Saudi Arabia

UPDATED: Blinken says meeting with Saudi Crown Prince was “very productive”

By Humeyra Pamuk RIYADH, Oct 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday said he held a "very productive" meeting with the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh,…

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Iran president, Saudi crown prince speak for first time since ties restored

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Wednesday, in the first telephone call between the two leaders since a China-brokered deal…

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Russia, Saudi Arabia discuss oil market, prices amid Israel-Hamas war

Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's top two oil exporters, on Wednesday discussed the situation on the oil market and prices amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, President…

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US-Saudi defence pact tied to Israel deal, Palestinian demands put aside

By Samia Nakhoul, James Mackenzie, Matt Spetalnick and Aziz El Yaakoubi Sept 29 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is determined to secure a military pact requiring the United States to defend…

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Saudi Arabia says it plans tougher IAEA checks on its nuclear activities

Saudi Arabia said on Monday it has decided to end light-touch oversight of its nuclear activities by the U.N. atomic watchdog and switch to full-blown safeguards, a change the agency…

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Saudi crown prince says getting ‘closer’ to Israel normalization -Fox interview

By Matt Spetalnick and Eric Beech WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a U.S. television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to…

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Saudi Arabia eyes world stage after BRICS invitation

China-led expansion calls for counterweight to West Saudi-U.S. ties strained over energy policy Washington concerned about non-dollar oil sales Iran, Egypt, UAE, Argentina, Ethiopia join BRICS By Yousef Saba and…

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Saudi Arabia considers Chinese bid for nuclear plant -WSJ

Saudi Arabia is considering a Chinese bid to build it a nuclear power plant, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, a decision that could derail U.S. plans in the…

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Saudi Arabia buys Turkish drones during Erdogan’s visit

Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to buy Turkish drones, one of several lucrative contracts President Tayyip Erdogan secured for Turkey's struggling economy as Ankara reaps the benefits of his recent…

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Saudi Arabia and Russia deepen oil cuts, sending prices higher

By Maha El Dahan and Jana Choukeir DUBAI, July 3 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest oil exporters, deepened oil cuts on Monday, sending prices higher despite…

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Two dead after exchange of fire near US consulate in Jeddah

A man with a firearm was stopped near the American Consulate building in Jeddah before an exchange of fire broke out with the security authorities, which led to his death, Saudi Press Agency…

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Defying high prices, Muslim pilgrims head to Mecca for haj

By Arafat Barbakh MECCA, Saudi Arabia, June 26 (Reuters) - Palestinian pilgrim Abu Anas Abu Rahal was hoping to find cheaper lodgings for a week-long stay in Islam's holiest sites…

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Saudi Arabia economy grew 3.8% boosted by non-oil activities

DUBAI, June 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's economy grew by 3.8% year on year in the first quarter of 2023, the General Authority for Statistics said on Thursday, broadly in…

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Saudi population at 32.2 mln, 63% of Saudis under 30 years old -census

RIYADH, May 31 (Reuters) - The population of Saudi Arabia has reached 32.2 million, 42% of whom are foreign nationals with 63% of Saudis under age 30, the country's general…

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Saudi embrace of Assad sends strong signal to US

By Samia Nakhoul and Aziz El Yaakoubi Once labelled a pariah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took centre stage as master of ceremonies last week when Arab states readmitted…

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UPDATED: Syria’s Assad to attend Arab summit, bringing regional isolation to an end

By Aziz El Yaakoubi JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 19 (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is in Saudi Arabia on Friday to attend an Arab summit where he will rub…

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to headline Arab summit

By Aziz El Yaakoubi Summit will mark Assad's return to fold West unhappy with development Sudan conflict among other issues to be raised Saudi asserts leadership, as Qatar steps back…

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ANALYSIS: Qatar takes diplomatic back seat as Saudi flexes political muscle

Qatar loses diplomatic clout as Saudi influence grows Doha-based Syria diplomatic mission only revolutionary embassy Arab leaders set to welcome Assad gov't back in Friday summit By Andrew Mills DOHA,…

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Eid al-Fitr to start for Sunni Muslims

Saudi Arabia, the country with Islam's holiest city of Mecca, has announced that this year's Eid al-Fitr will start on Friday, marking the end of Ramadan. "Tomorrow, Friday, is the…

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Saudi Arabia, Syria welcome thaw in ties, agree to fight drug trafficking

RIYADH, (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Syria's foreign ministers welcomed a thaw in bilateral ties, including steps to resume consular services and flights, and agreed to cooperate to fight drug…

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Saudi-Iranian ties: A history of ups and downs

DUBAI, April 6 (Reuters) - The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia met in China for the first formal meeting of their most senior diplomats in more than seven…

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Egypt’s Sisi visits Saudi Arabia amid financial pressure, regional realignment

RIYADH (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Saudi state news agency SPA said, as Cairo seeks financial inflows to ease pressure on its currency…

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Saudi Arabia to invite Syria’s Assad to Arab leaders summit

RIYADH/BEIRUT, April 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is planning to invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to an Arab League summit that Riyadh is hosting in May, three sources familiar with…

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Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Muslim holy month

March 27 (Reuters) - Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, have agreed to meet during the ongoing Muslim holy month of…

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After Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish ties with Syria

Saudi Arabia, Syria cut ties more than a decade ago Agreement on reopening embassies follows Saudi-Iran deal BEIRUT/RIYADH, (Reuters) - Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reopen their embassies…

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Saudi investment in Iran could happen ‘very quickly’ after agreement – minister

By Rachna Uppal RIYADH, March 15 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's finance minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan, said on Wednesday that Saudi investments into Iran could happen "very quickly" following an agreement. "There…

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Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to resume ties, re-open embassies

March 10 (Reuters) - Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations after talks in Beijing between officials from the two rival Middle East powers, Iranian state media…

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Saudi Arabia deposits $5 bln in Turkey’s central bank

DUBAI, March 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with Turkey to deposit $5 billion in the country's central bank through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the…

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Arab states need new approach towards Syria, says Saudi foreign minister

DUBAI, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said consensus was building in the Arab world that isolating Syria was not working and that dialogue with Damascus was needed…

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Saudi minister warns sanctions, underinvestment may cause energy shortages

DUBAI, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman warned on Saturday that sanctions and underinvestment in the energy sector could result in a shortage of energy…

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Saudi energy minister sees no clear results yet from Russia price cap

European sanctions, price caps did not bring clear results There is uncertainity in implementation of Dec. 5 measures Central Banks still preoccupied with managing inflation Impact of China easing COVID-19…

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Joint UAE-Saudi statement says UAE president, Saudi crown prince led mediation to release Griner

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates president and Saudi crown prince led mediation efforts that secured the release of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap with…

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Saudi and China strengthen energy, trade and investment ties

Saudi Arabia will host a China-Arab summit on Dec. 9 attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the leaders of the two countries expected to discuss trade ties and regional…

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U.S.-Saudi ties under review despite Khashoggi immunity ruling, Blinken says

The U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia is still under review despite a Biden administration ruling that the Saudi crown prince has immunity from a lawsuit over the murder of Jamal…

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Biden administration says Saudi prince has immunity in Khashoggi killing lawsuit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration ruled that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has immunity from a lawsuit over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, drawing immediate condemnation from…

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Saudi Arabia considers new mining index in diversification push

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is considering setting up a new metals and mining stock exchange index as it looks to expand its resources sector to diversify away from hydrocarbons, a…

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U.S. concerned about Iranian threats to Saudi Arabia

The United States is concerned about threats from Iran against Saudi Arabia and will not hesitate to respond if necessary, a White House spokesperson warned. "We are concerned about the…

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Saudi Arabia signals mining focus as it looks to diversify

SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to award over a dozen mining exploration licences to international investors as it looks to enter the mining sector in a big…

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Saudi finance minister says next six months ‘very good’ for Gulf

RIYADH, (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's finance minister said the next six months, and possibly six years, would be "very good" for the Gulf Arab countries but "very difficult" for the…

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Saudi king Salman says kingdom seeks stability and balance in oil markets

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi King Salman said the kingdom was working hard to support stability and balance in oil markets, including by establishing and maintaining the agreement of the OPEC+…

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Biden vows consequences for Saudi Arabia after OPEC decision

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden pledged "there will be consequences" for U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ announced last week that it would cut oil production over U.S.…

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OPEC+ oil output cut shows widening rift between Biden and Saudi royals

WASHINGTON/LONDON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The OPEC+ organization's decision this week to cut oil production despite stiff U.S. opposition has further strained already tense relations between President Joe Biden's White…

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Saudi king names crown prince MbS as prime minister

RIYADH, (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz named his son and heir Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the kingdom's prime minister and his second son Prince Khalid…

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Saudi consumer prices up 3% in August on higher food, transport

DUBAI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's consumer price index (CPI) rose 3% in August from a year earlier, official data showed on Thursday, accelerating from a 2.7% increase in…

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Saudi non-oil private sector gathers pace in August – PMI

DUBAI, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector expanded in August at its fastest rate since October last year, as business activity was boosted by improving demand conditions,…

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Photo Story: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman leads annual Kaaba washing ceremony

A handout photo made available by Saudi Royal Court shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he leads the annual washing ceremony of the Holy Kaaba on behalf of…

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Saudis open airspace to more flights serving Israel

Cathay Pacific and Air Seychelles have overflown Saudi Arabia for Israel flights for the first time, aviation data showed, after Riyadh announced last month it would open its airspace to…

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Saudi non-oil private sector growth slows in July but stays solid – PMI

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector kept up a steady pace of growth in July, albeit slowing slightly from June, helped by increases in customer numbers, purchasing and output,…

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Putin discusses oil market with Saudi crown prince who hosted Biden last week

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Thursday and underlined the importance of further cooperation within the OPEC+ group of oil producers,…

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Biden disputes Saudi account of Khashoggi murder discussion

July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday differed with Saudi Arabia in their account of discussions at a bilateral summit about the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi,…

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Biden fails to secure major security, oil commitments at Arab summit

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 16 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden told Arab leaders on Saturday that the United States would remain an active partner in the Middle East, but he failed to…

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Biden hopes for Israeli integration at Arab summit in Saudi

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss regional missile and defence capabilities on Saturday when he meets Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia, where he will be…

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UPDATED: Saudi prince told Biden that U.S. has made mistakes too

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told U.S. President Joe Biden that Saudi Arabia had acted to prevent mistakes like the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but that the United States…

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FACTBOX-Biden set to tackle oil, Israel, Yemen, Iran on Saudi trip

DUBAI, July 15 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will visit the United State's most important Arab ally Saudi Arabia on July 15-16 after two years of strained ties over the killing of…

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UPDATED: Biden heads to Saudi Arabia amid tension on oil, Khashoggi killing

JERUSALEM/JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 15 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will discuss energy supply, human rights, and security cooperation in Saudi Arabia on Friday on a trip designed to reset the U.S.…

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UPDATED: Saudi Arabia to open airspace to all airlines, including from Israel

July 15 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said it would open its airspace to all air carriers, paving the way for more overflights to and from Israel, in a decision welcomed by U.S.…

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U.S. weighs possible resumption of offensive arms sales to Saudis

WASHINGTON/RIYADH, July 11 (Reuters) - The Biden administration is discussing the possible lifting of its ban on U.S. sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, but any final decision is expected to…

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