Saudi Arabia

18 Dec 2022; MEMO: Saudi Arabia has called for a swift investigation into the killing of an Irish peacekeeper in southern Lebanon, reports Anadolu Agency.

A soldier with the UN peace mission UNIFIL was killed and three others injured when their vehicle came under fire in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

Lebanese media said a problem occurred between local residents and a UNIFIL patrol over the convoy's route, where gunshots were heard.

16 Dec 2022; MEMO: Saudi authorities have arrested 421 persons who are accused of trying to smuggle large quantities of drugs in four regions of the kingdom.

15 Dec 2022; MEMO: The UK and Saudi Arabia are to deepen military ties following the signing of a new defence co-operation plan earlier this week. Riyadh's Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman, who is the younger brother of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salam met with UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, in London to agree details of the plan.

15 Dec 2022; MEMO: Saudi's Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) and energy company ACWA Power have signed power purchase agreements to develop the largest solar energy plant in the Middle East, Reuters reports.

The 2,060 megawatt solar facility will be built in Al-Shuaibah, in the Makkah province, and is expected to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2025.

12 Dec 2022; MEMO: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are predicted to make a total of $15 billion annually by the year 2030 as they introduce policies to implement new "metaverse" technology within their respective economies.

RIYADH, Dec 12 (NNN-SPA) – The Saudi Arabian government and Chinese tech giant, Huawei, signed an ICT cooperation deal, aiming to fast-forward the kingdom’s digital transformation, the company announced yesterday.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was recently reached with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, said a Huawei statement.

10 Dec 2022; MEMO: In a step that raises the level of relations between the two countries, Saudi Arabia and China signed strategic agreements during the Chinese president's visit to Riyadh. The most prominent was an agreement with the Chinese technology giant Huawei, which is subjected to US restrictions.

RIYADH, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders on Friday that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan, a move that would support Beijing's goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar's grip on world trade.

Xi was speaking in Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted two "milestone" Arab summits with the Chinese leader which showcased the powerful prince's regional heft as he courts partnerships beyond close historic ties with the West.

RIYADH, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders on Friday that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan, a move that would support Beijing's goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar's grip on world trade.

Xi was speaking in Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted two "milestone" Arab summits with the Chinese leader which showcased the powerful prince's regional heft as he courts partnerships beyond close historic ties with the West.

08 Dec 2022; MEMO: Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, received President Xi Jinping on Thursday as the Chinese leader heralded "a new era" in Arab relations, with a lavish welcome signalling Riyadh's interest in deepening ties with Beijing, despite US wariness, Reuters reports.

Members of the Saudi Royal Guard riding Arabian horses and carrying Chinese and Saudi flags escorted Xi's car as it entered the Royal Palace in Riyadh, where Prince Mohammed, de facto ruler of the oil giant, greeted him with a warm smile.