Middle East & North Africa

Saudi FM to visit Iran on Saturday

TEHRAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud will make a visit to Iran's capital Tehran on Saturday, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported Thursday.

During the visit, the top Saudi diplomat will hold talks with Iranian officials, the report said.

Earlier media reports said Saudi Arabia will likely reopen its embassy in Tehran during the minister's trip to Iran.

US lawmakers vote to appoint envoy to advance Abraham Accords

14 June 2023; MEMO: The US House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that mandates the Biden Administration to appoint an envoy for the Abraham Accords to help advance Israel's normalisation with Arab States, particularly with Saudi Arabia.

The bill, which was first introduced in February, would create a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords with the rank of ambassador who would be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

US initiates low-key diplomatic contacts with Iran to ease tensions: Report

14 June 2023; MEMO: The administration of US President, Joe Biden, has quietly recommenced negotiations with Iran to secure the release of American prisoners and curb Tehran's nuclear program, according to a report Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US approved the release of €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) held by Iraq for Iranian electricity and gas imports, citing those close to the discussions.

Israel: Opposition member to sit on judges panel in blow to Netanyahu

14 June 2023; MEMO: Parliament delivered a surprise blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition on Wednesday by electing an opposition member to sit on a committee that appoints judges, a panel at the heart of a political battle over Israel's justice system, Reuters reports.

90% of Syrians live below poverty line; Red Cross

14 June 2023; MEMO: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) estimates that about 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line, Anadolu Agency reports.

"Nearly 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line, with more than 15 million needing humanitarian assistance, a trend that has been sustained over the past years," the ICRC said in a statement.

"The risk of collapse of Syria's critical infrastructure is a pressing concern," it added.

Sudan: 2.2m people displaced by conflict, says UN

15 June 2023; MEMO: More than 2.2 million people have been displaced in Sudan since the outbreak of fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, Anadolu reported on Wednesday.

According to the International Organisation for Migration, the records show that 1,670,991 people have been displaced internally and 528,147 have fled to neighbouring countries.

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