Government | Sunday 25 January, 2015 12:28 am

World leaders descend on Riyadh

A long list of high-profile world leaders arrived in the capital on Saturday to pay their last respects to King Abdullah, who breathed his last on Friday.US President Barack Obama telephoned Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Saturday to convey his condolences and congratulated him on ...

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Government | Saturday 24 January, 2015 1:16 pm

The whole nation is rallying behind King Salman

Saudis recalled the late King Abdullah’s concern for the people in general and Saudis in particular, and his unique contribution in making their lives peaceful and comfortable. They expressed their full faith in his successor, King Salman.Omar Abdullah Nasseef, dean of the English language...

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Government | Saturday 24 January, 2015 12:22 am

World leaders remember ‘Islam-West mediator’ Abdullah

World leaders paid tribute to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Friday, praising the late ruler as a key mediator between Muslims and the West.US President Barack Obama said he and Abdullah, whose country has for decades been a strategic ally of Washington, had enjoyed a “genuine and warm...

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Government | Saturday 24 January, 2015 12:05 am

King Salman outlines vision for ‘stability and unity’

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has pledged to continue the current policies of the government, to ensure stability and unity in the country. In a speech following the death of King Abdullah on Friday, King Salman also urged the nation’s citizens to pledge their allegiance to new...

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Government | Thursday 22 January, 2015 8:22 am

Social Affairs Ministry admits charities raised funds illegally

The Ministry of Social Affairs has revealed that law-enforcement agencies closed down some of its charities because they had raised funds illegally from the public.In reports sent to the Shoura Council, officials at the ministry admitted that these offices had committed the offenses, but did not...

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Government | Monday 19 January, 2015 2:19 am

Fingerprints a must for ID renewals from Wednesday

Fingerprinting will be a must for all male and female expatriates for renewal and issuance of iqama from Rabi Al-Thani 1 (Jan. 21).Sources at the Passport Department said that the fingerprint of male and female expatriates will be necessary for the renewal of residence permits (iqama); the...

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Government | Monday 19 January, 2015 2:13 am

Shoura OKs panel on domestic violence

The Shoura Council on Tuesday voted a proposal to establish a special executive committee to deal with domestic violence. This topic is a priority on the council’s agenda, sources told Arab News.The Ministry of Social Affairs recently submitted a proposal to establish a special executive...

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Government | Thursday 15 January, 2015 3:01 am

Eight detours set to ease traffic at Grand Mosque

Makkah’s traffic department has approved eight detours to ease congestion close to the Grand Mosque caused by huge numbers of Umrah pilgrims and visitors.Col. Salman bin Mayous Al-Jumaihi, director of the traffic department, said the measures have been taken to prevent pilgrims heading to the...

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Government | Thursday 8 January, 2015 10:27 am

Mataf expansion to be ‘completed before Haj’

The ongoing expansion of mataf, or circumambulation area around the Kaaba, would be completed before this year’s Haj, said Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, on Wednesday.Inspecting the Haram expansion project here, he said thousands of pilgrims would be able...

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Government | Tuesday 6 January, 2015 8:46 am

King Abdullah ‘recovering from illness’

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, on Monday reassured the public about the health of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.Presiding over a Cabinet meeting in Riyadh, Prince Salman thanked local and international well-wishers for their concern about the king,...

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