A large number of representatives from the ministries of education of ABEGS member states will attend the two-day event on the “Iftah Ya Simsim” project, sponsored by the GCC Joint Program Production Institution (GCC-JPPI) and SABIC.
“The REDF has waived loans of the citizens of different cities and villages, which come as a big relief for the kith and kin in the families,” said Hassan bin Mohammed Al-Attas, the fund’s acting director general, while giving details Saturday of REDF’s operations. “Those who died after Sept. 11, 2007 will be covered by the loan waiver scheme only if they had been paying the loans’ installments regularly.”
In his congratulatory note Sunday, Al-Zuman said: “I was elated, in fact overjoyed, on learning about the successful expedition of Al-Houby. You have dared to face the harsh freezing temperature and the hurricane-force winds to reach the top. You have become a role model for the youth of the Arab and Gulf countries.”
Al-Zayani told Arab News in an exclusive interview that “The GCC initiative has been accepted by all parties including the ruling regime.” Asked about the demands made by international human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch to revoke the immunity clause from the GCC pact, he ruled out any such possibility or amendment. The GCC chief was speaking on the sidelines of the 30th anniversary celebrations organized at the GCC General Secretariat on Tuesday night.
RIYADH: A proposal to expand the joint force of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called Peninsula Shield is currently being reviewed by the Gulf governments with an aim to boost indigenous capability to deter any external threat or aggression.
Osama Bin Ladens family members who are in Pakistans custody after the Abbottabad operation will not be sent to a third country, or handed over to the United States.
ISLAMABAD/ RIYADH: Gunmen shot dead a Saudi diplomat as he was driving in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Monday, days after two stun grenades were tossed at the consulate building.
This consultative meeting of the GCC leaders will also share information and look at possible ways to solve the crises in a number of states in the region, in particular Yemen, Libya, Syria and Iraq as well as Afghanistan.
RIYADH: A Saudi diplomat who was kidnapped by tribal militants in Yemen late last month has been released and is under the protection of the Saudi Embassy in Sanaa, said Osama Nugali, a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here Tuesday. Saeed Al-Malki was freed Tuesday morning, said Nugali.
“The GCC foreign ministers discussed all aspects of the deal and ways to ensure political transition in that fragile nation,” said a statement released by the GCC General Secretariat here following a GCC ministerial meeting on Sunday. Sultan Al-Barakani, assistant secretary-general to Yemen’s ruling General People Congress (GPC) party said Sunday the president was still committed to the GCC deal, suggesting that Sanaa would be a better venue for the signing ceremony.