Day: April 2, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s officials have been seeking aid from the United States to develop nuclear power for years to no avail and are currently exploring options to work with other countries, including China and Russia, The New York Timesreported on Saturday, citing sources. Unnamed officials with knowledge of the discussions told the newspaper that nuclear partnership talks between Saudi Arabia and the US have dragged on primarily due to Riyadh’s refusal to agree to the terms that would prevent it from developing nuclear weapons or helping other countries in this field. Therefore, Saudi officials are reportedly exploring options for cooperation with other countries, including China, Russia, or some ally of the US, the report indicated. It added that at the same time, Saudi officials are renewing pressure on Washington by offering to normalize relations with “Israel” in exchange for its cooperation in the construction of nuclear reactors and other guarantees, the report claimed. This comes a couple of days after Saudi Arabia’s King Salman authorized during a Cabinet session a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to grant the Arab country the status of a dialogue partnerin the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). King Salman also approved the signing of an MOU between the Kingdom and China on technical and vocational training. The decision came one day after Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, during which Xi said that China plans to maintain strong collaboration with Saudi Arabia on matters important for both countries, strengthening practical cooperation and humanitarian exchange. In January, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud said that his country was intending to use its uranium reserves to produce low-enriched uranium and increase international cooperation in the nuclear sector. In 2018, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman said that the Kingdom would begin to develop its own nuclear weapons if Iran allegedly came into possession of nuclear arms.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch, Cardonal Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, considered, at the Palm Sunday Mass, that the best politicians are those who are committed to telling the truth and realizing that the power entrusted to them is for service, not for domination. He stressed that “the true politician is a servant, and when the opposite is the case, he is a bad politician.” Addressing the Lebanese politicians, especially deputies, he pointed out that the guarantor of good politics is through the election of a President of the Republic, in order to regulate the work of the constitutional institutions. Rahi pointed out that Bkerki is preparing for a spiritual retreat on April 5, for the sake of Lebanon and its salvation from crises.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

MP Fouad Makhzoumi tweeted today: “On the World Autism Awareness Day, we renew the call to raise the voice high and shed light on this issue, which requires activating the integration of people with autism and enhancing their effective participation in society, in a manner that ensures that they are not marginalized and guarantees their full rights and freedoms as other members of society”.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Iran’s foreign minister says within the next 48 hours he will have a phone conversation with his Saudi counterpart to confirm the date and venue of their expected meeting. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the comments on Saturday on the occasion of the national flag day. Following the recent agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and consulates, Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, had two phone conversations. During their second phone call, it was agreed that the two foreign ministers hold a meeting in the fasting month of Ramadan. Iranian foreign minister further claimed that the Islamic Republic ‘owes its legitimacy to the great people of Iran, and the key to the stability of the Islamic Republic is the continuation of such legitimacy and the vote of people.’ ‘In the past forty-four years, the enemies made many efforts to incur their enmity against the Islamic Republic…and the holy flag of Iran. However, hoisting of Iranian flag after 44 years proves the failure of their policy and…the heart-felt interest of Iranians all over the world for the great and Islamic Iran,’ he added. His statements come as the Islamic regime has been facing a more serious legitimacy crisis over the past six month with mass protests across the country with people clearly calling for the ouster of the regime. He also talks of heart-felt support of Iranians across the world as tens of thousands of Iranian living abroad have repeatedly staged protests in different cities of the world to condemn the brutality of the regime which killed over 500 protesters and wounded many more since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

MP Bilal Abdallah wrote today on Twitter: ‘A huge, striking gap between Lebanon’s traders’ import of 19 or 20 billion dollars in 2022, and the attrition taking place in our hard currency…The logic says that some traders smuggle the dollar abroad, not to mention the constant bleeding into Syria and some other countries….How and when is this chaos going to be controlled, which is comsidered treason?”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic, headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Sousan, left Damascus this morning heading to Moscow to participate in the quadruple meeting for the assistant foreign ministers in Syria, Russia, Iran and Turkey, according to “Russia Today” news agency. “The focus will be on the end of the Turkish military presence in the Syrian territories, the fight against terrorism and not to interfere in Syrian internal affairs.” Sousan said, pointing out that the delegation “will hold bilateral consultations with the Russian and Iranian sides tomorrow, Monday, before partaking in the quadruple meeting on the second day.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon