
Saudi FM Receives Written Message from Russian Counterpart
The message addressed relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed ways to further consolidate them across all fields.
The Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sergey Kozlov, on Wednesday handed the message to the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Khuraiji received the message on behalf of Prince Faisal bin Farhan. During the reception, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov reviewed ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed topics of mutual interest.
Earlier in July, Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Lavrov during an official visit to Moscow. Both diplomats reviewed bilateral relations and the historical friendship between their nations. They also explored ways to further bolster ties and expand cooperation across various fields.
Moreover, the two ministers discussed the recent developments in the region and efforts made to address them.
Prince Faisal also praised the robust Saudi-Russian relations and the growing tourist activity between the two countries.
'We hope that the visa exemption agreement will significantly foster tourism cooperation and expand direct flights between both countries,' he said.
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Arab News
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- Arab News
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Saudi Gazette
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Asharq Al-Awsat
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- Asharq Al-Awsat
Abubakr Al-Qirbi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ali Abdullah Saleh Anticipated His Fate at the Hands of the Houthis
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Al-Qirbi confirms that Saleh had urged Hadi to stop the Houthi advance before they reached Sana'a, a warning that went unheeded. 'Saleh expected the government to act, but it didn't. That was a pivotal moment.' The Fall of Sana'a and Saleh's Final Days When the Houthis seized Sana'a in 2014, Al-Qirbi was in the city. He recalls the shock that swept through the capital as government forces surrendered without resistance. 'Nobody expected it to happen so easily,' he said. Despite forming a brief partnership with the Houthis, Saleh grew increasingly uneasy. Al-Qirbi recounts how Houthi supervisors effectively controlled ministries, sidelining GPC ministers and eroding Saleh's influence. By 2017, tensions reached a breaking point. As Saleh prepared to commemorate the anniversary of the GPC's founding, Houthi forces viewed the event as a political threat. That same year, they killed him. 'Saleh anticipated it,' Al-Qirbi admits. 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