) over the past year. Total
exports in 2007 are estimated at SR141.3 billion ($37.68 billion).
Saudi Arabia’s exports to the US have also changed direction over
the years. In 2000, 20 percent of Saudi exports (mostly oil-based)
went to the US, and by 2007 that figure had fallen to an estimated 15
percent.. ..Going forward, the Saudi-US economic relationship will
continue to strengthen. Trade will play a pivotal role in the
relationship between the two. The US, given its high-value, high-tech
products should continue to maintain its niche position in the Saudi
market for many years to come, but the nature of the trade
relationship will evolve as global trends change and new competitors
emerge.." [more]
Women's Education in Saudi Arabia: The Way Forward [Jun 9]
"In recent years, women's education in Saudi Arabia has
experienced significant progress. Girls' access to education has
increased and the gender gap reduced, while women's education has
prompted a number of social developments. However, lingering
social norms, traditions, and the existing public education system
have been constraints on women's realization of equal opportunities..
..Saudi Arabia has invested large amounts of money in public
education, but it has not resulted in an equal increase in women's
production output. It has led to a growth in the number of girls'
schools, to the detriment of teaching quality.." [more]
Saudi
Arabia Set to Launch New Bond Market [Jun 9]
"Saudi Arabia is poised to launch a sukuk and bond market this
week, a step analysts said Tuesday reflected the OPEC kingpin's push
to further develop its debt market at a time when the global meltdown
is drying up credit and restricting liquidity. The new market's launch
on June 13 comes as Saudi Arabia, home to the world's largest proven
reserves of crude oil and the Arab world's largest economy, forges
ahead with a slew of infrastructure projects that officials say will
cost around $400 billion over the next five years. It also marks a
broader push within the Gulf Arab region to try to encourage a shift
away from bank lending and the development of a new debt
market.." [more]
Samsung
Electronics in $100 mln Saudi Mobily Deal [Jun 9]
"Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) will supply Saudi mobile phone
group Etihad Etisalat (7020.SE) (Mobily) with WiMax technology in a
deal worth 375 million riyals ($100 million), Mobily officials said on
Tuesday. Mobily said the wireless broadband network would be the
biggest of its kind in the Middle East.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 8]~~~~~~~~~
Arab
Patience Running Out – King [Jun 8]
"King Abdullah told US President Barack Obama during last
week’s meeting that Arab patience was 'running out' and that solving
the Palestinian issue was the 'magic key' to finding solutions to all
other problems in the region.. ..'We the Arabs want to devote
ourselves to building a generation capable of facing the future with
work and knowledge,' the King reportedly told Obama. 'We need from you
serious participation in solving the Palestinian issue and need you to
enforce the solution if so required,' King Abdullah is quoted as
saying by Al-Hayat, adding that delays in giving the Palestinians
their rights complicated the case and every other case as a
result.." [more]
Saudi
Woman Minister Needs Permission to be on TV [Jun 8]
" Saudi Arabia's first woman cabinet minister cannot appear on
television without permission, a newspaper quoted her as saying on
Monday. Noura al-Faiz's appointment in February as deputy minister for
women's education was hailed as a big step for the integration of
women in conservative Saudi Arabia where a puritanical form of Islam
bans women from driving, voting and mixing with unrelated men. 'I
don't take my veil off and I will not appear on television unless it
is allowed for us to do so,' Faiz told the daily Shamss, which
published a picture of the deputy minister wearing a headscarf with
her face showing.." [more]
Economic
Cities to Boost GDP by $150b [Jun 8]
"The six economic cities are expected to contribute $150 billion
to the Kingdom’s national product by 2020 and provide job
opportunities for 1.3 million persons, according to reports in a study
conducted by Ahli Capital, a subsidiary of the National Commercial
Bank. The cities are also expected to house 4.9 million people. Other
reports in the study on the Kingdom’s economic and industrial
environments showed that the Saudi economy recorded the highest growth
rate of countries in the Middle East over the last few years.." [more]
US
Rapporteur Sees Rights Situation Improving [Jun 8]
"UN Special Rapporteur on Discrimination Against Women Yakin
Erturk presented recently a report about her last visit to a number of
countries including the Kingdom. The report was presented during the
Human Rights Council 11th session last week. Erturk started by
commending the Kingdom for its cooperation and providing a chance for
her to meet with representatives from non-governmental groups. She
praised the governmental Human Rights Commission’s for enabling her
to fulfill her mission. In reference to the Kingdom’s collaboration
with the UN in the field of human rights, the Erturk presented her
report to the committee designated to eliminate all forms of
discrimination against women. Erturk also pointed out that although
Saudi society has sex discrimination, the Kingdom had witnessed many
positive developments in a very short period of time.." [more]
Saudi
to Keep July Crude Curbs Steady to Asia [Jun 8]
"Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, told three Asian
term buyers on Monday it will keep supply curbs on contracted volumes
of crude oil in July steady with June levels, industry sources said on
Monday. Another Asian term buyer said it had yet to receive a notice
for July supplies, but was expecting supply cuts to be the same as
last month.." [more]
Indonesian
Clerics Ask Saudis to Drop Hajj Vaccination [Jun 8]
"Indonesia's top Muslim body on Monday called on Saudi Arabia to
drop a mandatory meningitis vaccination for hajj pilgrims, claiming
the injection contains an enzyme from a pig, seen as unclean in
Islam.. ..Amin said the vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline had
confirmed that a pig enzyme was used in the early stages of production
of the vaccine, but was not in the final product.. .."As the hajj
pilgrimage is a religious obligation, we have asked the Saudi
authorities not to insist on the meningitis vaccination
requirement," Amin said, adding that if necessary, an alternative
should be found. An official at Indonesia's religious affairs ministry
said Saudi Arabia has required pilgrims to have a meningitis
vaccination for 10 years, following an outbreak that originated with
African pilgrims.." [more]
~~~~~~~~
[ Jun 7]~~~~~~~~~
No
Diplomatic Overtures Before Return of Arab Land, says Saud [Jun 7]
"..Washington could use its aid as a lever to push Israel into a
two-state settlement with the Palestinians, Foreign Minister Prince
Saud Al-Faisal said in an interview published yesterday.. ..Prince
Saud praised Obama’s 'sincerity' and his calling Israel’s
expansion of West Bank settlements as 'not legitimate,' but said the
speech 'has yet to be translated into actions.' And he fended off
Washington’s call for Arab states to make diplomatic overtures to
Israel to get new peace negotiations off the ground. 'We don’t have
anything to offer Israel except normalization, and if we put that
before the return of Arab land we are giving away the only chip in the
hands of Arab countries,'.." [more]
Saudi
Security Forces Deter Anti-Manahi Film Protesters in Riyadh [Jun 7]
"Saudi security forces thwarted efforts by Islamic militants in
Saudi Arabia to prevent the screening of the film, Manahi, at the King
Fahd Cultural Center. The film has sparked protests from militants who
threatened to stop the screening of the film, which they called a
corruption and a sin. The film was first shown in Riyadh on Friday,
marking the first time in three decades that cinemas opened in Saudi
Arabia.. ..Two militants had entered a cinema to try to stop a
screening of the film and called film director Fayez Al Maliki a
'leader of misguided people' . Al Maliki also received threats via SMS,
according to media reports.." [more]
Gulf
States Sign Monetary Pact After UAE Pullout [Jun 7]
"Four Gulf Arab states signed a pact on Sunday creating a
pared-down monetary union with a currency starting with a dollar peg,
after the United Arab Emirates became the second country abandoning
the project. 'The joint Gulf currency will be pegged to the dollar,'
Abdul-Rahman al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC).. ..With the exception of Kuwait, which dropped its
dollar peg in favour of currency basket in 2007, the other three union
members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain all have pegged their
currencies to the greenback.. ..'This is also a confidence booster to
the U.S. economy by the largest energy exporter in the world,'.."
[more]
Saudi
Regulator Approves Six IPOs Over June-Oct [Jun 7]
"Saudi Arabia's stock market regulator said on Sunday it had
approved six initial public offerings (IPOs) for the period until
October, the first of which will be for Saudi Steel Pipes Co (SSP)
this month. The IPOs will be the first since April when four insurance
companies raised 260 million riyals. SSP, which was founded in 1980
and caters mainly to the oil and gas industry, will offer 16 million
shares, or 31.4 percent of its capital, over the June 27 to July 3
period, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) said in statements.
Mouwasat Medical Services Co, set up in 1975 and engaged in the
ownership and management of hospitals and pharmacies, will sell 7.5
million shares representing 30 percent of its capital over Aug. 15 to
21.." [more]
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