Iran on Thursday welcomed a "change of tone" from Saudi Arabia that could clear the way to a new era of cooperation between the rival regional powers.

Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran have festered over the Yemen war, where an&nbsp;Iran-aligned group has increased attacks on Saudi Arabia even as the kingdom tried to lure foreign investment. Strains between the two Gulf powerhouses also grew after a 2019 assault on Saudi oil plants that Riyadh blamed on&nbsp;Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

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The Islamic republic has been "a pioneer on the path to regional cooperation and welcomes the change of tone from Saudi Arabia", said foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

While reiterating that Riyadh has a problem with&nbsp;Iran's "negative behaviour", Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had said in an interview aired late on Tuesday that Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia wanted a good relationship with Shi'ite&nbsp;Iran.

"We do not want for&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;to be in a difficult situation, on the contrary we want&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;to prosper and grow. We have interests in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and they have interests in the Kingdom to propel the region and the world to growth and prosperity," he said.

Khatibzadeh, in a statement, said that "by adopting constructive stances... the two countries... can enter a new chapter of interaction and cooperation to reach peace, stability and regional development, by overcoming differences".

The neighbouring countries, locked&nbsp;in a fierce struggle for regional&nbsp;dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric.

The Saudi crown prince has previously lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity.

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting was held on April 9.

An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions".

Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media, while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting it has "always welcomed" dialogue with Saudi Arabia.

The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden seeks to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels.

Iran supports the Huthi rebels, who are battling the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015.

The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities.

In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels.

A day later, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met the Yemeni rebel spokesman in Oman, reiterating Tehran's support for a ceasefire and a return to talks to end the country's conflict.

At the talks with Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian foreign ministry said.

On Thursday, Zarif tweeted of what he called "good signs" at the end of a Gulf tour.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran on Thursday welcomed a "change of tone" from Saudi Arabia that could clear the way to a new era of cooperation between the rival regional powers. Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran have festered over the Yemen war, where an Iran-aligned group has increased attacks on Saudi Arabia even as the kingdom tried to lure foreign investment.

Iran on Thursday welcomed a "change of tone" from Saudi Arabia that could clear the way to a new era of cooperation between the rival regional powers. Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran have festered over the Yemen war, where an Iran-aligned group has increased attacks on Saudi Arabia even as the kingdom tried to lure foreign investment. Strains between the two Gulf powerhouses also grew after a 2019 assault on Saudi oil plants that Riyadh blamed on Iran, a charge Tehran denies. The Islamic republic has been "a pioneer on the path to regional cooperation and welcomes the change of tone from Saudi Arabia", said foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. While reiterating that Riyadh has a problem with Iran's "negative behaviour", Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had said in an interview aired late on Tuesday that Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia wanted a good relationship with Shi'ite Iran. "We do not want for Iran to be in a difficult situation, on the contrary we want Iran to prosper and grow. We have interests in Iran and they have interests in the Kingdom to propel the region and the world to growth and prosperity," he said. Khatibzadeh, in a statement, said that "by adopting constructive stances... the two countries... can enter a new chapter of interaction and cooperation to reach peace, stability and regional development, by overcoming differences". The neighbouring countries, locked in a fierce struggle for regional dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric. The Saudi crown prince has previously lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity. The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting was held on April 9. An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions". Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media, while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting it has "always welcomed" dialogue with Saudi Arabia. The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden seeks to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels. Iran supports the Huthi rebels, who are battling the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015. The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities. In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels. A day later, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met the Yemeni rebel spokesman in Oman, reiterating Tehran's support for a ceasefire and a return to talks to end the country's conflict. At the talks with Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian foreign ministry said. On Thursday, Zarif tweeted of what he called "good signs" at the end of a Gulf tour. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran welcomes Saudi Arabia's 'change of tone', sees 'new era of cooperation'

Iran's foreign minister met the Yemeni rebel spokesman in Oman on Wednesday, reiterating Tehran's support for a ceasefire and a return to talks to end the country's long conflict.

Mohammad Javad Zarif's comments came a day after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose country leads a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government, called on the Huthis to stop fighting and enter peace negotiations.

At the talks with Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The foreign minister "emphasised our country's support for a ceasefire and Yemeni-Yemeni talks", it added.

Abdul Salam and other leaders of the Iranian-backed rebel movement live in exile in Muscat.&nbsp;

Several meetings have taken place in past years between&nbsp;Iran's chief diplomat and the Huthi spokesman in the Omani capital.&nbsp;

The war in Yemen, in which tens of thousands of people have been killed since the conflict erupted in 2014, has flared anew in the past two months with a rebel campaign to seize Marib city, the government's last stronghold in the north.

Saudi Arabia has proposed a "comprehensive" ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table, a proposal that the Huthis immediately rejected, saying a blockade on the country must first be lifted.

Riyadh accuses its arch-foe&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;of supporting the rebels with weapons and missiles and helping them build drones used to attack the kingdom.

Tehran denies the allegations and says its support for the Huthis is solely political.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Saudi crown prince struck a conciliatory tone in a television interview, saying he sought "good" relations with Tehran, after sources said the rivals had held secret talks in Baghdad.

"Iran&nbsp;is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with&nbsp;Iran," he said.

The two countries, locked&nbsp;in a struggle for regional&nbsp;dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric.

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, have been confirmed to AFP.

In his meeting with Abdul Salam, Zarif expressed regret over "the six-year imposed war on the people of Yemen, and called for ending the war and lifting" the Saudi-enforced blockade on the country.

Iran's foreign minister met the Yemeni rebel spokesman in Oman on Wednesday, reiterating Tehran's support for a ceasefire and a return to talks to end the country's long conflict.

Iran's foreign minister met the Yemeni rebel spokesman in Oman on Wednesday, reiterating Tehran's support for a ceasefire and a return to talks to end the country's long conflict. Mohammad Javad Zarif's comments came a day after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose country leads a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government, called on the Huthis to stop fighting and enter peace negotiations. At the talks with Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement. The foreign minister "emphasised our country's support for a ceasefire and Yemeni-Yemeni talks", it added. Abdul Salam and other leaders of the Iranian-backed rebel movement live in exile in Muscat. Several meetings have taken place in past years between Iran's chief diplomat and the Huthi spokesman in the Omani capital. The war in Yemen, in which tens of thousands of people have been killed since the conflict erupted in 2014, has flared anew in the past two months with a rebel campaign to seize Marib city, the government's last stronghold in the north. Saudi Arabia has proposed a "comprehensive" ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table, a proposal that the Huthis immediately rejected, saying a blockade on the country must first be lifted. Riyadh accuses its arch-foe Iran of supporting the rebels with weapons and missiles and helping them build drones used to attack the kingdom. Tehran denies the allegations and says its support for the Huthis is solely political. On Tuesday, the Saudi crown prince struck a conciliatory tone in a television interview, saying he sought "good" relations with Tehran, after sources said the rivals had held secret talks in Baghdad. "Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Iran," he said. The two countries, locked in a struggle for regional dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric. The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, have been confirmed to AFP. In his meeting with Abdul Salam, Zarif expressed regret over "the six-year imposed war on the people of Yemen, and called for ending the war and lifting" the Saudi-enforced blockade on the country.

Iran's Zarif backs Yemen ceasefire in talks with rebel leader

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that kingdom is in discussions with the leading global energy firm to sell 1 percent of state oil firm Saudi Aramco's share holding to boost its sales.

World Business Watch: Prince Salman says Saudi Arabia in talks to sell 1% stake in Aramco

Saudi&nbsp;Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve.

The kingdom's de facto ruler also said&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia would not accept any pressure or interference in its internal affairs.

President Joe Biden, who has said he would only speak with his&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;counterpart King Salman, has taken a tougher stand with Riyadh on its human rights record and the Yemen war than predecessor Donald Trump, who had strong ties with Prince Mohammed.

"We are more than 90 per cent&nbsp;in agreement with the Biden administration when it comes to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;and US&nbsp;interests and we are working to strengthen these interests," the prince said.

"The matters we disagree on represent less than 10 per cent&nbsp;and we are working to find solutions and understandings ... there is no doubt that the United States is a strategic partner," he added.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia is also building strategic partnerships with Russia, India and China, he said in an interview on&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;TV.

The Biden administration earlier this year released a US&nbsp;intelligence report implicating the crown prince in the 2018 murder of&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;journalist Jamal Khashoggi but spared him any direct punishment. The prince denies any involvement.

It has also withdrawn support for offensive operations by a&nbsp;Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

The conflict is seen as a proxy war between&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia and Iran which are locked in a rivalry for regional influence.

Prince Mohammed said his country wanted good ties with Iran, with which Riyadh severed diplomatic ties in 2016.

"Our problem is with Iran's negative behaviour," he said, mentioning Tehran's nuclear programme, missiles programme and support for proxies around the region.

"We are working with our regional and global partners to find solutions to these problems and we hope to overcome them for good relations that benefit everyone," he added.

Regional sources have said that&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;and Iranian officials held direct talks in Iraq this month aimed at easing tensions with discussions focused on Yemen and efforts to revive global powers' 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia supported Trump's decision in 2018 to quit the pact and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by breaching several nuclear restrictions.

Asked about Yemen, Prince Mohammed said no state wanted an armed militia along its borders and urged the Houthis to "sit at the negotiating table."

Riyadh last month presented a nationwide ceasefire proposal for Yemen but the Houthis have yet to accept it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve. The kingdom's de facto ruler also said Saudi Arabia would not accept any pressure or interference in its internal affairs. President Joe Biden, who has said he would only speak with his Saudi counterpart King Salman, has taken a tougher stand with Riyadh on its human rights record and the Yemen war than predecessor Donald Trump, who had strong ties with Prince Mohammed. "We are more than 90 per cent in agreement with the Biden administration when it comes to Saudi and US interests and we are working to strengthen these interests," the prince said. "The matters we disagree on represent less than 10 per cent and we are working to find solutions and understandings ... there is no doubt that the United States is a strategic partner," he added. Saudi Arabia is also building strategic partnerships with Russia, India and China, he said in an interview on Saudi TV. The Biden administration earlier this year released a US intelligence report implicating the crown prince in the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi but spared him any direct punishment. The prince denies any involvement. It has also withdrawn support for offensive operations by a Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The conflict is seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran which are locked in a rivalry for regional influence. Prince Mohammed said his country wanted good ties with Iran, with which Riyadh severed diplomatic ties in 2016. "Our problem is with Iran's negative behaviour," he said, mentioning Tehran's nuclear programme, missiles programme and support for proxies around the region. "We are working with our regional and global partners to find solutions to these problems and we hope to overcome them for good relations that benefit everyone," he added. Regional sources have said that Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks in Iraq this month aimed at easing tensions with discussions focused on Yemen and efforts to revive global powers' 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran. Saudi Arabia supported Trump's decision in 2018 to quit the pact and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by breaching several nuclear restrictions. Asked about Yemen, Prince Mohammed said no state wanted an armed militia along its borders and urged the Houthis to "sit at the negotiating table." Riyadh last month presented a nationwide ceasefire proposal for Yemen but the Houthis have yet to accept it. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia still has some differences with Biden administration, says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia announced Tuesday&nbsp;investments worth&nbsp;oil firm&nbsp;Aramco&nbsp;and petrochemical firm SABIC would lead investments of 5 trillion riyals ($1.3 trillion) by the local private sector by 2030 under a programme announced on Tuesday for economic diversification.

The announcement by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores an effort to jumpstart the domestic economy as the top crude exporter battles high youth unemployment and a coronavirus-triggered downturn.

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"The total investment injected... into the national economy is expected to reach 12 trillion riyals ($3.2 trillion) by 2030," Prince Mohammed said in a speech carried by state television.

The move aims to mobilise the Gulf Arab state's private sector to help wean the economy off its reliance on oil exports, which still account for more than half the state's income, and develop new sectors to help create jobs for millions of&nbsp;Saudis.

The total amount would rise to 27 trillion riyals with government spending and domestic consumption.

"The new Shareek (Partner) programme will help the private sector create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and will boost the contribution of the private sector to GDP by up to 65 per cent&nbsp;by the end of the decade," the prince said.

He later told journalists in a virtual briefing that&nbsp;Aramco&nbsp;and&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) would represent 60 per cent&nbsp;of the 5 trillion riyal investment.

Prince Mohammed said the government has asked the biggest participating firms to lower their dividends in order to raise capital spending.

"That will lead to growth of the company so stakeholders will own more money. In exchange the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;government will help them with regulations, more subsidies and other incentives."

The prince said dividends for those owning shares in&nbsp;Aramco, which listed on the local bourse in 2019, would remain stable.

"We promised them that and we will keep that promise," he said. The&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;government still owns 98 per cent&nbsp;of the firm.

The programme is part of a mammoth 27 trillion-riyal ($7 trillion) investment plan over the next decade, which will include huge government spending to spur the domestic economy, the prince said.

It is designed to "promote the development and diversification of the national economy", the state-run SPA news agency said, adding that it will "strengthen cooperation between public and private sectors".

The crown prince said the government planned to offload its shares in companies in coming years and to IPO projects it is launching.

"We will recycle the money. We shouldn't keep our shares forever. Whatever mature investment we have we have to IPO. So for example if you own 70 per cent&nbsp;of a company, PIF should maintain majority at 30 per cent&nbsp;and sell 40 per cent," he told journalists.

The prince has said that&nbsp;Aramco&nbsp;would sell more shares as part of plans to bolster sovereign wealth fund PIF, the main vehicle for boosting&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;investments at home and abroad.

The prince said on Tuesday that PIF is working with other sovereign wealth funds in the region on a fund called "Invest In&nbsp;Saudi" that would be sized at 500 billion riyals to 1 trillion riyals.

PIF is backing domestic mega-projects such as the flagship tourism project at the Red Sea, planned $500 billion Neom economic zone and the entertainment hub at Qiddya.

Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday investments worth oil firm Aramco and petrochemical firm SABIC would lead investments of 5 trillion riyals ($1.3 trillion) by the local private sector by 2030 under a programme announced on Tuesday for economic diversification.

Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday investments worth oil firm Aramco and petrochemical firm SABIC would lead investments of 5 trillion riyals ($1.3 trillion) by the local private sector by 2030 under a programme announced on Tuesday for economic diversification. The announcement by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores an effort to jumpstart the domestic economy as the top crude exporter battles high youth unemployment and a coronavirus-triggered downturn. "The total investment injected... into the national economy is expected to reach 12 trillion riyals ($3.2 trillion) by 2030," Prince Mohammed said in a speech carried by state television. The move aims to mobilise the Gulf Arab state's private sector to help wean the economy off its reliance on oil exports, which still account for more than half the state's income, and develop new sectors to help create jobs for millions of Saudis. The total amount would rise to 27 trillion riyals with government spending and domestic consumption. "The new Shareek (Partner) programme will help the private sector create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and will boost the contribution of the private sector to GDP by up to 65 per cent by the end of the decade," the prince said. He later told journalists in a virtual briefing that Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) would represent 60 per cent of the 5 trillion riyal investment. Prince Mohammed said the government has asked the biggest participating firms to lower their dividends in order to raise capital spending. "That will lead to growth of the company so stakeholders will own more money. In exchange the Saudi government will help them with regulations, more subsidies and other incentives." The prince said dividends for those owning shares in Aramco, which listed on the local bourse in 2019, would remain stable. "We promised them that and we will keep that promise," he said. The Saudi government still owns 98 per cent of the firm. The programme is part of a mammoth 27 trillion-riyal ($7 trillion) investment plan over the next decade, which will include huge government spending to spur the domestic economy, the prince said. It is designed to "promote the development and diversification of the national economy", the state-run SPA news agency said, adding that it will "strengthen cooperation between public and private sectors". The crown prince said the government planned to offload its shares in companies in coming years and to IPO projects it is launching. "We will recycle the money. We shouldn't keep our shares forever. Whatever mature investment we have we have to IPO. So for example if you own 70 per cent of a company, PIF should maintain majority at 30 per cent and sell 40 per cent," he told journalists. The prince has said that Aramco would sell more shares as part of plans to bolster sovereign wealth fund PIF, the main vehicle for boosting Saudi investments at home and abroad. The prince said on Tuesday that PIF is working with other sovereign wealth funds in the region on a fund called "Invest In Saudi" that would be sized at 500 billion riyals to 1 trillion riyals. PIF is backing domestic mega-projects such as the flagship tourism project at the Red Sea, planned $500 billion Neom economic zone and the entertainment hub at Qiddya.

Saudi Arabia announces $1.3 trillion investment for economic diversification

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Watch:

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The US State Department said that anti-dissident activities and operations must cease completely.

"We have urged Saudi Arabia to disband this group and then adopt institutional, systemic reforms and controls to ensure that anti-dissident activities and operations cease and cease completely," Ned Price, State Department spokesman said.

"We have made crystal clear -&nbsp;and will continue to do so -- that the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi 28 months ago remains unacceptable conduct," the State Department spokesman added.

The Biden administration had earlier imposed sanctions on the Rapid Intervention Force and had banned the entry of 76 Saudis under a new policy against foreign officials who harass dissidents.

The latest move by the US government comes after it released a report blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Khashoggi who was a Washington Post journalist was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 &nbsp;with his body cut into pieces which were never found.

In the report it said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Saudi Arabia, however, had dismissed the report calling it "negative, false and unacceptable".

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Watch: The US State Department said that anti-dissident activities and operations must cease completely. "We have urged Saudi Arabia to disband this group and then adopt institutional, systemic reforms and controls to ensure that anti-dissident activities and operations cease and cease completely," Ned Price, State Department spokesman said. "We have made crystal clear - and will continue to do so -- that the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi 28 months ago remains unacceptable conduct," the State Department spokesman added. The Biden administration had earlier imposed sanctions on the Rapid Intervention Force and had banned the entry of 76 Saudis under a new policy against foreign officials who harass dissidents. The latest move by the US government comes after it released a report blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi who was a Washington Post journalist was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 with his body cut into pieces which were never found. In the report it said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Saudi Arabia, however, had dismissed the report calling it "negative, false and unacceptable".

US urges Saudi Arabia to disband Rapid Intervention Force linked to Khashoggi murder

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement.

Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally."

Biden did not provide details.

But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected.

"The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said.

Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-bidens-challenges-in-west-asia-366693">US President Joe Biden's challenges in West Asia</a>

Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group.

Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

(With Reuters inputs)

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement. Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally." Biden did not provide details. But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected. "The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said. Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism. Also Read | US President Joe Biden's challenges in West Asia Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group. Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. (With Reuters inputs)

US to make announcement on Saudi Arabia on Monday

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said.&nbsp;

The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval.&nbsp;

It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-declassify-report-on-assassination-of-jamal-khashoggi-357888">Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi</a>

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces

The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force.

The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families.&nbsp;

As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted.&nbsp;

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement.

<h2>Saudi Arabia rejects findings</h2>

Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince&nbsp;

"The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

 
&nbsp;

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said. The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval. It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad." Also read | Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force. The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families. As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted. "We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement. Saudi Arabia rejects findings Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince "The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman's vision for 2030 is to move away from oil and&nbsp;fund giant infrastructural projects.

He&nbsp;has put the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund, at the centre of reforms aimed at diversifying the economy of the world’s top oil exporter away from fossil fuel.

Under the prince’s chairmanship, PIF has transformed from a sleepy sovereign wealth fund into a global investment vehicle making multi-billion-dollar bets on hi-tech companies such as Uber as well as other equity investments and pledging tens of billions of dollars to funds run by Japan’s Softbank.

The five-year mission aims to double the fund's assets to a mammoth one trillion dollars and&nbsp;move to create 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs.

The PIF’s finances are formidable. Its assets have swelled to $400 billion as of 2020 from $150 billion in 2015, with the fund bolstered by an expected $70 billion payday from Saudi Aramco, the state oil company, for PIF’s stake in a petrochemical giant and a $40 billion transfer from the central bank’s foreign reserves.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-rich-is-saudi-arabia-365766">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-rich-is-saudi-arabia-365766/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It was also the recipient of nearly $30 billion in proceeds from Aramco’s initial public offering in 2019.

Saudi Arabia is relying instead on the PIF to fund some of the major infrastructure projects to help boost growth, including NEOM, a $500 billion high-tech business zone, and the recently announced “The Line”, a 1 million inhabitants carbon-free city in NEOM, expected to cost between $100 billion and $200 billion.

PIF plans to inject at least 150 billion riyals ($40 billion) annually into the local economy until 2025, and to increase its assets to 4 trillion riyals ($1.07 trillion) by that date, Prince Mohammed has said.

Saudi Arabia is&nbsp;demystifying its finances. The kingdom is also working on creating a consolidated balance sheet of its assets and liabilities which will include items currently kept off the oil-rich economy’s books, including the investments and debts of its powerful sovereign wealth fund.

The country's&nbsp;economy is reeling from the pandemic and&nbsp;there are not enough jobs for the kingdom's young population.&nbsp;The government has been pushing through economic policies since 2016 aiming to create millions of jobs and reduce unemployment to 7 per cent&nbsp;by 2030.

The idea is to use the PIF&nbsp;to fund mega infrastructure projects and&nbsp;pump money into the local economy till 2025.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia needs the sovereign fund&nbsp;but not as much as oil. The kingdom still derives half of its income from liquid gold.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman's vision for 2030 is to move away from oil and fund giant infrastructural projects. He has put the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund, at the centre of reforms aimed at diversifying the economy of the world’s top oil exporter away from fossil fuel.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman's vision for 2030 is to move away from oil and fund giant infrastructural projects. He has put the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund, at the centre of reforms aimed at diversifying the economy of the world’s top oil exporter away from fossil fuel. Under the prince’s chairmanship, PIF has transformed from a sleepy sovereign wealth fund into a global investment vehicle making multi-billion-dollar bets on hi-tech companies such as Uber as well as other equity investments and pledging tens of billions of dollars to funds run by Japan’s Softbank. The five-year mission aims to double the fund's assets to a mammoth one trillion dollars and move to create 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs. The PIF’s finances are formidable. Its assets have swelled to $400 billion as of 2020 from $150 billion in 2015, with the fund bolstered by an expected $70 billion payday from Saudi Aramco, the state oil company, for PIF’s stake in a petrochemical giant and a $40 billion transfer from the central bank’s foreign reserves. WATCH| It was also the recipient of nearly $30 billion in proceeds from Aramco’s initial public offering in 2019. Saudi Arabia is relying instead on the PIF to fund some of the major infrastructure projects to help boost growth, including NEOM, a $500 billion high-tech business zone, and the recently announced “The Line”, a 1 million inhabitants carbon-free city in NEOM, expected to cost between $100 billion and $200 billion. PIF plans to inject at least 150 billion riyals ($40 billion) annually into the local economy until 2025, and to increase its assets to 4 trillion riyals ($1.07 trillion) by that date, Prince Mohammed has said. Saudi Arabia is demystifying its finances. The kingdom is also working on creating a consolidated balance sheet of its assets and liabilities which will include items currently kept off the oil-rich economy’s books, including the investments and debts of its powerful sovereign wealth fund. The country's economy is reeling from the pandemic and there are not enough jobs for the kingdom's young population. The government has been pushing through economic policies since 2016 aiming to create millions of jobs and reduce unemployment to 7 per cent by 2030. The idea is to use the PIF to fund mega infrastructure projects and pump money into the local economy till 2025. Saudi Arabia needs the sovereign fund but not as much as oil. The kingdom still derives half of its income from liquid gold.

How rich is Saudi Arabia? Kingdom wants to diversify its economy

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, reported Saudi state media. Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah extended gratitude to the Crown Prince for "keenness and continuous follow-up" to provide vaccines to citizens.

"Within the framework of Vision 2030, there is a policy of prevention is better than cure, which was represented by intensifying preventive measures, emphasising that human health is first, and providing safe and internationally approved vaccine in record time and providing it to citizens and residents. The Kingdom is one of the best countries in the world in facing the coronavirus pandemic," Al Arabiya news channel quoted al-Rabiah as saying.

Saudi Arabia received shipments of Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine earlier this month.

According to the Health Ministry of the kingdom, there are 3,61,903 COVID-19 cases in the country while 352,815 cases have recovered from the illness. So far, 6,168 have died due to the COVID-19 related complications.

The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was vaccinated on live television. Earlier this week, US President-elect Joe Biden had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

"Today, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible -- thank you. We owe you an awful lot," Biden had said in a tweet.

(With agency inputs)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, reported Saudi state media. Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah extended gratitude to the Crown Prince for "keenness and continuous follow-up" to provide vaccines to citizens.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, reported Saudi state media. Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah extended gratitude to the Crown Prince for "keenness and continuous follow-up" to provide vaccines to citizens. "Within the framework of Vision 2030, there is a policy of prevention is better than cure, which was represented by intensifying preventive measures, emphasising that human health is first, and providing safe and internationally approved vaccine in record time and providing it to citizens and residents. The Kingdom is one of the best countries in the world in facing the coronavirus pandemic," Al Arabiya news channel quoted al-Rabiah as saying. Saudi Arabia received shipments of Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine earlier this month. According to the Health Ministry of the kingdom, there are 3,61,903 COVID-19 cases in the country while 352,815 cases have recovered from the illness. So far, 6,168 have died due to the COVID-19 related complications. The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was vaccinated on live television. Earlier this week, US President-elect Joe Biden had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. "Today, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible -- thank you. We owe you an awful lot," Biden had said in a tweet. (With agency inputs)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine

Christmas has finally arrived in Saudi Arabia as glittery ornaments are being sold at streets of Riyadh.&nbsp;

This is happening in a country which has long been notorious for enforcing Islamic traditions and prohibiting western practices.&nbsp;

But now, the kingdom is embracing inter-religious exchange.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-begins-coronavirus-vaccination-campaign-350684">Saudi Arabia begins coronavirus vaccination campaign</a>

So, what's driving this transformation and what do ex-pats living in Saudi have to say about it? This report attempts to answer.&nbsp;

"I didn't ever imagine to see Christmas trees or decorations in Saudi. When I came and saw the Christmas tree which had an affordable price in comparison to its size, I was surprised," a Saudi woman said.&nbsp;

For decades, Christmas sales have largely been underground in Saudi Arabia and ex-pats from across the world had to celebrate the festival behind closed doors.&nbsp;

This is because the Arab kingdom has long considered all western practices as a deviation from Islam. Staunch conservatives have prohibited the public celebration of any foreign festival.&nbsp;

But things look slightly different this year as Christmas items are for sale at gifts across Riyadh.&nbsp;

And people from different nationalities are delighted to see the loosening of social restrictions.&nbsp;

"Before I didn't expect that, but now yes I expect that. When I first came here, it was very difficult to find some, many of my friends used to buy them from outside the country, from Lebanon or Syria, and they even used to bring it by land shipping and not by airplane because it wasn't easy to make it enter the country, Mary, Lebanese expat living in Riyadh, said.&nbsp;

"For now it's is good because now it's open to everybody, we can check, we can decorate, before we didn't used to do that. For now it's good, it's better for us and for everything," a Filipino ex-pat living in Riyadh said.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia has slowly been pushing for inter-religious exchange and in recent years it has hosted officials from the Vatican as well as Jewish figures.&nbsp;

Even textbooks that were once notorious for denouncing non-Muslims are undergoing revisions.&nbsp;

Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, is striving to steer the conservative kingdom towards an open and moderate Islam.&nbsp;

He is trying to curb the influence of the once-powerful religious police and opening up of Christmas shops is yet another step in the right direction.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Christmas has finally arrived in Saudi Arabia as glittery ornaments are being sold at streets of Riyadh. This is happening in a country which has long been notorious for enforcing Islamic traditions and prohibiting western practices.

Christmas has finally arrived in Saudi Arabia as glittery ornaments are being sold at streets of Riyadh. This is happening in a country which has long been notorious for enforcing Islamic traditions and prohibiting western practices. But now, the kingdom is embracing inter-religious exchange. Also read | Saudi Arabia begins coronavirus vaccination campaign So, what's driving this transformation and what do ex-pats living in Saudi have to say about it? This report attempts to answer. "I didn't ever imagine to see Christmas trees or decorations in Saudi. When I came and saw the Christmas tree which had an affordable price in comparison to its size, I was surprised," a Saudi woman said. For decades, Christmas sales have largely been underground in Saudi Arabia and ex-pats from across the world had to celebrate the festival behind closed doors. This is because the Arab kingdom has long considered all western practices as a deviation from Islam. Staunch conservatives have prohibited the public celebration of any foreign festival. But things look slightly different this year as Christmas items are for sale at gifts across Riyadh. And people from different nationalities are delighted to see the loosening of social restrictions. "Before I didn't expect that, but now yes I expect that. When I first came here, it was very difficult to find some, many of my friends used to buy them from outside the country, from Lebanon or Syria, and they even used to bring it by land shipping and not by airplane because it wasn't easy to make it enter the country, Mary, Lebanese expat living in Riyadh, said. "For now it's is good because now it's open to everybody, we can check, we can decorate, before we didn't used to do that. For now it's good, it's better for us and for everything," a Filipino ex-pat living in Riyadh said. Saudi Arabia has slowly been pushing for inter-religious exchange and in recent years it has hosted officials from the Vatican as well as Jewish figures. Even textbooks that were once notorious for denouncing non-Muslims are undergoing revisions. Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, is striving to steer the conservative kingdom towards an open and moderate Islam. He is trying to curb the influence of the once-powerful religious police and opening up of Christmas shops is yet another step in the right direction.

As Christmas shopping begins in Saudi Arabia, is the Kingdom heading towards a change?

Few days before Donald Trump leaves office, the United States is considering granting Saudi Crown Prince and Donald Trump long time ally Mohammed bin Salman legal immunity.

WION Dispatch: Reports claim, 'U.S. mulls legal immunity for Saudi Arabia's prince Mohammed bin Salman'

Saudi Arabia has taken multiple steps to polish its tarnished image in advance of this weekend’s hosting of the virtual summit of the G20 that groups the world’s foremost economies and in anticipation of an incoming Biden administration in the United States that is expected to be critical of Riyadh and potentially more conciliatory towards Iran and non-violent Islamists.

The initiatives target the US and European criticism of the five-year-old war in Yemen that has produced one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises and concerns the Biden administration may adopt less Saudi and United Arab Emirates-centric policies than its predecessor headed by Donald J. Trump.

The steps further seek to project Saudi Arabia as being helpful in normalizing relations between Israel and the Muslim world even if it is not yet ready to do so itself and build links with Democrats in Washington as they prepare to take office in January.

Like other countries that fear a Biden administration may be less friendly than its predecessor, Saudi Arabia is looking for Washington PR and lobbying firms that can get it access to the president-elect and his entourage.

Saudi officials and Saudis close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are counting on the fact that despite criticism US President-elect Joe Biden sees Saudi Arabia in line with long-standing US policy as a crucial partner. “I am very confident that will continue,” said Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan.

The kingdom, betting that the Biden administration would accept that Saudi Arabia as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, would recognize Israel only once recognition was more widely accepted in the Muslim world, has sought to curry favour by pressuring others to normalize relations with the Jewish state.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan charged last week that the United States and another unidentified country were pressing him to establish diplomatic relations. Pakistani and Israeli media named Saudi Arabia as an unidentified country.&nbsp;

Representing the world’s third most populous Muslim nation, Pakistani recognition, following in the footsteps of the UAE and Bahrain, would be significant.

Missing from the Saudi menu is any effort to fend off criticism of the kingdom’s problematic human rights record. In fact, senior Saudi figures signalled that the kingdom was unlikely to bow to demands for the release of detained activists, clerics, and professionals and transparency on the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in response to Mr. Biden’s insistence that he would restore human rights as an important element of US foreign policy.

Former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to London and Washington Prince Turki Al Faisal suggested that the absence of human rights in the kingdom’s efforts was no coincidence.

Addressing an American audience this week, Prince Turki said: “As far as human rights is concerned, we admit that we have issues to improve and we’re working on that. It is a work in progress. But respectfully, your country also has issues of human rights to improve upon. Witness the turmoil during your elections and the police shootings. We did not…invent waterboarding. Your issues are also a work in progress… Your elections are a wonderful spectacle from which we can learn. They also include elements which we will not learn.”

To drive the point home, a Saudi human rights group asserted this week that Khaled al-Oudeh, a brother of prominent cleric Salman al-Oudeh, who has been held in prison since 2017 and potentially faces the death penalty, had been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of "inciting sedition and destabilising security."

The Saudi Council of Senior Scholars last week, in the first official statement from the kingdom since Saudi Arabia and the UAE banned the group in 2014, labelled the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. The council said the group did not represent Islam, seeks “to grab the reins of power,” wreaks havoc, and commits “violence and terrorism.”

The council’s statement came as France and Austria were cracking down on Islamist groups, including the Brotherhood. The crackdown was in response to several attacks in Europe, including the gruesome murder of a French schoolteacher.

The statement, implicitly calling into question Saudi Arabia’s alliance in the Yemen war with Al-Islah, a Yemeni party aligned with the Brotherhood, came as the kingdom said it would honour a ceasefire if the Houthi rebels accepted a buffer zone along the Saudi-Yemeni border. The offer was designed to show that the kingdom was seeking a way out of the quagmire.

At the same time, Saudi authorities have stopped just short of blaming the Brotherhood for recent attacks on the French consulate in Jeddah, the Saudi embassy in The Hague and a French-sponsored World War One commemoration at a cemetery in the Red Sea port city, the first attack with explosives in years targeting foreigners in the kingdom.

The kingdom and the UAE fear that "Democrats can (re)create an atmosphere that enables the rise of the Brotherhood in the Sunni world like a decade ago. This is, in my view, what they see as a threat similar to the threat from Iran, if not a bigger one," said Eran Segal, a research fellow at the Ezri Center for Iran &amp; Gulf States research at the University of Haifa.

Mr. Segal was referring to former US President Barak Obama’s support for elections in Egypt and Tunisia in 2012 in the wake of the 2011 popular revolt that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his Tunisian counterpart, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, longstanding US allies, despite the likelihood of Brotherhood electoral victories.

In Egypt, the victor, Mohammed Morsi, a Brotherhood leader, was removed from the presidency a year later in a UAE and Saudi-backed military coup that brought general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to power.

Saudi Arabia’s G-20 presidency has sparked discussion on what the best approach to the kingdom would be: criticism and boycott or engagement. It is a debate that also confronts the incoming Biden administration.

The mayors of London, New York, Los Angeles, and Paris boycotted in September a G20 summit of urban leaders. Members of the European Parliament and the US Congress have called on European leaders and Mr Trump to not participate in this weekend’s summit.

It is an approach that David Rundell a US foreign service officer who served half of his 30-year career in the kingdom argues is doomed to failure. "Saudi Arabia needs encouragement for its economic reforms as well as in addressing its human rights record," Mr Rundell said, advocating greater engagement with rather than isolation of the kingdom.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do&nbsp;not represent the views of&nbsp;WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse&nbsp;the views of the writer)

Saudi Arabia has taken multiple steps to polish its tarnished image in advance of this weekend’s hosting of the virtual summit of the G20 that groups the world’s foremost economies and in anticipation of an incoming Biden administration in the United States that is expected to be critical of Riyadh and potentially more conciliatory towards Iran and non-violent Islamists.

Saudi Arabia has taken multiple steps to polish its tarnished image in advance of this weekend’s hosting of the virtual summit of the G20 that groups the world’s foremost economies and in anticipation of an incoming Biden administration in the United States that is expected to be critical of Riyadh and potentially more conciliatory towards Iran and non-violent Islamists. The initiatives target the US and European criticism of the five-year-old war in Yemen that has produced one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises and concerns the Biden administration may adopt less Saudi and United Arab Emirates-centric policies than its predecessor headed by Donald J. Trump. The steps further seek to project Saudi Arabia as being helpful in normalizing relations between Israel and the Muslim world even if it is not yet ready to do so itself and build links with Democrats in Washington as they prepare to take office in January. Like other countries that fear a Biden administration may be less friendly than its predecessor, Saudi Arabia is looking for Washington PR and lobbying firms that can get it access to the president-elect and his entourage. Saudi officials and Saudis close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are counting on the fact that despite criticism US President-elect Joe Biden sees Saudi Arabia in line with long-standing US policy as a crucial partner. “I am very confident that will continue,” said Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan. The kingdom, betting that the Biden administration would accept that Saudi Arabia as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, would recognize Israel only once recognition was more widely accepted in the Muslim world, has sought to curry favour by pressuring others to normalize relations with the Jewish state. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan charged last week that the United States and another unidentified country were pressing him to establish diplomatic relations. Pakistani and Israeli media named Saudi Arabia as an unidentified country. Representing the world’s third most populous Muslim nation, Pakistani recognition, following in the footsteps of the UAE and Bahrain, would be significant. Missing from the Saudi menu is any effort to fend off criticism of the kingdom’s problematic human rights record. In fact, senior Saudi figures signalled that the kingdom was unlikely to bow to demands for the release of detained activists, clerics, and professionals and transparency on the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in response to Mr. Biden’s insistence that he would restore human rights as an important element of US foreign policy. Former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to London and Washington Prince Turki Al Faisal suggested that the absence of human rights in the kingdom’s efforts was no coincidence. Addressing an American audience this week, Prince Turki said: “As far as human rights is concerned, we admit that we have issues to improve and we’re working on that. It is a work in progress. But respectfully, your country also has issues of human rights to improve upon. Witness the turmoil during your elections and the police shootings. We did not…invent waterboarding. Your issues are also a work in progress… Your elections are a wonderful spectacle from which we can learn. They also include elements which we will not learn.” To drive the point home, a Saudi human rights group asserted this week that Khaled al-Oudeh, a brother of prominent cleric Salman al-Oudeh, who has been held in prison since 2017 and potentially faces the death penalty, had been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of "inciting sedition and destabilising security." The Saudi Council of Senior Scholars last week, in the first official statement from the kingdom since Saudi Arabia and the UAE banned the group in 2014, labelled the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. The council said the group did not represent Islam, seeks “to grab the reins of power,” wreaks havoc, and commits “violence and terrorism.” The council’s statement came as France and Austria were cracking down on Islamist groups, including the Brotherhood. The crackdown was in response to several attacks in Europe, including the gruesome murder of a French schoolteacher. The statement, implicitly calling into question Saudi Arabia’s alliance in the Yemen war with Al-Islah, a Yemeni party aligned with the Brotherhood, came as the kingdom said it would honour a ceasefire if the Houthi rebels accepted a buffer zone along the Saudi-Yemeni border. The offer was designed to show that the kingdom was seeking a way out of the quagmire. At the same time, Saudi authorities have stopped just short of blaming the Brotherhood for recent attacks on the French consulate in Jeddah, the Saudi embassy in The Hague and a French-sponsored World War One commemoration at a cemetery in the Red Sea port city, the first attack with explosives in years targeting foreigners in the kingdom. The kingdom and the UAE fear that "Democrats can (re)create an atmosphere that enables the rise of the Brotherhood in the Sunni world like a decade ago. This is, in my view, what they see as a threat similar to the threat from Iran, if not a bigger one," said Eran Segal, a research fellow at the Ezri Center for Iran & Gulf States research at the University of Haifa. Mr. Segal was referring to former US President Barak Obama’s support for elections in Egypt and Tunisia in 2012 in the wake of the 2011 popular revolt that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his Tunisian counterpart, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, longstanding US allies, despite the likelihood of Brotherhood electoral victories. In Egypt, the victor, Mohammed Morsi, a Brotherhood leader, was removed from the presidency a year later in a UAE and Saudi-backed military coup that brought general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to power. Saudi Arabia’s G-20 presidency has sparked discussion on what the best approach to the kingdom would be: criticism and boycott or engagement. It is a debate that also confronts the incoming Biden administration. The mayors of London, New York, Los Angeles, and Paris boycotted in September a G20 summit of urban leaders. Members of the European Parliament and the US Congress have called on European leaders and Mr Trump to not participate in this weekend’s summit. It is an approach that David Rundell a US foreign service officer who served half of his 30-year career in the kingdom argues is doomed to failure. "Saudi Arabia needs encouragement for its economic reforms as well as in addressing its human rights record," Mr Rundell said, advocating greater engagement with rather than isolation of the kingdom. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Saudi rushes to improve its image in advance of G20 and Biden

David Rundell brings to his book, Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads (IB Tauris, 2020), a granular analysis and insider’s understanding of the inner workings of the kingdom garnered as a US foreign service officer who served a total of 15 years in the country.

Rundell skilfully weaves history into a multi-layered portrait of the transformation for good and bad that Saudi Arabia is experiencing under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

<img alt="Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8a389bf0-0447-4129-9355-42cc7ea54903" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vision.jpg" />

The former diplomat illustrates Salman’s long-standing focus on combatting corruption with the picture he paints of his governing of the Saudi capital Riyadh for nearly five decades before ascending to the throne.

Anti-corruption has played a dramatic role since Salman became king in solidifying and concentrating power in the kingdom and breaking with a past of slow and gradual change, introducing instead rapid reforms with little consultation.

To do so, Salman picked his son, Mohammed, as crown prince because he saw in him a bulldozer with the needed ambition, drive, and ruthlessness to undermine traditional pillars of support of the Saudi system like elite cohesion and the maintenance of rival armed forces.

Elite cohesion was disrupted by disenfranchising or subjugating key elements of the Saudi power structure, including significant segments of the bloated ruling Al Saud family and the religious establishment, that would have likely slowed down or opposed reforms that would enable economic diversification and a reduction of the kingdom’s dependence on oil exports.

In doing so, Rundell argues that Salman may have made Saudi Arabia less stable country in which absolute political and military power has been concentrated in the hands of one man and a population that is in majority young and aspires for greater transparency and accountability.

Identifying a defeat in the war in Yemen or a failure to make good on promises of job creation as potential catalysts of resistance to the rule of the Salmans, Rundell warns that any organized opposition would be cloaked in the mantle of religious ultra-conservatism rather than concepts of secularism or democracy.

In the ultimate analysis, Rundell has produced one of the most historically grounded and informed evaluations of the significant change Saudi Arabia is experiencing and the prospects and pitfalls of far-reaching of social and economic reforms while severely curtailing political rights.

The curtailing, mass arrests of religious and more secular activists, and the killing in 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul have already cost the kingdom dearly in terms of its reputation, complicating its diplomatic relations with the West at a time of a global economic downturn.

Rundell’s book constitutes a major contribution to mushrooming literature on Saudi Arabia, a country that has long been and in many ways still is cloaked in secrecy.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do&nbsp;not represent the views of&nbsp;WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse&nbsp;the views of the writer)

David Rundell brings to his book, Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads (IB Tauris, 2020), a granular analysis and insider’s understanding of the inner workings of the kingdom garnered as a US foreign service officer who served a total of 15 years in the country.

David Rundell brings to his book, Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads (IB Tauris, 2020), a granular analysis and insider’s understanding of the inner workings of the kingdom garnered as a US foreign service officer who served a total of 15 years in the country. Rundell skilfully weaves history into a multi-layered portrait of the transformation for good and bad that Saudi Arabia is experiencing under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The former diplomat illustrates Salman’s long-standing focus on combatting corruption with the picture he paints of his governing of the Saudi capital Riyadh for nearly five decades before ascending to the throne. Anti-corruption has played a dramatic role since Salman became king in solidifying and concentrating power in the kingdom and breaking with a past of slow and gradual change, introducing instead rapid reforms with little consultation. To do so, Salman picked his son, Mohammed, as crown prince because he saw in him a bulldozer with the needed ambition, drive, and ruthlessness to undermine traditional pillars of support of the Saudi system like elite cohesion and the maintenance of rival armed forces. Elite cohesion was disrupted by disenfranchising or subjugating key elements of the Saudi power structure, including significant segments of the bloated ruling Al Saud family and the religious establishment, that would have likely slowed down or opposed reforms that would enable economic diversification and a reduction of the kingdom’s dependence on oil exports. In doing so, Rundell argues that Salman may have made Saudi Arabia less stable country in which absolute political and military power has been concentrated in the hands of one man and a population that is in majority young and aspires for greater transparency and accountability. Identifying a defeat in the war in Yemen or a failure to make good on promises of job creation as potential catalysts of resistance to the rule of the Salmans, Rundell warns that any organized opposition would be cloaked in the mantle of religious ultra-conservatism rather than concepts of secularism or democracy. In the ultimate analysis, Rundell has produced one of the most historically grounded and informed evaluations of the significant change Saudi Arabia is experiencing and the prospects and pitfalls of far-reaching of social and economic reforms while severely curtailing political rights. The curtailing, mass arrests of religious and more secular activists, and the killing in 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul have already cost the kingdom dearly in terms of its reputation, complicating its diplomatic relations with the West at a time of a global economic downturn. Rundell’s book constitutes a major contribution to mushrooming literature on Saudi Arabia, a country that has long been and in many ways still is cloaked in secrecy. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Vision or mirage: Saudi Arabia at the crossroads

Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected Israeli media reports that claimed of talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&nbsp;

"I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo," wrote Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a tweet.

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I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a>. No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi.
— فيصل بن فرحان (@FaisalbinFarhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaisalbinFarhan/status/1330858232680734723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi."

Earlier, Israeli public broadcaster Kan said on Monday Netanyahu held secret talks with the crown prince in the former's first trip to the kingdom.&nbsp;

The report also said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also present in the meeting.&nbsp;

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Citing unnamed sources, Kan claimed Netanyahu was accompanied by the chief of Mossad spy agency, Yossi Cohen, and the duo "flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met Pompeo and MBS in the city of Neom".&nbsp;

Netanyahu's office has not immediately commented on the reports and the US State Department also refused to shed any lights on the developments.&nbsp;

The report led to a wide range of speculations on Israel's recognition by the Arab world as Bahrain, UAF recently struck peace accords with Israel that were brokered by the US.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-netanyahu-meet-the-saudi-crown-prince-344973">WATCH|</a>

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Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected Israeli media reports that claimed of talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo," wrote Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a tweet.

Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected Israeli media reports that claimed of talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo," wrote Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a tweet. I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo. No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi. — فيصل بن فرحان (@FaisalbinFarhan) November 23, 2020 × "No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi." Earlier, Israeli public broadcaster Kan said on Monday Netanyahu held secret talks with the crown prince in the former's first trip to the kingdom. The report also said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also present in the meeting. × Citing unnamed sources, Kan claimed Netanyahu was accompanied by the chief of Mossad spy agency, Yossi Cohen, and the duo "flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met Pompeo and MBS in the city of Neom". Netanyahu's office has not immediately commented on the reports and the US State Department also refused to shed any lights on the developments. The report led to a wide range of speculations on Israel's recognition by the Arab world as Bahrain, UAF recently struck peace accords with Israel that were brokered by the US. WATCH| ×

Saudi denies reports of talks between Crown Prince Salman and Netanyahu

Saudi Arabia's&nbsp;Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday warned an&nbsp;"iron fist" response to extremists&nbsp;threatening its security.

Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, warned those seeking to carry out jihadist acts of a "painful and severe punishment".

It comes after the&nbsp;Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bomb blast that struck a World War I commemoration at a non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah on Wednesday, just two weeks after a guard at the French consulate in the Red Sea city was wounded by a knife-wielding Saudi citizen.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-group-claims-responsibility-for-saudi-cemetery-attack-342740" hreflang="en">Islamic State group claims responsibility for Saudi cemetery attack</a>

The attacks, which underscore Muslim fury over French satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, come as Saudi Arabia prepares for the G20 leaders' summit later this month,&nbsp;the first to be hosted by an Arab nation.

Wednesday's attack occurred two weeks after a Saudi man wounded a security guard at the French consulate in Jeddah with what has been described as a "sharp tool" and after recent Islamist militant attacks in France and Austria.

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Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is committed to confronting extremism and rejects and condemns all terrorist acts.

He said actual terror attacks in the kingdom, the world's top oil exporter and a key US&nbsp;ally, had "fallen to near-zero" following a restructuring of the interior ministry and reforming of the security sector that began in mid-2017.

Prince Mohammed, who pledged in 2017 to return Saudi Arabia to an "open, moderate Islam", has sought&nbsp;to roll back the influence of the ultra-conservative religious establishment.

The prince also said the kingdom would continue to combat corruption after the state recovered 247 billion riyals ($65.86 billion) in settlements in addition to assets worth tens of billions of riyals in the past three years.

The heir to the Saudi throne has curbed the influence of the once-powerful religious police, as he permits mixed-gender music concerts, cinemas, and other entertainment options that appeal to a majority young population.

But simultaneously, the prince has launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent and free speech, arresting women activists, clerics, and journalists as well as royal family members.

In January 2019 Saudi Arabia ended a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in which many members of the kingdom's economic and political elite were detained.

Critics saw the crackdown as a power grab by the crown prince, who has moved to sideline any rivals to his eventual succession to the throne. Prince Mohammed has defended the campaign as "shock therapy" as he tries to overhaul the economy.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday warned an "iron fist" response to extremists threatening its security. Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, warned those seeking to carry out jihadist acts of a "painful and severe punishment".

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday warned an "iron fist" response to extremists threatening its security. Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, warned those seeking to carry out jihadist acts of a "painful and severe punishment". It comes after the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bomb blast that struck a World War I commemoration at a non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah on Wednesday, just two weeks after a guard at the French consulate in the Red Sea city was wounded by a knife-wielding Saudi citizen. Also read: Islamic State group claims responsibility for Saudi cemetery attack The attacks, which underscore Muslim fury over French satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, come as Saudi Arabia prepares for the G20 leaders' summit later this month, the first to be hosted by an Arab nation. Wednesday's attack occurred two weeks after a Saudi man wounded a security guard at the French consulate in Jeddah with what has been described as a "sharp tool" and after recent Islamist militant attacks in France and Austria. × Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is committed to confronting extremism and rejects and condemns all terrorist acts. He said actual terror attacks in the kingdom, the world's top oil exporter and a key US ally, had "fallen to near-zero" following a restructuring of the interior ministry and reforming of the security sector that began in mid-2017. Prince Mohammed, who pledged in 2017 to return Saudi Arabia to an "open, moderate Islam", has sought to roll back the influence of the ultra-conservative religious establishment. The prince also said the kingdom would continue to combat corruption after the state recovered 247 billion riyals ($65.86 billion) in settlements in addition to assets worth tens of billions of riyals in the past three years. The heir to the Saudi throne has curbed the influence of the once-powerful religious police, as he permits mixed-gender music concerts, cinemas, and other entertainment options that appeal to a majority young population. But simultaneously, the prince has launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent and free speech, arresting women activists, clerics, and journalists as well as royal family members. In January 2019 Saudi Arabia ended a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in which many members of the kingdom's economic and political elite were detained. Critics saw the crackdown as a power grab by the crown prince, who has moved to sideline any rivals to his eventual succession to the throne. Prince Mohammed has defended the campaign as "shock therapy" as he tries to overhaul the economy.

Saudi Arabia warns 'iron fist' response to extremists threatening its security

The fiancee of journalist Jamal&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-pleads-premier-league-to-block-saudi-takeover-295194">Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover</a>

The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of&nbsp;Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues.

The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS'&nbsp;has denied ordering&nbsp;Khashoggi's murder.

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Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen.

Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by&nbsp;Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US&nbsp;District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed.

The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr.&nbsp;Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights."

A lawsuit was filed in August in a US&nbsp;court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile.

Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago. Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group Khashoggi formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer. Also read: Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues. The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS' has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder. Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen. Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed. The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr. Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights." A lawsuit was filed in August in a US court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile. Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

Jamal Khashoggi: Journalist's fiancee sues Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday (Sept. 23) called for a comprehensive solution on Iran and disarming its affiliate Hezbollah in Lebanon, and expressed support for U.S. efforts to start talks between Israel and the Palestinians during his first address to the United Nations General Assembly.

Saudi's King Salman slams Iran at the UN General Assembly 2020

Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has returned empty-handed from Saudi Arabia.

The Pakistan general had flown to Riyadh on Sunday along with&nbsp;ISI chief General Faiz Hameed. They wanted to smoothen the straining Pak-Saudi ties and secure Pakistan's place in the Islamic brotherhood club.

However, the duo got a royal snub and a load of embarrassment.

Their visit to Saudi Arabia was an epic failure. According to reports, the Pakistan Army chief couldn't even secure a meeting with the Saudi crown prince Mohamed bin Salman who did not give him an audience.

General Bajwa was to be given a medal&nbsp;but the Saudis changed their mind and all he got was a meeting with the crown prince's younger brother Sheikh Khalid bin Salman, the deputy defence minister of Saudi Arabia and Major General Fayyad Ali Ruwaili, the Kingdom's chief of staff.

General Bajwa's interaction was limited to the Saudi defence establishment. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is famous for meeting his guests in his own flamboyant ways, last year he had awarded a grand reception to General Bajwa in Riyadh.

However, Imran Khan's obsession with Kashmir has ruined his ties with the crown prince. His government has always relied on the Kashmir narrative to stay in power. Now, the same narrative has cast a shadow on Pakistan's foreign policy. It is hurting its business dealings with most Islamic countries and Saudi Arabia is not just any Islamic country - it is the de facto leader of the Islamic world.

Saudi Arabia is also the religious and financial master of Pakistan. Islamabad owes billions of dollars in loans to Riyadh. However, the Pakistan foreign minister was not quite in touch with reality as he let his emotions take control and crossed the red line. His statement has become one of the flashpoints of the Saudi-Pakistan breakup.

On Tuesday, there were reports that Pakistan's foreign minister was set to be sacked. In his frustration, Qureshi slapped the prime minister's principal secretary. Now with General Bajwa returning empty-handed from Saudi Arabia, Qureshi's position has become untenable.

Pakistan's rift with Saudi Arabia is a major setback to them and part of the credit goes to India. It is the first time in the history of India-Arab ties that they are backing India on Kashmir against Pakistan despite Pakistan's best efforts, the Organisation of Islamic Countries(OIC) has refused to censure India.

In fact, they have honoured the Indian prime minister with their highest civilian medal&nbsp;and also boosted trade ties with India which is a significant shift.

A major geopolitical realignment is taking place in West Asia. The most telling example was seen last week with the normalisation of the relations between UAE and Israel. India is a close strategic partner of both countries. India first dehyphenated Israel and Palestine, now the UAE has followed suit.

Imran Khan's frustration is evident. India is also a close trade and energy partner of Saudi Arabia and home to over than 180 million Muslims which is the second-highest population in the world.

Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has returned empty-handed from Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan general had flown to Riyadh on Sunday along with ISI chief General Faiz Hameed.

Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has returned empty-handed from Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan general had flown to Riyadh on Sunday along with ISI chief General Faiz Hameed. They wanted to smoothen the straining Pak-Saudi ties and secure Pakistan's place in the Islamic brotherhood club. However, the duo got a royal snub and a load of embarrassment. Their visit to Saudi Arabia was an epic failure. According to reports, the Pakistan Army chief couldn't even secure a meeting with the Saudi crown prince Mohamed bin Salman who did not give him an audience. General Bajwa was to be given a medal but the Saudis changed their mind and all he got was a meeting with the crown prince's younger brother Sheikh Khalid bin Salman, the deputy defence minister of Saudi Arabia and Major General Fayyad Ali Ruwaili, the Kingdom's chief of staff. General Bajwa's interaction was limited to the Saudi defence establishment. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is famous for meeting his guests in his own flamboyant ways, last year he had awarded a grand reception to General Bajwa in Riyadh. However, Imran Khan's obsession with Kashmir has ruined his ties with the crown prince. His government has always relied on the Kashmir narrative to stay in power. Now, the same narrative has cast a shadow on Pakistan's foreign policy. It is hurting its business dealings with most Islamic countries and Saudi Arabia is not just any Islamic country - it is the de facto leader of the Islamic world. Saudi Arabia is also the religious and financial master of Pakistan. Islamabad owes billions of dollars in loans to Riyadh. However, the Pakistan foreign minister was not quite in touch with reality as he let his emotions take control and crossed the red line. His statement has become one of the flashpoints of the Saudi-Pakistan breakup. On Tuesday, there were reports that Pakistan's foreign minister was set to be sacked. In his frustration, Qureshi slapped the prime minister's principal secretary. Now with General Bajwa returning empty-handed from Saudi Arabia, Qureshi's position has become untenable. Pakistan's rift with Saudi Arabia is a major setback to them and part of the credit goes to India. It is the first time in the history of India-Arab ties that they are backing India on Kashmir against Pakistan despite Pakistan's best efforts, the Organisation of Islamic Countries(OIC) has refused to censure India. In fact, they have honoured the Indian prime minister with their highest civilian medal and also boosted trade ties with India which is a significant shift. A major geopolitical realignment is taking place in West Asia. The most telling example was seen last week with the normalisation of the relations between UAE and Israel. India is a close strategic partner of both countries. India first dehyphenated Israel and Palestine, now the UAE has followed suit. Imran Khan's frustration is evident. India is also a close trade and energy partner of Saudi Arabia and home to over than 180 million Muslims which is the second-highest population in the world.

Saudi Arabia snubs General Bajwa, no meeting with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey.

Ex-Saudi spy Saad Aljabri accuses crown prince of trying to assassinate him

It's always better to serve one master at a time. If you start serving two, you are inviting trouble.

This is a lesson from the Bible and Pakistan has started to learn it finally.&nbsp;

The Imran Khan government made itself a slave of money by two masters: Saudi Arabia, its religious master with oil money and China, the mastermind with deep pockets.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Pakistan has borrowed billions of dollars from both these nations.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-approves-most-expensive-china-aided-project-to-date-318443">Pakistan approves most expensive China-aided project to date</a>

China's debt-trap diplomacy is well-known, but what about Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Islamabad secured a $3 billion loan from Riyadh in October 2018, assuming that they would not be asked to pay back.&nbsp;

The Pakistani PM tried hard to ensure this and even played chauffeur for the Saudi crown prince.&nbsp;

Earlier today, it was announced in Pakistani media that Islamabad has paid back $1 billion.&nbsp;

However, the Pakistani media has not put it correctly, and, in fact, Riyadh has forced it to pay.

This payback was due for a long time and let's just look at what really happened.

Ever since he came to power, Khan has been obsessed with Kashmir. Repeatedly, Khan has allowed this obsession to dominate Pakistan's foreign policy.&nbsp;

In February, Khan consistently pushed Saudi Arabia for the Organisation of Islamic Countries' (OIC) meeting on Kashmir. Saudi Arabia is the de facto leader of OIC and it refused to slam India on Kashmir.&nbsp;

The prime minister went all the way to Malaysia and said: "OIC can't come together on Kashmir, we are divided, we have no voice".&nbsp;

This tone of Imran was not appreciated by Saudi Arabia. Riyadh's message was clear: Domestic political narratives cannot drive foreign policy.&nbsp;

It has been a while since this episode and the world faced the pandemic in between.&nbsp;

But it seems that the Pakistani PM has not moved on and is once again asking Saudis to convene a meeting of Islamic countries on Kashmir.&nbsp;

Recently, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: "OIC's leadership should stay away from this attitude of being careful and if they can't do this, then our prime minister will call the meeting".

These are strong words spoken by a country that is surviving on loans from Saudi Arabia.

Another question that remains is how did Pakistan afford to pay back a billion dollars, during a pandemic and when its economy is on a downfall.&nbsp;

The answer is China.

A Pakistani newspaper said, "Pakistan's time-tested friend, China, has immediately come forward and extended $1 billion in loan to help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline."

China's modus operandi is this policy, give with one hand and take away with the other.&nbsp;

And once again China managed to do this.&nbsp;

At least 24 hours before China helped Pakistan with this aid, Pakistan's top economic body approved its costliest project ever: CPEC, a $6.8 billion project to upgrade Pakistan's railway lines.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Pakistan's entire developmental budget this financial year was $7.9 billion.

China's time-tested friendship has been a costly affair for Pakistan.

The harsh reality for Pakistan is that its obsession with Kashmir and attempts to please China has impacted its support from the Islamic world.&nbsp;

Imran Khan can drive all he likes, but he can't take the world for a ride.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It's always better to serve one master at a time. If you start serving two, you are inviting trouble. This is a lesson from the Bible and Pakistan has started to learn it finally.

It's always better to serve one master at a time. If you start serving two, you are inviting trouble. This is a lesson from the Bible and Pakistan has started to learn it finally. The Imran Khan government made itself a slave of money by two masters: Saudi Arabia, its religious master with oil money and China, the mastermind with deep pockets. Watch | Pakistan has borrowed billions of dollars from both these nations. Also read | Pakistan approves most expensive China-aided project to date China's debt-trap diplomacy is well-known, but what about Saudi Arabia. Islamabad secured a $3 billion loan from Riyadh in October 2018, assuming that they would not be asked to pay back. The Pakistani PM tried hard to ensure this and even played chauffeur for the Saudi crown prince. Earlier today, it was announced in Pakistani media that Islamabad has paid back $1 billion. However, the Pakistani media has not put it correctly, and, in fact, Riyadh has forced it to pay. This payback was due for a long time and let's just look at what really happened. Ever since he came to power, Khan has been obsessed with Kashmir. Repeatedly, Khan has allowed this obsession to dominate Pakistan's foreign policy. In February, Khan consistently pushed Saudi Arabia for the Organisation of Islamic Countries' (OIC) meeting on Kashmir. Saudi Arabia is the de facto leader of OIC and it refused to slam India on Kashmir. The prime minister went all the way to Malaysia and said: "OIC can't come together on Kashmir, we are divided, we have no voice". This tone of Imran was not appreciated by Saudi Arabia. Riyadh's message was clear: Domestic political narratives cannot drive foreign policy. It has been a while since this episode and the world faced the pandemic in between. But it seems that the Pakistani PM has not moved on and is once again asking Saudis to convene a meeting of Islamic countries on Kashmir. Recently, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: "OIC's leadership should stay away from this attitude of being careful and if they can't do this, then our prime minister will call the meeting". These are strong words spoken by a country that is surviving on loans from Saudi Arabia. Another question that remains is how did Pakistan afford to pay back a billion dollars, during a pandemic and when its economy is on a downfall. The answer is China. A Pakistani newspaper said, "Pakistan's time-tested friend, China, has immediately come forward and extended $1 billion in loan to help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline." China's modus operandi is this policy, give with one hand and take away with the other. And once again China managed to do this. At least 24 hours before China helped Pakistan with this aid, Pakistan's top economic body approved its costliest project ever: CPEC, a $6.8 billion project to upgrade Pakistan's railway lines. Interestingly, Pakistan's entire developmental budget this financial year was $7.9 billion. China's time-tested friendship has been a costly affair for Pakistan. The harsh reality for Pakistan is that its obsession with Kashmir and attempts to please China has impacted its support from the Islamic world. Imran Khan can drive all he likes, but he can't take the world for a ride.

Imran Khan's proximity with China has distanced his other master

The Premier League and all the clubs have been urged to block the much-talked-about takeover of Newcastle United by its overseas TV partner beIN Sports. Newcastle United are on the verge of a £300m-plus takeover by Saudi-backed consortium PCP Capitals, involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Magpies could be handed over to the consortium, involving financier Amanda Staveley, in the next couple of weeks given the Premier Leagues’ Owners and Directors’ Test is completed. However, Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports has said that Saudi Arabia should be held accountable for its involvement in a pirate TV network, which broadcasts Premier League matches illegally.&nbsp;

The network, named beoutQ, first began live-streaming sporting events, illegally, in the year 2017. The Premier League has been among a number of organisations and sporting bodies who have asked Arabsat to stop providing a channel for a pirate network.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dutch-top-flight-likely-over-after-government-extends-ban-293965" hreflang="en">Dutch top flight likely over after government extends ban</a>

In July 2019, the Premier League said that it had spoken to nine law firms in Saudi Arabia, who simply refused to pursue a copyright complaint against beoutQ.

BeIN Sports are Premier League’s biggest overseas broadcast partner with their deal costing £500million for three years

Yousef al-Obaidly, the chief executive of beIN, has written to all 20 Premier League while petitioning the governing bodies’ chief executive, Richard Masters.

“The danger of allowing the acquisition of a controlling or material interest (whether acquired directly or indirectly) in a major Premier League club by what is effectively the Saudi Arabian government cannot be ignored given the country's past and continuing illegal actions and their direct impact upon the commercial interests of the Premier League, its member clubs, its broadcast partners and football in general.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/german-football-plans-may-return-but-debate-rages-293964" hreflang="en">German football plans May return but debate rages</a>

“As a longstanding partner and huge investor in the Premier League, we urge you to consider carefully all the implications of doing so.”

He adds: “The legacy of the illegal service will continue to impact you going forward.

“When the Premier League season re-commences in the coming months, all of the league’s broadcasters’ content will continue to be readily and illegally available via the IPTV streaming functionality on the beoutQ set-top-boxes which were sold in significant quantities in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region.

“Furthermore – given the crippling economic effect that coronavirus is having on the sports industry – this is all happening at a time when football clubs need to protect their broadcast revenue the most.”

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been under political dispute since 2017. 
&nbsp;

The Premier League and all the clubs have been urged to block the much-talked-about takeover of Newcastle United by its overseas TV partner beIN Sports. Newcastle United are on the verge of a £300m-plus takeover by Saudi-backed consortium PCP Capitals, involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Premier League and all the clubs have been urged to block the much-talked-about takeover of Newcastle United by its overseas TV partner beIN Sports. Newcastle United are on the verge of a £300m-plus takeover by Saudi-backed consortium PCP Capitals, involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Magpies could be handed over to the consortium, involving financier Amanda Staveley, in the next couple of weeks given the Premier Leagues’ Owners and Directors’ Test is completed. However, Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports has said that Saudi Arabia should be held accountable for its involvement in a pirate TV network, which broadcasts Premier League matches illegally. The network, named beoutQ, first began live-streaming sporting events, illegally, in the year 2017. The Premier League has been among a number of organisations and sporting bodies who have asked Arabsat to stop providing a channel for a pirate network. ALSO READ: Dutch top flight likely over after government extends ban In July 2019, the Premier League said that it had spoken to nine law firms in Saudi Arabia, who simply refused to pursue a copyright complaint against beoutQ. BeIN Sports are Premier League’s biggest overseas broadcast partner with their deal costing £500million for three years Yousef al-Obaidly, the chief executive of beIN, has written to all 20 Premier League while petitioning the governing bodies’ chief executive, Richard Masters. “The danger of allowing the acquisition of a controlling or material interest (whether acquired directly or indirectly) in a major Premier League club by what is effectively the Saudi Arabian government cannot be ignored given the country's past and continuing illegal actions and their direct impact upon the commercial interests of the Premier League, its member clubs, its broadcast partners and football in general. ALSO READ: German football plans May return but debate rages “As a longstanding partner and huge investor in the Premier League, we urge you to consider carefully all the implications of doing so.” He adds: “The legacy of the illegal service will continue to impact you going forward. “When the Premier League season re-commences in the coming months, all of the league’s broadcasters’ content will continue to be readily and illegally available via the IPTV streaming functionality on the beoutQ set-top-boxes which were sold in significant quantities in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region. “Furthermore – given the crippling economic effect that coronavirus is having on the sports industry – this is all happening at a time when football clubs need to protect their broadcast revenue the most.” Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been under political dispute since 2017.

Premier League clubs urged to combine and block £300 million Newcastle United takeover

Leaders of the G20 major economies are holding an online summit Thursday in a bid to fend off a coronavirus-triggered recession, after criticism the group has been slow to address the crisis.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the emergency videoconference chaired by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, who is also under pressure to end an oil price war with Moscow that has roiled energy markets.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-countries-are-using-robots-to-fight-coronavirus-pandemic-288627"> How countries are using robots to fight coronavirus pandemic?</a>

The talks come as the global death toll from COVID-19 soared to more than 21,000 and over three billion people were locked down in their homes, triggering a massive financial shock worldwide.

"As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges to healthcare systems and the global economy, we convene this extraordinary G20 summit to unite efforts towards a global response," the king of Saudi Arabia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, said on Twitter.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-cases-near-70000-more-than-1000-dead-288573"> US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead</a>

The meeting, expected to be held at 1200 GMT, comes as the world's 20 most industrialised countries scramble to defend their virus-wracked economies amid forecasts they will likely plunge into a deep recession.

On Wednesday, the financial ratings agency Moody's estimated the G20's overall gross domestic product would contract by 0.5 per cent this year, with the US economy shrinking by 2.0 per cent and the eurozone by 2.2 per cent.

"The G20 economies will experience an unprecedented shock in the first half of this year and will contract in 2020 as a whole," Moody's said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-second-consecutive-day-of-no-new-local-coronavirus-transmissions-imported-cases-rise-288566">China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise</a>

While wealthy nations including the US have unveiled mammoth stimulus packages, there has so far been no collective action plan from the G20, and concerns are mounting for poorer countries without access to capital markets and adequate health facilities.

The IMF and World Bank on Wednesday urged G20 leaders to support its call for governments to put debt payments from the world's poorest nations on hold.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also urged G20 nations to offer support to "low and middle-income countries", including those from Sub-Saharan Africa.

'Missing in action'

This week, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping pushed for an emergency G20 summit to limit the impact of the pandemic.

French presidential sources said the virtual meeting would focus on "coordination on the health level" as well as sending a "strong signal" to financial markets over efforts to stabilise the global economy.

But with world leaders divided, the meeting stands in contrast to the G20 summits following the 2008 financial crisis, when the group swung into action to mobilise assistance for vulnerable countries.

"The G20 is missing in action today, unlike 2008," said Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group risk consultancy firm.

Talk of global coordination has yet to resonate under Trump's isolationist presidency.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took aim at China, saying the top diplomats of the Group of Seven agreed with him that Beijing was waging a "disinformation" campaign about the pandemic.

At the G7 talks, a day before the G20 summit, Pompeo alleged Beijing was engaged in a social media campaign that included conspiracy theories that the US was behind the virus, first detected in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan.&nbsp;

"If G20 leaders can put politics aside and reach a collective G20 agreement, countries have a better chance of success or of delivering more stimulus than on their own," Markus Engels, from the Global Solutions Initiative, a network of think tanks, told AFP.

"Coordination among the G20 sends a strong message of unity and confidence, both of which are urgently needed now."

Crude oil prices -- hammered by the outbreak's impact on demand as well as by a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are also expected to be at the centre of the discussions.

Riyadh faces pressure from Washington to row back on its decision to hike production and offer the biggest price cuts in two decades, in retaliation for Russia's refusal to tighten supply as the virus saps demand.

On Wednesday, Pompeo urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to "rise to the occasion" and "reassure global energy and financial markets".

The G20 members will be joined by leaders from other affected countries including Spain, Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland, Riyadh said.

Leaders from international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation will also participate.

 
&nbsp;

Leaders of the G20 major economies are holding an online summit Thursday in a bid to fend off a coronavirus-triggered recession, after criticism the group has been slow to address the crisis.

Leaders of the G20 major economies are holding an online summit Thursday in a bid to fend off a coronavirus-triggered recession, after criticism the group has been slow to address the crisis. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the emergency videoconference chaired by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, who is also under pressure to end an oil price war with Moscow that has roiled energy markets. Also read: How countries are using robots to fight coronavirus pandemic? The talks come as the global death toll from COVID-19 soared to more than 21,000 and over three billion people were locked down in their homes, triggering a massive financial shock worldwide. "As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges to healthcare systems and the global economy, we convene this extraordinary G20 summit to unite efforts towards a global response," the king of Saudi Arabia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, said on Twitter. Also read: US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead The meeting, expected to be held at 1200 GMT, comes as the world's 20 most industrialised countries scramble to defend their virus-wracked economies amid forecasts they will likely plunge into a deep recession. On Wednesday, the financial ratings agency Moody's estimated the G20's overall gross domestic product would contract by 0.5 per cent this year, with the US economy shrinking by 2.0 per cent and the eurozone by 2.2 per cent. "The G20 economies will experience an unprecedented shock in the first half of this year and will contract in 2020 as a whole," Moody's said. Also read: China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise While wealthy nations including the US have unveiled mammoth stimulus packages, there has so far been no collective action plan from the G20, and concerns are mounting for poorer countries without access to capital markets and adequate health facilities. The IMF and World Bank on Wednesday urged G20 leaders to support its call for governments to put debt payments from the world's poorest nations on hold. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also urged G20 nations to offer support to "low and middle-income countries", including those from Sub-Saharan Africa. 'Missing in action' This week, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping pushed for an emergency G20 summit to limit the impact of the pandemic. French presidential sources said the virtual meeting would focus on "coordination on the health level" as well as sending a "strong signal" to financial markets over efforts to stabilise the global economy. But with world leaders divided, the meeting stands in contrast to the G20 summits following the 2008 financial crisis, when the group swung into action to mobilise assistance for vulnerable countries. "The G20 is missing in action today, unlike 2008," said Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group risk consultancy firm. Talk of global coordination has yet to resonate under Trump's isolationist presidency. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took aim at China, saying the top diplomats of the Group of Seven agreed with him that Beijing was waging a "disinformation" campaign about the pandemic. At the G7 talks, a day before the G20 summit, Pompeo alleged Beijing was engaged in a social media campaign that included conspiracy theories that the US was behind the virus, first detected in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan. "If G20 leaders can put politics aside and reach a collective G20 agreement, countries have a better chance of success or of delivering more stimulus than on their own," Markus Engels, from the Global Solutions Initiative, a network of think tanks, told AFP. "Coordination among the G20 sends a strong message of unity and confidence, both of which are urgently needed now." Crude oil prices -- hammered by the outbreak's impact on demand as well as by a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are also expected to be at the centre of the discussions. Riyadh faces pressure from Washington to row back on its decision to hike production and offer the biggest price cuts in two decades, in retaliation for Russia's refusal to tighten supply as the virus saps demand. On Wednesday, Pompeo urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to "rise to the occasion" and "reassure global energy and financial markets". The G20 members will be joined by leaders from other affected countries including Spain, Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland, Riyadh said. Leaders from international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation will also participate.

Saudi chairs G20 crisis talks as coronavirus threatens global recession

The G20 countries are working towards finding ways to combat the coronavirus crisis. After the Indian PM Narendra Modi invited Saudi Arabia for a video conference. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has accepted the invitation. The G-20 leaders will be putting together a coordinated strategy to protect the people and safeguard the global economy. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Saudi Prince accepts PM Modi's invitation to deal with Coronavirus crisis

A new report has claimed that Senior Royals in Saudi Arabia tried to block the accession to the throne of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This report decodes the reasons behind the latest Royal purge.

Gravitas: An attempt to block Saudi Crown Prince's accession?

Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family - Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king's nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's son and the de facto ruler of the world's top oil exporter and key US ally, has moved to consolidate power since ousting his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir to the throne in a palace coup in 2017. He arrested several royals in an anti-corruption campaign later that year.

One source said the detentions took place on Friday. Reuters could not immediately determine the reasons behind the detentions.

The Wall Street Journal reported the detentions of the two royals earlier on Friday, and said they related to an alleged coup attempt.

Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment early on Saturday. The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Prince Mohammed has fuelled resentment among some prominent branches of the ruling family by tightening his grip on power and some question his ability to lead following the 2018 murder of a prominent journalist by Saudi agents and the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil infrastructure last year, sources have said.

They said royals seeking to change the line of succession view Prince Ahmed, King Salman's only surviving full brother, as a possible choice who would have support of family members, the security apparatus, and some Western powers.

Saudi insiders and Western diplomats say the family is unlikely to oppose the crown prince while the 84-year-old king remains alive, recognizing that the king is unlikely to turn against his favourite son. The monarch has delegated most responsibilities of rule to his son but still presides over weekly cabinet meetings and receives foreign dignitaries.

Prince Ahmed has largely kept a low profile since returning to Riyadh in October 2018 after 2-1/2 months abroad. During the trip, he appeared to criticize the Saudi leadership while responding to protesters outside a London residence chanting for the downfall of the Al Saud dynasty.

He was one of only three people on the Allegiance Council, made up of the ruling Al Saud family's senior members, who opposed Mohammed bin Salman becoming crown prince in 2017, sources have earlier said.

Mohammed bin Nayef's movements have been restricted and monitored since then, sources have previously said.

The latest detentions come at a time of heightened tension with regional rival Iran and as Crown Prince Mohammed implements ambitious social and economic reforms, including an initial public offering by oil giant Saudi Aramco on the domestic bourse last December. Saudi Arabia is also the current chair for the Group of 20 major economies.

Prince Mohammed has been lauded at home for easing social restrictions in the Muslim kingdom and opening up the economy. But he has come under international criticism over a devastating war in Yemen, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate and the detention of women's rights activists seen as part of a crackdown on dissent.

Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family - Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king's nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family - Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king's nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's son and the de facto ruler of the world's top oil exporter and key US ally, has moved to consolidate power since ousting his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir to the throne in a palace coup in 2017. He arrested several royals in an anti-corruption campaign later that year. One source said the detentions took place on Friday. Reuters could not immediately determine the reasons behind the detentions. The Wall Street Journal reported the detentions of the two royals earlier on Friday, and said they related to an alleged coup attempt. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment early on Saturday. The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Prince Mohammed has fuelled resentment among some prominent branches of the ruling family by tightening his grip on power and some question his ability to lead following the 2018 murder of a prominent journalist by Saudi agents and the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil infrastructure last year, sources have said. They said royals seeking to change the line of succession view Prince Ahmed, King Salman's only surviving full brother, as a possible choice who would have support of family members, the security apparatus, and some Western powers. Saudi insiders and Western diplomats say the family is unlikely to oppose the crown prince while the 84-year-old king remains alive, recognizing that the king is unlikely to turn against his favourite son. The monarch has delegated most responsibilities of rule to his son but still presides over weekly cabinet meetings and receives foreign dignitaries. Prince Ahmed has largely kept a low profile since returning to Riyadh in October 2018 after 2-1/2 months abroad. During the trip, he appeared to criticize the Saudi leadership while responding to protesters outside a London residence chanting for the downfall of the Al Saud dynasty. He was one of only three people on the Allegiance Council, made up of the ruling Al Saud family's senior members, who opposed Mohammed bin Salman becoming crown prince in 2017, sources have earlier said. Mohammed bin Nayef's movements have been restricted and monitored since then, sources have previously said. The latest detentions come at a time of heightened tension with regional rival Iran and as Crown Prince Mohammed implements ambitious social and economic reforms, including an initial public offering by oil giant Saudi Aramco on the domestic bourse last December. Saudi Arabia is also the current chair for the Group of 20 major economies. Prince Mohammed has been lauded at home for easing social restrictions in the Muslim kingdom and opening up the economy. But he has come under international criticism over a devastating war in Yemen, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate and the detention of women's rights activists seen as part of a crackdown on dissent.

Saudi Arabia detains two senior royals, including king's brother: Report

The United Nations demanded an immediate investigation on Wednesday into allegations that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/describing-as-absurd-saudi-arabia-rejects-hacking-jeff-bezos-phone-reports-275917">Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince hacked Amazon chief</a>&nbsp;Jeff Bezo's phone with malware video.

According to the analysis released on Friday by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mohammed-bin-salman-caught-spying-jeff-bezos-accused-saudi-prince-of-hacking-his-phone-275857">Amazon chief Jeff Bezos's phone was likely infected by spyware</a> hidden in a message from which sent from a WhatsApp account that belongs to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

UN Special Rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and David Kaye said in a statement in Geneva said that the latest findings "suggest the possible involvement of the Crown Prince in surveillance of Mr Bezos, in an effort to influence, if not silence, the Washington Post's reporting on Saudi Arabia."

Amazon chief Bezos is the owner of the Washington Post.

"The alleged hacking of Mr Bezos's phone, and those of others, demands an immediate investigation by the US and other relevant authorities," Kaye and Callamard said in the statement.

Meanwhile, the reports also revealed that the Saudi Prince sent a text message to Bezos in February after exchanging numbers with him at a dinner in Los Angeles during a Mohammed bin Salman's US trip.

"Jeff all of what you hear or told... it's not true," the message said. "You know the truth, there is nothing against you or Amazon from me or Saudi Arabia," news agency AFP reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amazon-ceo-jeff-bezos-takes-a-dig-at-mark-zuckerberg-calls-making-of-facebook-childs-play-274396">Also read:&nbsp;Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos takes a dig at Mark Zuckerberg, calls making of Facebook child's play</a>

Then after months of no communication, Saudi Prince sent another message to Bezos which contained a large video file which then led to the hacking of his phone.

"We know from a comprehensive examination of the forensic artefacts on Bezos' phone that within hours of the encrypted downloader being received, a massive and unauthorised exfiltration of data from Bezos' phone began, continuing and escalating for months thereafter," the forensic report said.&nbsp;

The analysis also suggested that the hackers may have used a type of spyware used in other Saudi surveillance cases, such as Pegasus-3 malware developed by the Israeli security firm NSO Group.

&nbsp;The latest findings are set to worsen the relations between the world's richest man and the kingdom which had soured following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, who was also a columnist for the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Bezos on Wednesday posted a cryptic tweet as he shared a picture of a slain journalist with a hashtag Jamal.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jamal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jamal</a> <a href="https://t.co/8ej1rUBXVb">pic.twitter.com/8ej1rUBXVb</a>
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/1220059386694922240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

The United Nations demanded an immediate investigation on Wednesday into allegations that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince hacked Amazon chief Jeff Bezo's phone with malware video.

The United Nations demanded an immediate investigation on Wednesday into allegations that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince hacked Amazon chief Jeff Bezo's phone with malware video. According to the analysis released on Friday by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos's phone was likely infected by spyware hidden in a message from which sent from a WhatsApp account that belongs to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. UN Special Rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and David Kaye said in a statement in Geneva said that the latest findings "suggest the possible involvement of the Crown Prince in surveillance of Mr Bezos, in an effort to influence, if not silence, the Washington Post's reporting on Saudi Arabia." Amazon chief Bezos is the owner of the Washington Post. "The alleged hacking of Mr Bezos's phone, and those of others, demands an immediate investigation by the US and other relevant authorities," Kaye and Callamard said in the statement. Meanwhile, the reports also revealed that the Saudi Prince sent a text message to Bezos in February after exchanging numbers with him at a dinner in Los Angeles during a Mohammed bin Salman's US trip. "Jeff all of what you hear or told... it's not true," the message said. "You know the truth, there is nothing against you or Amazon from me or Saudi Arabia," news agency AFP reported. Also read: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos takes a dig at Mark Zuckerberg, calls making of Facebook child's play Then after months of no communication, Saudi Prince sent another message to Bezos which contained a large video file which then led to the hacking of his phone. "We know from a comprehensive examination of the forensic artefacts on Bezos' phone that within hours of the encrypted downloader being received, a massive and unauthorised exfiltration of data from Bezos' phone began, continuing and escalating for months thereafter," the forensic report said. The analysis also suggested that the hackers may have used a type of spyware used in other Saudi surveillance cases, such as Pegasus-3 malware developed by the Israeli security firm NSO Group. The latest findings are set to worsen the relations between the world's richest man and the kingdom which had soured following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, who was also a columnist for the Washington Post. Meanwhile, Bezos on Wednesday posted a cryptic tweet as he shared a picture of a slain journalist with a hashtag Jamal. #Jamal pic.twitter.com/8ej1rUBXVb — Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) January 22, 2020 × (With inputs from agencies)

'Jeff all of what you hear or told... it's not true': Saudi Crown Prince Salman's text to Bezos

From politicians to tech titans, Mohammed bin Salman meets array of VIPs

The obvious question that arises is that- How did the phone hacking of world's richest man Jeff Bezos take place and is there concrete proof that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was keeping tabs of Jeff Bezos. Watch this report to understand more:

How the world's richest man got hacked?

one of the most powerful leaders in the world today.

The Amazon CEO had hired private investigators to probe the phone hack. So if Jeff Bezos has evidence to prove is the shocking claim, he must put it out.

And this brings us to the question of security, we live in the digital age and government services are moving online. People in Estonia can vote and register companies online. Brazilians can file their taxes online, citizens of Buenos Aires interact with city administrators through Mobile Apps. In India, more than 140 government services are online and it won't be long when every interaction we have with our governments will be through the internet as it saves time and it is cost-effective.&nbsp;

The government will move online too. There is merit to the argument that the day-to-day business of a government can be done online, but the question here is - is it safe? Even major technology companies would hesitate a little before they reply with a yes because technology is not fool-proof.&nbsp;

In the last 10 years, we have witnessed the many ways by which technology can disrupt lives - disinformation campaigns, the Cambridge Analytica scandal and several data breaches.

Cyberattack is now a legitimate weapon to target government institutions. Last year, different local governments in America were attacked by ransomware. Ransomware is malicious software that locks an entire computer and then the attacker demands a ransom from the victim to restore access.

In 2019, government officials in the city of Baltimore, a group of cities in Florida, and several local agencies in Texas found themselves locked out of their computers. Officials in Florida paid more than one million dollars in ransom. Others had to shell out much more to rebuild their infrastructure.

India is not immune to cyberattacks, between January and October last year, 48 government websites were hacked. The most alarming attack was on the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

The time has come to take cybersecurity seriously, indigenous solutions are the need of the hour. For instance, the Israeli defence forces have built their own smartphone to securely communicate on the battleground.&nbsp; 
 
WATCH: India Needs Indigenous Tools for Cybersecurity

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&nbsp;

The internet is here to stay, but the growing breaches show that the silicon valley alone cannot be trusted to secure data. As a growing tech power - &nbsp;India must promote indigenous expertise in cybersecurity.

And leaders with access to sensitive information will need safeguards. Former US President Barack Obama was perhaps one of the most tech-savvy American Presidents. For the longest time, he was allowed to only carry a Blackberry which was developed by the American national security agency.

They stripped the phone of practically every built-in feature. It had no games, no selfie camera, texting was not allowed. 
The phone could only call 10 phone numbers - the calls were routed through a special network.

Most world leaders have similar arrangements - a stripped-down, but a secure smartphone with a secure line.&nbsp;

India lacks a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, but plans are in place to fill the gaps. According to a report, India is planning an umbrella body - a unified command that will advice and support public and private sectors against cyber threats.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

one of the most powerful leaders in the world today. The Amazon CEO had hired private investigators to probe the phone hack. So if Jeff Bezos has evidence to prove is the shocking claim, he must put it out.

one of the most powerful leaders in the world today. The Amazon CEO had hired private investigators to probe the phone hack. So if Jeff Bezos has evidence to prove is the shocking claim, he must put it out. And this brings us to the question of security, we live in the digital age and government services are moving online. People in Estonia can vote and register companies online. Brazilians can file their taxes online, citizens of Buenos Aires interact with city administrators through Mobile Apps. In India, more than 140 government services are online and it won't be long when every interaction we have with our governments will be through the internet as it saves time and it is cost-effective. The government will move online too. There is merit to the argument that the day-to-day business of a government can be done online, but the question here is - is it safe? Even major technology companies would hesitate a little before they reply with a yes because technology is not fool-proof. In the last 10 years, we have witnessed the many ways by which technology can disrupt lives - disinformation campaigns, the Cambridge Analytica scandal and several data breaches. Cyberattack is now a legitimate weapon to target government institutions. Last year, different local governments in America were attacked by ransomware. Ransomware is malicious software that locks an entire computer and then the attacker demands a ransom from the victim to restore access. In 2019, government officials in the city of Baltimore, a group of cities in Florida, and several local agencies in Texas found themselves locked out of their computers. Officials in Florida paid more than one million dollars in ransom. Others had to shell out much more to rebuild their infrastructure. India is not immune to cyberattacks, between January and October last year, 48 government websites were hacked. The most alarming attack was on the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The time has come to take cybersecurity seriously, indigenous solutions are the need of the hour. For instance, the Israeli defence forces have built their own smartphone to securely communicate on the battleground. WATCH: India Needs Indigenous Tools for Cybersecurity × The internet is here to stay, but the growing breaches show that the silicon valley alone cannot be trusted to secure data. As a growing tech power - India must promote indigenous expertise in cybersecurity. And leaders with access to sensitive information will need safeguards. Former US President Barack Obama was perhaps one of the most tech-savvy American Presidents. For the longest time, he was allowed to only carry a Blackberry which was developed by the American national security agency. They stripped the phone of practically every built-in feature. It had no games, no selfie camera, texting was not allowed. The phone could only call 10 phone numbers - the calls were routed through a special network. Most world leaders have similar arrangements - a stripped-down, but a secure smartphone with a secure line. India lacks a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, but plans are in place to fill the gaps. According to a report, India is planning an umbrella body - a unified command that will advice and support public and private sectors against cyber threats. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

Wion Edit: Cybersecurity - are governments around the world safe?

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is accused by Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and owner of the Washington Post of digital espionage. It is reported that Bezos had his phone hacked in 2018 after receiving a Whatsapp message from the personal account of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amazon-ceo-jeff-bezos-takes-a-dig-at-mark-zuckerberg-calls-making-of-facebook-childs-play-274396">Also read:&nbsp;Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos takes a dig at Mark Zuckerberg, calls making of Facebook child's play</a>

The digital forensic analysis indicates that the breach was likely triggered by an infected file sent to Bezos, and large amounts of data were allegedly stolen from Bezos' phone in the hack though the nature of the stolen material is unclear.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shah-rukh-khan-a-r-rahman-and-other-b-town-stars-attend-jeff-bezos-welcome-party-in-mumbai-274817">In pics: Shah Rukh Khan, A R Rahman and other B-town stars attend Jeff Bezos welcome party in Mumbai</a> 
 
Preceding the hack was an exchange between Amazon CEO and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp. Investigators found digital evidence suggesting it contained code that ultimately led to the phone's breach.&nbsp;

Gavin de Becker was hired in March 2019 by Bezos after the latter's private messages about a personal relationship were leaked to a tabloid; Becker suggests that Sauda Arabia was behind the 2018 hack as well, for at the time it was linked to the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi reporter who wrote for the Post.&nbsp;

The Saudi Embassy tweeted their disagreement, calling the report "absurd" and called for an investigation "so that we can have all the facts out".

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Recent media reports that suggest the Kingdom is behind a hacking of Mr. Jeff Bezos' phone are absurd. We call for an investigation on these claims so that we can have all the facts out.
— Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaudiEmbassyUSA/status/1219792870389035008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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An investigation being conducted by the United Nations is expected to confirm that Bezos' mobile phone was hacked in a WhatsApp message from Bin Salman.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is accused by Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and owner of the Washington Post of digital espionage. It is reported that Bezos had his phone hacked in 2018 after receiving a Whatsapp message from the personal account of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is accused by Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and owner of the Washington Post of digital espionage. It is reported that Bezos had his phone hacked in 2018 after receiving a Whatsapp message from the personal account of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Also read: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos takes a dig at Mark Zuckerberg, calls making of Facebook child's play The digital forensic analysis indicates that the breach was likely triggered by an infected file sent to Bezos, and large amounts of data were allegedly stolen from Bezos' phone in the hack though the nature of the stolen material is unclear. In pics: Shah Rukh Khan, A R Rahman and other B-town stars attend Jeff Bezos welcome party in Mumbai Preceding the hack was an exchange between Amazon CEO and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp. Investigators found digital evidence suggesting it contained code that ultimately led to the phone's breach. Gavin de Becker was hired in March 2019 by Bezos after the latter's private messages about a personal relationship were leaked to a tabloid; Becker suggests that Sauda Arabia was behind the 2018 hack as well, for at the time it was linked to the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi reporter who wrote for the Post. The Saudi Embassy tweeted their disagreement, calling the report "absurd" and called for an investigation "so that we can have all the facts out". Recent media reports that suggest the Kingdom is behind a hacking of Mr. Jeff Bezos' phone are absurd. We call for an investigation on these claims so that we can have all the facts out. — Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) January 22, 2020 × An investigation being conducted by the United Nations is expected to confirm that Bezos' mobile phone was hacked in a WhatsApp message from Bin Salman.