Riyadh does not know the location of dissident <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-pressure-over-khashoggi-death-trump-ignores-deadline-196134">Jamal Khashoggi's body</a>, despite having detained the Saudi team that murdered him, a high-ranking foreign affairs official in the kingdom said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-killing-an-insight-into-saudi-strategic-thinking-196178">dissident journalist was dismembered</a> after his murder October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but his remains have yet to be found.

Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, said the murder was carried out by Saudi officials "acting outside their scope of authority" and that 11 people have been charged with the crime.

But asked where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-killing-an-insight-into-saudi-strategic-thinking-196178">Khashoggi's body</a> is, he told CBS's "Face the Nation," "We don't know."

Jubeir said the public prosecutor responsible for the case had sought evidence from Turkey but had received no response.

Questioned why those in custody couldn't tell them where the body was, Jubeir responded: "We are still investigating."

"We have now a number of possibilities and we're asking them what they did with the body, and I think this investigation is ongoing, and I would expect that eventually we will find the truth," he said.

Jubeir was interviewed Friday, the same day President Donald Trump ignored a congressional deadline for reporting on who assassinated Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who had been openly critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The CIA has concluded the Saudi operation was likely directed by the powerful crown prince, but the White House has sidestepped that finding amid strenuous denials by Riyadh, a key US ally.

On Friday, The New York Times said the CIA had intercepted communications of the crown prince telling a top aide in 2017 that he would go after Khashoggi "with a bullet" if the journalist did not return to Saudi Arabia.

"I'm not going to comment on reports based on anonymous sources," Jubeir said.&nbsp;

"The crown prince, we know, did not order this. This was not a government-sanctioned operation."

Riyadh does not know the location of dissident Jamal Khashoggi's body, despite having detained the Saudi team that murdered him, a high-ranking foreign affairs official in the kingdom said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

Riyadh does not know the location of dissident Jamal Khashoggi's body, despite having detained the Saudi team that murdered him, a high-ranking foreign affairs official in the kingdom said in an interview broadcast Sunday. The dissident journalist was dismembered after his murder October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but his remains have yet to be found. Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, said the murder was carried out by Saudi officials "acting outside their scope of authority" and that 11 people have been charged with the crime. But asked where Khashoggi's body is, he told CBS's "Face the Nation," "We don't know." Jubeir said the public prosecutor responsible for the case had sought evidence from Turkey but had received no response. Questioned why those in custody couldn't tell them where the body was, Jubeir responded: "We are still investigating." "We have now a number of possibilities and we're asking them what they did with the body, and I think this investigation is ongoing, and I would expect that eventually we will find the truth," he said. Jubeir was interviewed Friday, the same day President Donald Trump ignored a congressional deadline for reporting on who assassinated Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who had been openly critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The CIA has concluded the Saudi operation was likely directed by the powerful crown prince, but the White House has sidestepped that finding amid strenuous denials by Riyadh, a key US ally. On Friday, The New York Times said the CIA had intercepted communications of the crown prince telling a top aide in 2017 that he would go after Khashoggi "with a bullet" if the journalist did not return to Saudi Arabia. "I'm not going to comment on reports based on anonymous sources," Jubeir said. "The crown prince, we know, did not order this. This was not a government-sanctioned operation."

We don't know about Khashoggi's body: Saudi foreign office

A Saudi-led coalition launched several air strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa overnight, stoking tensions among Yemen's warring parties as the United Nations struggles to implement a peace deal reached last month.

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said on Sunday that the Western-backed coalition had conducted 24 air strikes on Sanaa since Saturday evening, including four on the air base. It said non-military targets such as a plastics factory were hit.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The escalation in fighting, which follows a deadly Houthi drone attack last week on a Yemeni government military parade, raises doubts about holding a second round of U.N.-sponsored talks this month aimed at ending the nearly four-year war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The war pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement against the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Sunni Muslim coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intervene.

The United Nations is trying to implement a ceasefire and troop withdrawal agreement in the main port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger.

The deal was reached at U.N.-sponsored talks in Sweden last month, the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years, to avert a full-scale assault on the port, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and aid.

The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis with thousands of coalition-backed forces massed on the outskirts. But the withdrawal of forces by both sides has stalled over disagreement on who would control the Red Sea city.

Western nations, including some which supply the coalition with arms and intelligence, have pressed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to end the conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

Rights groups have criticised the coalition for air strikes that have killed thousands of civilians at hospitals, schools and markets since 2015. They also criticise the Houthis for missile attacks on Saudi cities, including the capital Riyadh.

The conflict is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran. The Houthis deny receiving any help from Iran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps.

A Saudi-led coalition launched several air strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa overnight, stoking tensions among Yemen's warring parties as the United Nations struggles to implement a peace deal reached last month. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps. Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said on Sunday that the Western-backed coalition had conducted 24 air strikes on Sanaa since Saturday evening, including four on the air base. It said non-military targets such as a plastics factory were hit. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The escalation in fighting, which follows a deadly Houthi drone attack last week on a Yemeni government military parade, raises doubts about holding a second round of U.N.-sponsored talks this month aimed at ending the nearly four-year war that has killed tens of thousands of people. The war pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement against the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Sunni Muslim coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intervene. The United Nations is trying to implement a ceasefire and troop withdrawal agreement in the main port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger. The deal was reached at U.N.-sponsored talks in Sweden last month, the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years, to avert a full-scale assault on the port, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and aid. The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis with thousands of coalition-backed forces massed on the outskirts. But the withdrawal of forces by both sides has stalled over disagreement on who would control the Red Sea city. Western nations, including some which supply the coalition with arms and intelligence, have pressed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to end the conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Rights groups have criticised the coalition for air strikes that have killed thousands of civilians at hospitals, schools and markets since 2015. They also criticise the Houthis for missile attacks on Saudi cities, including the capital Riyadh. The conflict is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran. The Houthis deny receiving any help from Iran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Saudi-led coalition launches air strikes on Yemen capital

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-hopes-for-imminent-end-to-us-government-shutdown-190082">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> faced a tough balancing act Monday as he pressed Saudi Arabia's crown prince <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-must-hold-khashoggis-killers-accountable-uss-pompeo-190073">over critic Jamal Khashoggi's murder</a> while seeking to shore up strategic ties with Riyadh.

The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, held talks with King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who faces international opprobrium over the journalist's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo walked a diplomatic tightrope on his second politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia since the grisly killing, amid pressure from American lawmakers for a tough response.

The king and crown prince "both acknowledge that this accountability needs to take place", Pompeo said in Riyadh following talks with the two men.

"They reiterated their commitment," he added.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was murdered on October 2 in what Saudi Arabia called a "rogue" operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises and subsequently straining ties between Riyadh and Washington.

Pompeo was pushing for Saudi Arabia to "ascertain facts, assess information, and hold those responsible accountable" for the murder, the State Department said Sunday.

US President Donald Trump has brushed aside international outrage — and calls for an independent probe — to stand by Prince Mohammed over the murder of Khashoggi, whose corpse was dismembered at the consulate.

His support has come despite the US Central Intelligence Agency's reported conclusion that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered the murder. A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month also held the crown prince responsible for the killing.

Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people and are seeking the death penalty against five of them. But they have exonerated Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder.

Yemen truce&nbsp;

Khashoggi's murder has cast a renewed spotlight on Saudi Arabia's US-backed military campaign against Huthi rebels in Yemen, gripped by what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Backing the Saudi position, Pompeo accused the rebels of failing to comply with a truce agreement for the lifeline port city of Hodeida reached last month at UN-sponsored talks in Sweden.

"The work that was done in Sweden on Yemen was good, but both sides (need) to honour those commitments," Pompeo said.

"Today, the Iranian-backed Huthis have chosen not to do that."

On a previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, Pompeo's broad smiles with the crown prince outraged some Americans.

However, Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the oil-rich kingdom, which he sees as a bulwark against common foe Iran and a lucrative buyer of US arms.

Rights groups called on Pompeo to also press Prince Mohammed over the jailing of women activists in the kingdom, amid claims that some of them faced sexual harassment and torture during interrogation.

"I am struck by what is not included in Pompeo's itinerary: the brave women activists of Saudi Arabia, who are being held in the kingdom's prisons for seeking rights and dignity," Alia al-Hathloul wrote in The New York Times Sunday.

Hathloul's sister, Loujain, is among more than a dozen activists arrested last May — just before the historic lifting of Saudi Arabia's decades-long ban on women drivers.

Pompeo on Monday said that he discussed human rights issues with the Saudis, including the plight of women activists, without giving any details.

Gulf crisis&nbsp;

Pompeo was in Riyadh as part of an extensive week-long trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Amman, Baghdad, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

He was earlier scheduled to end his tour with a stopover in Kuwait. But he will be cutting short his tour and returning home early to attend a family funeral after he visits Muscat later Monday, the State Department said.

Pompeo met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Sunday during his visit to Doha, where he refused to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran.

He also called on Qatar and other Gulf Arab countries to end their worst political rift in years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies— cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran.

Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change.

"As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world," Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

He added that "President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long".

Mediation efforts by the United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni.

For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan.

The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, held talks with King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who faces international opprobrium over the journalist's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo faced a tough balancing act Monday as he pressed Saudi Arabia's crown prince over critic Jamal Khashoggi's murder while seeking to shore up strategic ties with Riyadh. The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, held talks with King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who faces international opprobrium over the journalist's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Pompeo walked a diplomatic tightrope on his second politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia since the grisly killing, amid pressure from American lawmakers for a tough response. The king and crown prince "both acknowledge that this accountability needs to take place", Pompeo said in Riyadh following talks with the two men. "They reiterated their commitment," he added. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was murdered on October 2 in what Saudi Arabia called a "rogue" operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises and subsequently straining ties between Riyadh and Washington. Pompeo was pushing for Saudi Arabia to "ascertain facts, assess information, and hold those responsible accountable" for the murder, the State Department said Sunday. US President Donald Trump has brushed aside international outrage — and calls for an independent probe — to stand by Prince Mohammed over the murder of Khashoggi, whose corpse was dismembered at the consulate. His support has come despite the US Central Intelligence Agency's reported conclusion that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered the murder. A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month also held the crown prince responsible for the killing. Riyadh prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people and are seeking the death penalty against five of them. But they have exonerated Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder. Yemen truce Khashoggi's murder has cast a renewed spotlight on Saudi Arabia's US-backed military campaign against Huthi rebels in Yemen, gripped by what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Backing the Saudi position, Pompeo accused the rebels of failing to comply with a truce agreement for the lifeline port city of Hodeida reached last month at UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. "The work that was done in Sweden on Yemen was good, but both sides (need) to honour those commitments," Pompeo said. "Today, the Iranian-backed Huthis have chosen not to do that." On a previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, Pompeo's broad smiles with the crown prince outraged some Americans. However, Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the oil-rich kingdom, which he sees as a bulwark against common foe Iran and a lucrative buyer of US arms. Rights groups called on Pompeo to also press Prince Mohammed over the jailing of women activists in the kingdom, amid claims that some of them faced sexual harassment and torture during interrogation. "I am struck by what is not included in Pompeo's itinerary: the brave women activists of Saudi Arabia, who are being held in the kingdom's prisons for seeking rights and dignity," Alia al-Hathloul wrote in The New York Times Sunday. Hathloul's sister, Loujain, is among more than a dozen activists arrested last May — just before the historic lifting of Saudi Arabia's decades-long ban on women drivers. Pompeo on Monday said that he discussed human rights issues with the Saudis, including the plight of women activists, without giving any details. Gulf crisis Pompeo was in Riyadh as part of an extensive week-long trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Amman, Baghdad, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. He was earlier scheduled to end his tour with a stopover in Kuwait. But he will be cutting short his tour and returning home early to attend a family funeral after he visits Muscat later Monday, the State Department said. Pompeo met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Sunday during his visit to Doha, where he refused to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran. He also called on Qatar and other Gulf Arab countries to end their worst political rift in years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies— cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. "As for the GCC... we are all more powerful when we're working together when we have common challenges in the region and around the world," Pompeo said, referring to the six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. He added that "President Trump and I both believe the ongoing dispute in the region has gone on too long". Mediation efforts by the United States, which at first appeared to back the boycott of Qatar, have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan.

Mike Pompeo on diplomatic tightrope in Saudi talks over Khashoggi murder

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-optimistic-syria-kurds-turkey-can-be-protected-189910">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> arrived in Qatar on Sunday pushing for an end to a diplomatic rift between Washington's Gulf allies on the latest leg of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-vows-to-expel-every-last-iranian-boot-from-syria-189438">his Middle East tour</a>.

The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha.

"It is time for old rivalries to end for the sake of the greater good of the region," Pompeo said on Thursday in Cairo, where he laid out the Middle East strategy of US President Donald Trump's administration.

The secretary of state travelled to Doha from Abu Dhabi, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on Saturday.&nbsp;

Pompeo is later expected to head to Riyadh, where all eyes will be on a possible meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.&nbsp;

The visit comes just three months after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in his country's Istanbul consulate.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies — cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran.&nbsp;

Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change.&nbsp;

Washington, which at first appeared to back the boycott, has so far been unsuccessful in trying to get the countries to set aside their differences in order to focus on Washington's regional priority — the fight against Iran.

Attempts at mediation have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni — who quit because of an apparent "lack of will" on behalf of "regional leaders" for regional reconciliation.

For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan.

"Today, we ask each of those countries to take the next step and help us solidify MESA," Pompeo said in Cairo.

Smiles with MBS

But the task is not going to be easy.&nbsp;

"It is complicated to put together, make no mistake about it because we're talking about a complex agreement among a number of nations where we're asking for significant commitments from them," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

"But I believe that there is a path forward where there's a set of common understandings."

In Doha, Pompeo is expected to meet with several senior government leaders, including Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

The two are expected to hold a joint press conference on Sunday.

Qatar's relationship with Iran is complicated as it shares the world's largest natural gas field with Tehran.

Gas has been responsible for transforming Qatar into one of the richest countries in the world since it first began exporting liquefied natural gas little more than 20 years ago.

It has also agreed to increase gas production since the beginning of the crisis.

Washington's call for regional unity is clouded by its relations with Saudi Arabia since the murder of Khashoggi in early October.&nbsp;

During Pompeo's previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, his broad smiles with the crown prince had outraged some Americans.

Trump has said he wants to preserve the alliance with the Saudi kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder.&nbsp;

"We will continue to work to ensure that all those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are accountable," Pompeo said Friday on the US channel Fox News.&nbsp;

He reaffirmed that US-Saudi relations remain "incredibly important to Americans".&nbsp;

The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Qatar on Sunday pushing for an end to a diplomatic rift between Washington's Gulf allies on the latest leg of his Middle East tour. The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha. "It is time for old rivalries to end for the sake of the greater good of the region," Pompeo said on Thursday in Cairo, where he laid out the Middle East strategy of US President Donald Trump's administration. The secretary of state travelled to Doha from Abu Dhabi, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on Saturday. Pompeo is later expected to head to Riyadh, where all eyes will be on a possible meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit comes just three months after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in his country's Istanbul consulate. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies — cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. Washington, which at first appeared to back the boycott, has so far been unsuccessful in trying to get the countries to set aside their differences in order to focus on Washington's regional priority — the fight against Iran. Attempts at mediation have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni — who quit because of an apparent "lack of will" on behalf of "regional leaders" for regional reconciliation. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. "Today, we ask each of those countries to take the next step and help us solidify MESA," Pompeo said in Cairo. Smiles with MBS But the task is not going to be easy. "It is complicated to put together, make no mistake about it because we're talking about a complex agreement among a number of nations where we're asking for significant commitments from them," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. "But I believe that there is a path forward where there's a set of common understandings." In Doha, Pompeo is expected to meet with several senior government leaders, including Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The two are expected to hold a joint press conference on Sunday. Qatar's relationship with Iran is complicated as it shares the world's largest natural gas field with Tehran. Gas has been responsible for transforming Qatar into one of the richest countries in the world since it first began exporting liquefied natural gas little more than 20 years ago. It has also agreed to increase gas production since the beginning of the crisis. Washington's call for regional unity is clouded by its relations with Saudi Arabia since the murder of Khashoggi in early October. During Pompeo's previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, his broad smiles with the crown prince had outraged some Americans. Trump has said he wants to preserve the alliance with the Saudi kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder. "We will continue to work to ensure that all those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are accountable," Pompeo said Friday on the US channel Fox News. He reaffirmed that US-Saudi relations remain "incredibly important to Americans".

Mike Pompeo to push for end to Gulf dispute during Qatar visit

Talks to address Yemen's failed economy could take place in Jordan's capital Amman, a rebel leader said Sunday after meeting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-envoy-arrives-in-yemen-to-push-hodeida-truce-188462">UN envoy Martin Griffiths</a>.

Discussions on the war-torn country's economy "could take place in Amman... which I discussed with the UN envoy", Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, head of the rebel Higher Revolutionary Committee, told AFP. He added that the meeting may alternatively take place by video conference.

The Huthi rebels later released a statement on Sunday clarifying that the official was referring to "economic meetings" that could take place and not the second round of peace negotiations between the rebels and the government.&nbsp;

One month after hard-won peace talks on the Yemen conflict, the United Nations faces an uphill battle as it pushes to ensure the warring parties make good on a shaky truce deal.

UN envoy Griffiths, who brokered the breakthrough last month in Sweden, returned to Yemen Saturday with a plan to expedite measures agreed between the government and Huthi rebels.

Key among them is the redeployment of rival forces from Hodeida, the Red Sea port city crucial for aid and food imports.

Griffiths, scheduled to see Yemeni government officials in the Saudi capital Riyadh after meeting the rebels, hopes to bring the warring sides together later this month — possibly in Kuwait — to follow up on progress made at December's talks.&nbsp;

The UN envoy held talks Sunday with Huthi chief Abdelmalik al-Huthi, spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam said in a statement carried by rebel Al-Masira TV.

He said that the two addressed "preparations for the upcoming round of talks".&nbsp;

Rebel-held Hodeida was for months the main front line in the Yemen war after government forces supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies launched an offensive to capture it in June. &nbsp;

But a precarious calm has largely held in the city since a ceasefire agreement came into force on December 18.&nbsp;

Under the deal, both the Iran-backed rebels and pro-government forces should withdraw from the area.&nbsp;

UN spokesman Farhan Haq on Thursday confirmed the cessation of hostilities continued to hold in Hodeida, despite mutual accusations of violations by the rebels and Saudi-backed government.&nbsp;

But there has not yet been progress on the redeployment of loyalist and rebel forces from Hodeida city.

The UN Security Council is expected to hear a report from Griffiths next week, although no date has been set.

The war between the Huthis and troops loyal to the internationally-recognized government escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo&nbsp;Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi and the Riyadh-led coalition intervened.

The conflict has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, which says 14 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine.

The war between the Huthis and troops loyal to the internationally-recognized government escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi and the Riyadh-led coalition intervened.

Talks to address Yemen's failed economy could take place in Jordan's capital Amman, a rebel leader said Sunday after meeting UN envoy Martin Griffiths. Discussions on the war-torn country's economy "could take place in Amman... which I discussed with the UN envoy", Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, head of the rebel Higher Revolutionary Committee, told AFP. He added that the meeting may alternatively take place by video conference. The Huthi rebels later released a statement on Sunday clarifying that the official was referring to "economic meetings" that could take place and not the second round of peace negotiations between the rebels and the government. One month after hard-won peace talks on the Yemen conflict, the United Nations faces an uphill battle as it pushes to ensure the warring parties make good on a shaky truce deal. UN envoy Griffiths, who brokered the breakthrough last month in Sweden, returned to Yemen Saturday with a plan to expedite measures agreed between the government and Huthi rebels. Key among them is the redeployment of rival forces from Hodeida, the Red Sea port city crucial for aid and food imports. Griffiths, scheduled to see Yemeni government officials in the Saudi capital Riyadh after meeting the rebels, hopes to bring the warring sides together later this month — possibly in Kuwait — to follow up on progress made at December's talks. The UN envoy held talks Sunday with Huthi chief Abdelmalik al-Huthi, spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam said in a statement carried by rebel Al-Masira TV. He said that the two addressed "preparations for the upcoming round of talks". Rebel-held Hodeida was for months the main front line in the Yemen war after government forces supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies launched an offensive to capture it in June. But a precarious calm has largely held in the city since a ceasefire agreement came into force on December 18. Under the deal, both the Iran-backed rebels and pro-government forces should withdraw from the area. UN spokesman Farhan Haq on Thursday confirmed the cessation of hostilities continued to hold in Hodeida, despite mutual accusations of violations by the rebels and Saudi-backed government. But there has not yet been progress on the redeployment of loyalist and rebel forces from Hodeida city. The UN Security Council is expected to hear a report from Griffiths next week, although no date has been set. The war between the Huthis and troops loyal to the internationally-recognized government escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi and the Riyadh-led coalition intervened. The conflict has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, which says 14 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine.

Talks on Yemen's economy could take place in Amman: Huthi rebels

Turkey searched the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for a second time overnight as part of a probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while the French and Dutch finance ministers pulled out of a Riyadh investment summit amid global criticism of the kingdom.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said he was awaiting a full report on what had happened to Khashoggi from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after the envoy met with Saudi and Turkish leaders, and said he did not want to abandon his Saudi ally.

Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi - a US&nbsp;resident and Washington Post columnist critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and his body removed.

Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump has speculated without providing evidence that "rogue killers" could be responsible.

How Western allies deal with Riyadh will hinge on the extent to which they believe responsibility for the affair lies with Prince Mohammed and the Saudi authorities.

Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and the 33-year-old crown prince in an effort to counter Iranian influence in the region, has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from Riyadh. He has cited tens of billions of dollars in potential arms deals.

Other Western nations have expressed concern about Khashoggi's disappearance, but face a similarly delicate situation in their dealings with the world's top oil exporter.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday he had cancelled his attendance at an investment conference in Riyadh next week, telling Public Senat TV: "The conditions are not right."

Dutch Finance Minister Wopka Hoekstra has also scrapped plans to attend, news agency ANP reported, while the Dutch government cancelled a trade mission to Saudi Arabia next month.

US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his plans to attend the Riyadh conference would be revisited on Thursday after US&nbsp;officials have a chance to consult Pompeo. Britain's Secretary of State for Trade Liam Fox's plans to attend have not been confirmed, a spokesperson said.

Audio recording

Turkish crime scene investigators left the Saudi consulate early on Thursday after searching the building and consular vehicles, a Reuters witness said. They used bright lights to illuminate the garden.

Earlier, the investigators spent nearly nine hours in the Saudi consul's residence, as did Saudi investigators. The Turkish team's search included the roof and garage and the use of a drone.

Turkish sources have told Reuters the authorities have an audio recording indicating Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Trump said the United States has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence.

Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper published on Wednesday what it said were details from audio recordings that purported to document Khashoggi's torture and interrogation.

The newspaper said Khashoggi's torturers severed his fingers during the interrogation and later beheaded and dismembered him.

A New York Times report cited a senior Turkish official confirming those details. Two Turkish government officials contacted by Reuters declined to confirm the report.

Turkey has not shared with the US&nbsp;government or European allies graphic audio or video evidence, seven US&nbsp;and European security officials have told Reuters.

The United States and allies have collected some intelligence through their own sources and methods, which partly confirms news reports based on leaks of audio recordings, four of the sources said.

Intelligence team

Turkish pro-government newspaper Sabah published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared.

One name matches a LinkedIn profile for a forensic expert who has worked at the interior ministry for 20 years. Another is identified in a diplomatic directory from 2007 as a first secretary at the Saudi Embassy in London.

Other names and photos of the 15 resemble officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force, as identified by previous Saudi media reports and in one case a Facebook profile.

A New York Times report, citing witnesses and other records, linked four suspects to Prince Mohammed's security detail.

Prince Mohammed has painted himself as the face of a new, vibrant Saudi Arabia, diversifying its economy away from reliance on oil and making some social changes.

But he has faced criticism including over the arrest of women activists, a diplomatic row with Canada and Riyadh's involvement in the Yemen war during which airstrikes by the coalition Saudi Arabia leads have killed civilians.

Khashoggi, a royal insider who once advised former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal, never shied away from criticising Saudi policies.

The Washington Post published a column it received from his assistant after he was reported missing in which Khashoggi condemns the crackdown on journalists by Arab governments and the failure of the international community to respond.

"As a result, Arab governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate," he wrote.

Turkey searched the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for a second time overnight as part of a probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while the French and Dutch finance ministers pulled out of a Riyadh investment summit amid global criticism of the kingdom.

Turkey searched the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for a second time overnight as part of a probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while the French and Dutch finance ministers pulled out of a Riyadh investment summit amid global criticism of the kingdom. US President Donald Trump said he was awaiting a full report on what had happened to Khashoggi from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after the envoy met with Saudi and Turkish leaders, and said he did not want to abandon his Saudi ally. Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi - a US resident and Washington Post columnist critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and his body removed. Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump has speculated without providing evidence that "rogue killers" could be responsible. How Western allies deal with Riyadh will hinge on the extent to which they believe responsibility for the affair lies with Prince Mohammed and the Saudi authorities. Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and the 33-year-old crown prince in an effort to counter Iranian influence in the region, has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from Riyadh. He has cited tens of billions of dollars in potential arms deals. Other Western nations have expressed concern about Khashoggi's disappearance, but face a similarly delicate situation in their dealings with the world's top oil exporter. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday he had cancelled his attendance at an investment conference in Riyadh next week, telling Public Senat TV: "The conditions are not right." Dutch Finance Minister Wopka Hoekstra has also scrapped plans to attend, news agency ANP reported, while the Dutch government cancelled a trade mission to Saudi Arabia next month. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his plans to attend the Riyadh conference would be revisited on Thursday after US officials have a chance to consult Pompeo. Britain's Secretary of State for Trade Liam Fox's plans to attend have not been confirmed, a spokesperson said. Audio recording Turkish crime scene investigators left the Saudi consulate early on Thursday after searching the building and consular vehicles, a Reuters witness said. They used bright lights to illuminate the garden. Earlier, the investigators spent nearly nine hours in the Saudi consul's residence, as did Saudi investigators. The Turkish team's search included the roof and garage and the use of a drone. Turkish sources have told Reuters the authorities have an audio recording indicating Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Trump said the United States has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence. Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper published on Wednesday what it said were details from audio recordings that purported to document Khashoggi's torture and interrogation. The newspaper said Khashoggi's torturers severed his fingers during the interrogation and later beheaded and dismembered him. A New York Times report cited a senior Turkish official confirming those details. Two Turkish government officials contacted by Reuters declined to confirm the report. Turkey has not shared with the US government or European allies graphic audio or video evidence, seven US and European security officials have told Reuters. The United States and allies have collected some intelligence through their own sources and methods, which partly confirms news reports based on leaks of audio recordings, four of the sources said. Intelligence team Turkish pro-government newspaper Sabah published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared. One name matches a LinkedIn profile for a forensic expert who has worked at the interior ministry for 20 years. Another is identified in a diplomatic directory from 2007 as a first secretary at the Saudi Embassy in London. Other names and photos of the 15 resemble officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force, as identified by previous Saudi media reports and in one case a Facebook profile. A New York Times report, citing witnesses and other records, linked four suspects to Prince Mohammed's security detail. Prince Mohammed has painted himself as the face of a new, vibrant Saudi Arabia, diversifying its economy away from reliance on oil and making some social changes. But he has faced criticism including over the arrest of women activists, a diplomatic row with Canada and Riyadh's involvement in the Yemen war during which airstrikes by the coalition Saudi Arabia leads have killed civilians. Khashoggi, a royal insider who once advised former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal, never shied away from criticising Saudi policies. The Washington Post published a column it received from his assistant after he was reported missing in which Khashoggi condemns the crackdown on journalists by Arab governments and the failure of the international community to respond. "As a result, Arab governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate," he wrote.

Turkey searches Saudi consulate again, as French, Dutch ministers cancel Riyadh trip

An Air India pilot was found dead in a health club of a hotel in Riyadh on Wednesday morning.&nbsp

Air India first officer Capt Rithwik Tiwari was found dead in a small toilet room located in a health club of the hotel on Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson of the airline also informed the Indian embassy in Riyadh and family of the pilot about the same.

"We got the news of our pilot died in Riyadh we informed his family as well as our embassy in Riyadh," Air India spokesperson said.

(With inputs from ANI)

A spokesperson of the airline also informed the Indian embassy in Riyadh and family of the pilot about the same.

An Air India pilot was found dead in a health club of a hotel in Riyadh on Wednesday morning. Air India first officer Capt Rithwik Tiwari was found dead in a small toilet room located in a health club of the hotel on Wednesday morning. A spokesperson of the airline also informed the Indian embassy in Riyadh and family of the pilot about the same. "We got the news of our pilot died in Riyadh we informed his family as well as our embassy in Riyadh," Air India spokesperson said. (With inputs from ANI)

Air India confirms the death of its pilot in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia is preparing to outlaw sexual harassment, officials said Tuesday, less than a month before the conservative kingdom lifts its decades-long ban on women driving.

The kingdom's Shura Council, which advises the cabinet, approved a draft law on Monday which would introduce a prison term of up to five years and a penalty of 300,000 riyals ($80,000).

The draft bill "is a very important addition to the history of regulations in the kingdom", Shura Council member Latifa al-Shaalan was quoted as saying in an information ministry statement.

"It fills a large legislative vacuum, and it is a deterrent," she added.

The kingdom's driving ban on women is slated to end June 24, as part of a highly publicised liberalisation drive launched by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who styles himself as a progressive reformer.

The prince has also lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas, allowed mixed-gender concerts and clipped the powers of the long-feared religious police.

But the social reforms appear overshadowed by the recent arrests of at least 11 activists, mostly identified by rights groups as veteran women campaigners for the right to drive and to end the conservative country's male guardianship system.&nbsp;

Authorities have accused the activists of "suspicious contact with foreign parties", providing financial support to "enemies" and attempting to undermine the kingdom's "security and stability".

Reports in state-backed media branded some of the detainees traitors and "agents of embassies".

At least four detained activists were released last week, campaigners including Amnesty International said, but the fate of the others remains unclear.

"Given the significant loosening of certain restrictions on women's activities in Saudi Arabia... it is perplexing why both women and men engaged in campaigning for such positive developments are now being targeted by the authorities," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.

"If, as it appears, their detention is related solely to their work as human rights defenders and activists on women's issues, they should be released immediately."

Saudi authorities have so far not commented publicly on the detentions.

 
&nbsp;

But the social reforms appear overshadowed by the recent arrests of at least 11 activists

Saudi Arabia is preparing to outlaw sexual harassment, officials said Tuesday, less than a month before the conservative kingdom lifts its decades-long ban on women driving. The kingdom's Shura Council, which advises the cabinet, approved a draft law on Monday which would introduce a prison term of up to five years and a penalty of 300,000 riyals ($80,000). The draft bill "is a very important addition to the history of regulations in the kingdom", Shura Council member Latifa al-Shaalan was quoted as saying in an information ministry statement. "It fills a large legislative vacuum, and it is a deterrent," she added. The kingdom's driving ban on women is slated to end June 24, as part of a highly publicised liberalisation drive launched by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who styles himself as a progressive reformer. The prince has also lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas, allowed mixed-gender concerts and clipped the powers of the long-feared religious police. But the social reforms appear overshadowed by the recent arrests of at least 11 activists, mostly identified by rights groups as veteran women campaigners for the right to drive and to end the conservative country's male guardianship system. Authorities have accused the activists of "suspicious contact with foreign parties", providing financial support to "enemies" and attempting to undermine the kingdom's "security and stability". Reports in state-backed media branded some of the detainees traitors and "agents of embassies". At least four detained activists were released last week, campaigners including Amnesty International said, but the fate of the others remains unclear. "Given the significant loosening of certain restrictions on women's activities in Saudi Arabia... it is perplexing why both women and men engaged in campaigning for such positive developments are now being targeted by the authorities," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement. "If, as it appears, their detention is related solely to their work as human rights defenders and activists on women's issues, they should be released immediately." Saudi authorities have so far not commented publicly on the detentions.

Saudi Arabia seeks to criminalise sexual harassment

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday on a hastily-arranged visit to the Middle East as the United States aims to muster support for new sanctions against Iran.

The visit to Riyadh, Jerusalem and Amman just two days after Pompeo was sworn-in comes as President Donald Trump is set to decide whether to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that is still supported by European powers.

"We are urging nations around the world to sanction any individuals and entities associated with Iran's missile program, and it has also been a big part of discussions with Europeans," Brian Hook, a senior policy advisor travelling with Pompeo, told reporters.

Hook said a salvo of ballistic missiles fired into Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-allied Houthi movement that killed a man earlier on Saturday had been provided by Tehran.

"Iran's missiles prolong war and suffering in the Middle East, they threaten our security and economic interests and they especially threaten Saudi Arabia and Israel," he said.

The 2015 deal that limits Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief does not cover its missile programme.

Trump has called it the "worst deal ever" and threatened to re-impose sanctions unless Britain, France and Germany agree to fix it. Resuming sanctions would likely kill the deal.

Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France, which all struck the accord with Iran and the United States, see the deal as the best way to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Speaking after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Friday, Pompeo said Trump had not taken a decision on whether to abandon the deal but was not likely to stick to it without substantial changes.

"There's been no decision, so the team is working and I am sure we will have lots of conversations to deliver what the president has made clear," Pompeo told a news conference.

Earlier this week French President Emmanuel Macron called on Trump not to abandon the deal, although he later acknowledged he thought he would pull out.

The Trump administration is also currently reviewing the U.S. role in fighting Islamic State in Syria’s seven-year conflict. Trump has called on Gulf countries to provide funding and troops to stabilize areas once controlled by the group in Syria.

Pompeo was one of the first Trump administration officials to visit Saudi Arabia early in his tenure as CIA director.

In Riyadh, Pompeo was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. He is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman during the visit.

The visit to Riyadh, Jerusalem and Amman just two days after Pompeo was sworn-in comes as President Donald Trump is set to decide whether to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that is still supported by European powers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday on a hastily-arranged visit to the Middle East as the United States aims to muster support for new sanctions against Iran. The visit to Riyadh, Jerusalem and Amman just two days after Pompeo was sworn-in comes as President Donald Trump is set to decide whether to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that is still supported by European powers. "We are urging nations around the world to sanction any individuals and entities associated with Iran's missile program, and it has also been a big part of discussions with Europeans," Brian Hook, a senior policy advisor travelling with Pompeo, told reporters. Hook said a salvo of ballistic missiles fired into Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-allied Houthi movement that killed a man earlier on Saturday had been provided by Tehran. "Iran's missiles prolong war and suffering in the Middle East, they threaten our security and economic interests and they especially threaten Saudi Arabia and Israel," he said. The 2015 deal that limits Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief does not cover its missile programme. Trump has called it the "worst deal ever" and threatened to re-impose sanctions unless Britain, France and Germany agree to fix it. Resuming sanctions would likely kill the deal. Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France, which all struck the accord with Iran and the United States, see the deal as the best way to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. Speaking after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Friday, Pompeo said Trump had not taken a decision on whether to abandon the deal but was not likely to stick to it without substantial changes. "There's been no decision, so the team is working and I am sure we will have lots of conversations to deliver what the president has made clear," Pompeo told a news conference. Earlier this week French President Emmanuel Macron called on Trump not to abandon the deal, although he later acknowledged he thought he would pull out. The Trump administration is also currently reviewing the U.S. role in fighting Islamic State in Syria’s seven-year conflict. Trump has called on Gulf countries to provide funding and troops to stabilize areas once controlled by the group in Syria. Pompeo was one of the first Trump administration officials to visit Saudi Arabia early in his tenure as CIA director. In Riyadh, Pompeo was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. He is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman during the visit.

Mike Pompeo starts Mideast tour with call for new Iran sanctions

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's air defence forces intercepted three ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh and other cities on Wednesday by Yemen's Houthis who have stepped up attacks recently, threatening to escalate a rivalry between&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia and Iran.

Three rockets were shot down above the capital and the southern cities of Jizan and Najran, according to state media and the&nbsp;Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen.

The Houthis claimed to have targeted the defence ministry in Riyadh and a&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Aramco distribution facility in Najran.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The attacks mark the fourth time in five months that missiles have flown over Riyadh, as the Houthis step up efforts to demonstrate they can reach the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;capital.

Last month, one man was killed in Riyadh by debris after the military shot down a flurry of missiles, the first casualty of the Yemen war in the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;capital.

Wednesday's missiles followed the downing of two Houthi drones earlier in the day in Jizan and the nearby&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;city of Abha, the coalition said. The Houthis said they were targeting an Aramco facility in Jizan, but the company said its facilities there were operating "normally and safely".

The company is building a 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Jizan, part of a new economic city on the Red Sea, which is expected to become fully operational in 2019.

Aramco was not immediately available to comment on the missiles.

The Houthis say their missile attacks on the kingdom are in retaliation for air raids on Yemen by the Western-backed coalition.

Their news agency SABA said four people were killed, including a woman and a child, and 10 others wounded in two air strikes on Wednesday in the Razih district of western Saada province. There was no immediate comment from the coalition.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia and an alliance of Muslim states intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to try and push back the Houthis after they drove the internationally-recognised government into exile in Riyadh.

The coalition has launched thousands of air strikes in Yemen which have hit schools, markets and hospitals, killing hundreds of people - though it says it does not target civilians.

The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year-old war, and three out of four Yemenis — 22 million civilians — need relief aid.

The coalition accuses the Houthis of being armed and supported by Iran - charges the group and Tehran deny.

Arms monitor Conflict Armament Research says it has evidence that the drones used on Wednesday and other Houthi kit were made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction "in contrast to Houthi statements".

Three rockets were shot down above the capital and the southern cities of Jizan and Najran, according to state media and the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia's air defence forces intercepted three ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh and other cities on Wednesday by Yemen's Houthis who have stepped up attacks recently, threatening to escalate a rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Three rockets were shot down above the capital and the southern cities of Jizan and Najran, according to state media and the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis claimed to have targeted the defence ministry in Riyadh and a Saudi Aramco distribution facility in Najran. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The attacks mark the fourth time in five months that missiles have flown over Riyadh, as the Houthis step up efforts to demonstrate they can reach the Saudi capital. Last month, one man was killed in Riyadh by debris after the military shot down a flurry of missiles, the first casualty of the Yemen war in the Saudi capital. Wednesday's missiles followed the downing of two Houthi drones earlier in the day in Jizan and the nearby Saudi city of Abha, the coalition said. The Houthis said they were targeting an Aramco facility in Jizan, but the company said its facilities there were operating "normally and safely". The company is building a 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Jizan, part of a new economic city on the Red Sea, which is expected to become fully operational in 2019. Aramco was not immediately available to comment on the missiles. The Houthis say their missile attacks on the kingdom are in retaliation for air raids on Yemen by the Western-backed coalition. Their news agency SABA said four people were killed, including a woman and a child, and 10 others wounded in two air strikes on Wednesday in the Razih district of western Saada province. There was no immediate comment from the coalition. Saudi Arabia and an alliance of Muslim states intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to try and push back the Houthis after they drove the internationally-recognised government into exile in Riyadh. The coalition has launched thousands of air strikes in Yemen which have hit schools, markets and hospitals, killing hundreds of people - though it says it does not target civilians. The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year-old war, and three out of four Yemenis — 22 million civilians — need relief aid. The coalition accuses the Houthis of being armed and supported by Iran - charges the group and Tehran deny. Arms monitor Conflict Armament Research says it has evidence that the drones used on Wednesday and other Houthi kit were made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction "in contrast to Houthi statements".

Saudi Arabia says it shot down Houthi missiles over Riyadh and southern cities

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Wednesday, according to Reuters witnesses.

There was no immediate comment from the government.

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh

At least three loud blasts were heard and three clouds of smoke could be seen in the sky above the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Wednesday, according to Reuters witnesses. There was no immediate comment from the government.

Loud blasts heard in Saudi capital Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's crown prince said Israelis are entitled to live peacefully on their own land in an interview published on Monday in U.S. magazine The Atlantic, another public sign of ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv appearing to grow closer. 
 
Asked if he believes the Jewish people have a right to a nation-state in at least part of their ancestral homeland,&nbsp;Mohammed bin Salman&nbsp;was quoted as saying: "I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land. But we have to have a peace agreement to assure the stability for everyone and to have normal relations." 
 
Saudi Arabia - birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines - does not recognise Israel. It has maintained for years that normalising relations hinges on Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands captured in the 1967 Middle East war, territory Palestinians seek for a future state. 
 
"We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don't have any objection against any other people,"&nbsp;Prince Mohammed&nbsp;said.

Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fuelled speculation that shared interests may push Saudi Arabia and Israel to work together against what they see as a common Iranian threat.

Saudi Arabia&nbsp;opened its airspace for the first time to a commercial flight to Israel last month, which an Israeli official hailed as historic following two years of efforts. 
 
In November, an Israeli cabinet member disclosed covert contacts with Saudi Arabia, a rare acknowledgment of long-rumored secret dealings which Riyadh still denies.

Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fuelled speculation that shared interests may push Saudi Arabia and Israel to work together against what they see as a common Iranian threat

Saudi Arabia's crown prince said Israelis are entitled to live peacefully on their own land in an interview published on Monday in U.S. magazine The Atlantic, another public sign of ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv appearing to grow closer. Asked if he believes the Jewish people have a right to a nation-state in at least part of their ancestral homeland, Mohammed bin Salman was quoted as saying: "I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land. But we have to have a peace agreement to assure the stability for everyone and to have normal relations." Saudi Arabia - birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines - does not recognise Israel. It has maintained for years that normalising relations hinges on Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands captured in the 1967 Middle East war, territory Palestinians seek for a future state. "We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don't have any objection against any other people," Prince Mohammed said. Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fuelled speculation that shared interests may push Saudi Arabia and Israel to work together against what they see as a common Iranian threat. Saudi Arabia opened its airspace for the first time to a commercial flight to Israel last month, which an Israeli official hailed as historic following two years of efforts. In November, an Israeli cabinet member disclosed covert contacts with Saudi Arabia, a rare acknowledgment of long-rumored secret dealings which Riyadh still denies.

Palestinians 'have the right to their own land', says Saudi Crown Prince

According to reports, one person has been killed and 2 injured in a ballistic missile attack on the capital city of Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The attack was reported to have been carried out by Yemen rebels.&nbsp;

The attack by the Shiite rebels was carried out on the eve of the third anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
Saudi Arabia says 1 person killed, 2 wounded in ballistic missile attack on kingdom's capital by Yemen rebels, reports the Associated Press.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/978057660984676353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">25 March 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Iran-aligned Huthi rebels fired three missiles at Riyadh and four others at the southern cities of Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran, with the coalition saying they all targeted populated areas.

"This aggressive and hostile action by the Iran-backed Huthi group proves that the Iranian regime continues to support the armed group with military capabilities," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said.

"The firing of multiple ballistic missiles towards cities is a serious development."

According to the Huthi-run Al-Masira television channel, the rebels had targeted Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport as well as other airstrips in the south of the kingdom.

The Saudi-led war in Yemen began in the year 2015. Since last year, nearly dozens of missiles have been fired into Saudi Arabia by the Huthi rebels all of them are reported to have been intercepted by Saudi forces. Another strike targeted Riyadh's Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman in December last year.&nbsp;

The Huthis plan a huge rally in Sanaa today to mark the war's third anniversary.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The attack, which injured two, was carried out on the eve of the third anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen

According to reports, one person has been killed and 2 injured in a ballistic missile attack on the capital city of Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The attack was reported to have been carried out by Yemen rebels. The attack by the Shiite rebels was carried out on the eve of the third anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen. Saudi Arabia says 1 person killed, 2 wounded in ballistic missile attack on kingdom's capital by Yemen rebels, reports the Associated Press. — ANI (@ANI) 25 March 2018 × The Iran-aligned Huthi rebels fired three missiles at Riyadh and four others at the southern cities of Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran, with the coalition saying they all targeted populated areas. "This aggressive and hostile action by the Iran-backed Huthi group proves that the Iranian regime continues to support the armed group with military capabilities," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said. "The firing of multiple ballistic missiles towards cities is a serious development." According to the Huthi-run Al-Masira television channel, the rebels had targeted Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport as well as other airstrips in the south of the kingdom. The Saudi-led war in Yemen began in the year 2015. Since last year, nearly dozens of missiles have been fired into Saudi Arabia by the Huthi rebels all of them are reported to have been intercepted by Saudi forces. Another strike targeted Riyadh's Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman in December last year. The Huthis plan a huge rally in Sanaa today to mark the war's third anniversary. (With inputs from agencies)

Yemen rebels fire missiles at Riyadh, 1 killed

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabia</a> <a href="https://t.co/KE2G1uQEXC">pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960850489276583936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival &#39;Janadriyah&#39;, at which India is the guest of honour country.

The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia&#39;s rich tapestry of culture and heritage.

&quot;Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s valued strategic partner,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.

&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.

Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016.

Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.

The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.&nbsp;

During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians. EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2018 × During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival 'Janadriyah', at which India is the guest of honour country. The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia's rich tapestry of culture and heritage. "Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India's valued strategic partner," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Swaraj in Saudi Arabia on three-day visit

The luxury Riyadh hotel used as a prison during Saudi Arabia&#39;s crackdown on corruption will reopen for business next month, according to a company employee and its website, suggesting authorities are close to settling the cases of many suspects.

Dozens of princes, senior officials and top businessmen were detained and confined in the opulent Ritz-Carlton Riyadh as the government launched the purge in early November. The hotel was closed to normal business.

On Monday, an employee at the office taking bookings for the hotel, who declined to be named, told by telephone that bookings by the public would be accepted from Feb. 14,&nbsp; Reuters reported.

The hotel&#39;s website now accepts bookings from Feb. 14, quoting a rate for its cheapest room of 2,439 riyals ($650) a night.

Official sources told Reuters earlier that Saudi authorities were close to winding up a major part of the crackdown, which would allow them to return the Ritz-Carlton to normal operations.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Dozens of princes, senior officials and top businessmen were detained and confined in the opulent Ritz-Carlton Riyadh as the government launched the purge in early November.

The luxury Riyadh hotel used as a prison during Saudi Arabia's crackdown on corruption will reopen for business next month, according to a company employee and its website, suggesting authorities are close to settling the cases of many suspects. Dozens of princes, senior officials and top businessmen were detained and confined in the opulent Ritz-Carlton Riyadh as the government launched the purge in early November. The hotel was closed to normal business. On Monday, an employee at the office taking bookings for the hotel, who declined to be named, told by telephone that bookings by the public would be accepted from Feb. 14, Reuters reported. The hotel's website now accepts bookings from Feb. 14, quoting a rate for its cheapest room of 2,439 riyals ($650) a night. Official sources told Reuters earlier that Saudi authorities were close to winding up a major part of the crackdown, which would allow them to return the Ritz-Carlton to normal operations. (With inputs from Reuters)

Saudi hotel to reopen after being used as prison in corruption purge

Relieved after claiming his first rapid world title since 2003, Indian chess ace Viswanathan Anand said he entered the tournament in a &quot;pessimistic&quot; frame of mind but managed to surprise himself and the world with an unbeaten campaign.

The 48-year-old, who had been drawing flak from critics for a string of sub-par performances in the recent past, hit back in style, by winning the World Rapid title in Riyadh yesterday.

&quot;The last two rapid events were nothing short of disastrous. I came here in a pessimistic frame of mind. But it has just been the most wonderful surprise. But I played well,&quot; Anand told PTI after his triumph.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/vishwananthan-anand-wins-world-rapid-chess-championship-28003" target="_blank">Vishwananthan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/vishwananthan-anand-wins-world-rapid-chess-championship-28003" target="_blank"> Anand wins World Rapid Chess Championship</a>

The former world champion remained unbeaten through the tournament and came back strongly to bag the top position on a tie-break after a three-way tie with Russians Vladimir Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi at 10.5 points from a possible 15.

The Chennai ace then defeated Fedoseev 2-0 in a two-game tie-break to win the trophy.

Anand said he had had a particularly tough year coming into the event in Riyadh.

&quot;...Especially the London (Chess Classic) tournament was a big disappointment. It is not that I had high expectations of London, but still, I expected to do well. But to finish in the last place was a heavy blow.

Anand said he felt good on the first day of the tournament as he played well and it reminded him of his glory days.

&quot;It was on the first day I felt I was playing well. It was as if time had stood still. I was back in time a few years when I was dominating rapid chess tournaments. That gave me a lot of confidence. On top of that, I beat Peter Leko in a very nice game. I was in a good frame of mind,&quot; he added.

He described the win against Norway&#39;s world champion Magnus Carlsen as the crucial moment in the tournament.

&quot;The crucial moment was the win against Magnus Carlsen. Because he had come back after a defeat against Bu Xiangzhi. He seemed to be in great form, as always.

&quot;He has this amazing ability to win games on demand where he is just able to pull together these long streak (of wins). So at that moment I must admit I felt he was favourite for the final few rounds,&quot; Anand said.

&quot;But, we had a very intense game, an intense Nimzo Indian. It is nice beating a player, who is so dominant in the blitz and rapid rating lists. To beat him was a real accomplishment. Of course, given our history, given the intense matches, there was that extra bit of feeling,&quot; the Indian Grand Master added.

Anand also said that towards the end he got worried that he might not even secure a podium finish but a series of unexpected twists and turns on the final day helped him land the top prize.

&quot;...The first three rounds ended in draws. I felt that I had lost the plot a little bit and in fact I was worried that I might not even be on the podium anymore.

&quot;I mean there were so many unexpected twists and turns. Magnus lost. Nepo (Ian Nepomniachtchi) had won his. A lot happened. But once the tie-break started and I got a big advantage in the tie-break game then I started to feel the wind was behind me,&quot; he said.

&quot;It is so unexpected because I wasn&#39;t even planning to come to this tournament, which was announced late. The most amazing feeling of all is to have the title of world champion again. I am so happy that I can&#39;t describe it in words,&quot; he added.

His wife Aruna was delighted after the victory and said, &quot;I was just very happy... Almost wanted to be there when he did the fist pump.&quot;

Meanwhile, his erstwhile rival, Russian great Garry Kasparov, hailed his triumph on Twitter.

&quot;Congratulations to the man from the sixties, @vishy64theking, on his World Rapid title! I hope you dedicated this latest victory to everyone who has asked you when you were going to retire,&quot; he tweeted.

&nbsp;

The 48-year-old had been drawing flak for a string of sub-par performances in the recent past

Relieved after claiming his first rapid world title since 2003, Indian chess ace Viswanathan Anand said he entered the tournament in a "pessimistic" frame of mind but managed to surprise himself and the world with an unbeaten campaign. The 48-year-old, who had been drawing flak from critics for a string of sub-par performances in the recent past, hit back in style, by winning the World Rapid title in Riyadh yesterday. "The last two rapid events were nothing short of disastrous. I came here in a pessimistic frame of mind. But it has just been the most wonderful surprise. But I played well," Anand told PTI after his triumph. Also read: Vishwananthan Anand wins World Rapid Chess Championship The former world champion remained unbeaten through the tournament and came back strongly to bag the top position on a tie-break after a three-way tie with Russians Vladimir Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi at 10.5 points from a possible 15. The Chennai ace then defeated Fedoseev 2-0 in a two-game tie-break to win the trophy. Anand said he had had a particularly tough year coming into the event in Riyadh. "...Especially the London (Chess Classic) tournament was a big disappointment. It is not that I had high expectations of London, but still, I expected to do well. But to finish in the last place was a heavy blow. Anand said he felt good on the first day of the tournament as he played well and it reminded him of his glory days. "It was on the first day I felt I was playing well. It was as if time had stood still. I was back in time a few years when I was dominating rapid chess tournaments. That gave me a lot of confidence. On top of that, I beat Peter Leko in a very nice game. I was in a good frame of mind," he added. He described the win against Norway's world champion Magnus Carlsen as the crucial moment in the tournament. "The crucial moment was the win against Magnus Carlsen. Because he had come back after a defeat against Bu Xiangzhi. He seemed to be in great form, as always. "He has this amazing ability to win games on demand where he is just able to pull together these long streak (of wins). So at that moment I must admit I felt he was favourite for the final few rounds," Anand said. "But, we had a very intense game, an intense Nimzo Indian. It is nice beating a player, who is so dominant in the blitz and rapid rating lists. To beat him was a real accomplishment. Of course, given our history, given the intense matches, there was that extra bit of feeling," the Indian Grand Master added. Anand also said that towards the end he got worried that he might not even secure a podium finish but a series of unexpected twists and turns on the final day helped him land the top prize. "...The first three rounds ended in draws. I felt that I had lost the plot a little bit and in fact I was worried that I might not even be on the podium anymore. "I mean there were so many unexpected twists and turns. Magnus lost. Nepo (Ian Nepomniachtchi) had won his. A lot happened. But once the tie-break started and I got a big advantage in the tie-break game then I started to feel the wind was behind me," he said. "It is so unexpected because I wasn't even planning to come to this tournament, which was announced late. The most amazing feeling of all is to have the title of world champion again. I am so happy that I can't describe it in words," he added. His wife Aruna was delighted after the victory and said, "I was just very happy... Almost wanted to be there when he did the fist pump." Meanwhile, his erstwhile rival, Russian great Garry Kasparov, hailed his triumph on Twitter. "Congratulations to the man from the sixties, @vishy64theking, on his World Rapid title! I hope you dedicated this latest victory to everyone who has asked you when you were going to retire," he tweeted.

Amazing feeling, says Vishwanathan Anand after winning World Rapid Chess Championship

India&#39;s Vishwanathan Anand won the World Rapid Chess Championship in Riyadh on Thursday.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old grandmaster from Chennai remained unbeaten through the competition. He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/world-chess-championships-2017-viswanathan-anand-defeats-world-no-1-magnus-carlsen-27935" target="_blank">beat world number 1</a> Magnus Carlsen in the ninth round on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Anand faced Russia&#39;s Vladimir Fedoseev in the decider, after the two grandmasters topped the standings with 10.5 points each at the end of 15 rounds.&nbsp;

Anand brushed aside the 22-year-old Fedoseev in just 29 moves in the first game and took the second in 38 to win his first rapid chess title since 2003.&nbsp;

Anand&#39;s sojourn in Riyadh isn&#39;t over, and he could cap off a most memorable year by winning the World Blitz Championship which begins today.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old grandmaster remained unbeaten through the competition. He beat world number 1 Magnus Carlsen on Wednesday

India's Vishwanathan Anand won the World Rapid Chess Championship in Riyadh on Thursday. The 48-year-old grandmaster from Chennai remained unbeaten through the competition. He beat world number 1 Magnus Carlsen in the ninth round on Wednesday. Anand faced Russia's Vladimir Fedoseev in the decider, after the two grandmasters topped the standings with 10.5 points each at the end of 15 rounds. Anand brushed aside the 22-year-old Fedoseev in just 29 moves in the first game and took the second in 38 to win his first rapid chess title since 2003. Anand's sojourn in Riyadh isn't over, and he could cap off a most memorable year by winning the World Blitz Championship which begins today.

Vishwananthan Anand wins World Rapid Chess Championship

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, state media said,

The rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 10:50 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;budget.

The Saudi budget&nbsp;is usually announced from the Yamamah palace by the king.

The rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman

Saudi Arabia intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, state media said, The rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman. An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 10:50 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the Saudi budget. The Saudi budget is usually announced from the Yamamah palace by the king.

Saudi Arabia intercepts Yemen rebel missile over Riyadh: State media

With its indoor swimming pool, sun-splashed patios and liveried staff, the Saudi complex has the trappings of a five-star resort, but it is actually a rehab centre -- for violent jihadists.

Riyadh&#39;s Mohammed bin Nayef Counselling and Care Centre, a cushy halfway house between prison and freedom, spotlights a controversial Saudi strategy for tackling homegrown extremists.

While the global fight against terrorism is often associated with drone strikes and torture, the philosophy that underpins the centre&#39;s approach is that extremism requires not coercion but an ideological cure.

Overseen by clerics and psychologists, it works to prevent convicts who have served their sentences from returning to jihad, through what it calls religious counselling and ideological detoxification.

&quot;Our focus is on correcting their thoughts, their misconceptions, their deviation from Islam,&quot; Yahya Abu Maghayed, a director at the centre, said while giving AFP a golf cart tour of the sprawling, palm tree-lined complex.

The convicts are housed in a series of low-slung buildings, outfitted with large-screen televisions and king-size beds, all framed by manicured lawns.

Many linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban walk around freely in flowing white robes, and have access to a spacious gym, a banquet hall and furnished apartments reserved for visits from spouses.

&quot;We make the &#39;beneficiaries&#39; feel they are normal people and still have a chance -- a chance to return to society,&quot; Abu Maghayed said, insisting the centre refrained from calling them prisoners or inmates.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/saudi2-20171129034350.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
&#39;Our focus is on correcting their thoughts, their misconceptions, their deviation from Islam,&#39; Yahya Abu Maghayed, a director at the centre, said. (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/saudi3-20171129034601.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
&#39;We make the &#39;beneficiaries&#39; feel they are normal people and still have a chance -- a chance to return to society,&#39; Abu Maghayed added. (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&#39;Talking cure&#39; for terrorists 
Saudi Arabia, long accused of exporting its ultraconservative Wahhabist Sunni doctrine around the world, is itself a victim of domestic terror attacks.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to roll back the influence of the ultra-conservative religious establishment, this week jump-started a 41-nation military coalition to combat Islamist extremism, vowing to wipe terrorism from the face of the Earth.

But the rehab facility, founded in 2004, is one of the centrepieces of Saudi Arabia&#39;s strategy to expunge violent extremism at home.

It claims to have treated more than 3,300 men convicted of terrorism-related crimes, including repatriated Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The centre boasts of a &quot;success rate of 86 percent&quot;, Abu Maghayed said, measured by those men who did not return to jihad for at least a decade after graduating from the centre.

Of the remainder, he said, most only showed signs of &quot;deviant behaviour&quot; and only a minuscule number relapsed into violent jihad.

An American terrorism expert who has closely studied the Saudi programme said the recidivism rate was higher, pointing out media reports of graduates from the centre who have showed up on battlefronts.

&quot;Saudis are to be applauded for trying something different -- they were one of the first to try a &#39;talking cure&#39; for terrorists,&quot; John Horgan, another expert at Georgia State University, told AFP.

&quot;(But) without greater transparency about its participants... it&#39;s impossible to know what value added, if any, this programme brings in reducing the threat of re-engagement in terrorism.&quot;

&#39;Ideas can fight ideas&#39; 
AFP was given a chance to interview &quot;beneficiaries&quot; if they agreed, but when two bearded, gym-buffed men were approached in their living quarters, they declined to talk.

Critics say there is a moral hazard of treating jihadists, many with blood on their hands, with lavish facilities and financial incentives.

But Saudi officials say the threat of sanction is always hanging over them.&nbsp;

Those who refuse to reform after a minimum stay of three months at the centre are returned to &quot;the judicial process&quot;, Abu Maghayed said.

But more than coercion, the centre pushes for increasing familial bonds, encouraging marriage and children, a psychological tether meant to make it harder to return to violent ways.

&quot;You cannot counter terrorism by force,&quot; said Ali al-Afnan, an educational psychology specialist at the centre.

&quot;Only ideas can fight ideas.&quot;

The centre uses art therapy as one of its tools. Comparisons between portraits in the early days of incarceration and those at later stages are used as a metric to study inmates&#39; frame of mind.

Abu Maghayed showed AFP one early painting, which he said depicted a gloomy &quot;Guantanamo mentality&quot; -- with splashes of orange, the colour of jumpsuits at the infamous prison.

Another canvas painted weeks later showed bold brushstrokes and sparks of colour, depicting hope.

As Afnan spoke to AFP, he fielded an abrupt telephone call from a former &quot;beneficiary&quot; who once travelled to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban.

Now married and with children, he was seeking advice from Afnan over returning to university for a graduate programme.

&quot;This man is our role model,&quot; Afnan said after hanging up. &quot;A shining example of how people deserve a second chance.&quot;

Riyadh's Mohammed bin Nayef Counselling and Care Centre has an indoor swimming pool, sun-splashed patios, and liveried staff

With its indoor swimming pool, sun-splashed patios and liveried staff, the Saudi complex has the trappings of a five-star resort, but it is actually a rehab centre -- for violent jihadists. Riyadh's Mohammed bin Nayef Counselling and Care Centre, a cushy halfway house between prison and freedom, spotlights a controversial Saudi strategy for tackling homegrown extremists. While the global fight against terrorism is often associated with drone strikes and torture, the philosophy that underpins the centre's approach is that extremism requires not coercion but an ideological cure. Overseen by clerics and psychologists, it works to prevent convicts who have served their sentences from returning to jihad, through what it calls religious counselling and ideological detoxification. "Our focus is on correcting their thoughts, their misconceptions, their deviation from Islam," Yahya Abu Maghayed, a director at the centre, said while giving AFP a golf cart tour of the sprawling, palm tree-lined complex. The convicts are housed in a series of low-slung buildings, outfitted with large-screen televisions and king-size beds, all framed by manicured lawns. Many linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban walk around freely in flowing white robes, and have access to a spacious gym, a banquet hall and furnished apartments reserved for visits from spouses. "We make the 'beneficiaries' feel they are normal people and still have a chance -- a chance to return to society," Abu Maghayed said, insisting the centre refrained from calling them prisoners or inmates. 'Our focus is on correcting their thoughts, their misconceptions, their deviation from Islam,' Yahya Abu Maghayed, a director at the centre, said. (AFP) × 'We make the 'beneficiaries' feel they are normal people and still have a chance -- a chance to return to society,' Abu Maghayed added. (AFP) × 'Talking cure' for terrorists Saudi Arabia, long accused of exporting its ultraconservative Wahhabist Sunni doctrine around the world, is itself a victim of domestic terror attacks. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to roll back the influence of the ultra-conservative religious establishment, this week jump-started a 41-nation military coalition to combat Islamist extremism, vowing to wipe terrorism from the face of the Earth. But the rehab facility, founded in 2004, is one of the centrepieces of Saudi Arabia's strategy to expunge violent extremism at home. It claims to have treated more than 3,300 men convicted of terrorism-related crimes, including repatriated Guantanamo Bay detainees. The centre boasts of a "success rate of 86 percent", Abu Maghayed said, measured by those men who did not return to jihad for at least a decade after graduating from the centre. Of the remainder, he said, most only showed signs of "deviant behaviour" and only a minuscule number relapsed into violent jihad. An American terrorism expert who has closely studied the Saudi programme said the recidivism rate was higher, pointing out media reports of graduates from the centre who have showed up on battlefronts. "Saudis are to be applauded for trying something different -- they were one of the first to try a 'talking cure' for terrorists," John Horgan, another expert at Georgia State University, told AFP. "(But) without greater transparency about its participants... it's impossible to know what value added, if any, this programme brings in reducing the threat of re-engagement in terrorism." 'Ideas can fight ideas' AFP was given a chance to interview "beneficiaries" if they agreed, but when two bearded, gym-buffed men were approached in their living quarters, they declined to talk. Critics say there is a moral hazard of treating jihadists, many with blood on their hands, with lavish facilities and financial incentives. But Saudi officials say the threat of sanction is always hanging over them. Those who refuse to reform after a minimum stay of three months at the centre are returned to "the judicial process", Abu Maghayed said. But more than coercion, the centre pushes for increasing familial bonds, encouraging marriage and children, a psychological tether meant to make it harder to return to violent ways. "You cannot counter terrorism by force," said Ali al-Afnan, an educational psychology specialist at the centre. "Only ideas can fight ideas." The centre uses art therapy as one of its tools. Comparisons between portraits in the early days of incarceration and those at later stages are used as a metric to study inmates' frame of mind. Abu Maghayed showed AFP one early painting, which he said depicted a gloomy "Guantanamo mentality" -- with splashes of orange, the colour of jumpsuits at the infamous prison. Another canvas painted weeks later showed bold brushstrokes and sparks of colour, depicting hope. As Afnan spoke to AFP, he fielded an abrupt telephone call from a former "beneficiary" who once travelled to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban. Now married and with children, he was seeking advice from Afnan over returning to university for a graduate programme. "This man is our role model," Afnan said after hanging up. "A shining example of how people deserve a second chance."

With pictures: Saudi Arabia's 5-star rehab centre for violent jihadists

President Michel Aoun held talks on Monday with other Lebanese political leaders over the future of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri&#39;s government but gave no sign whether they discussed Hariri&#39;s demand the country steer clear of regional turmoil.

Aoun&#39;s office said the talks were positive and constructive but did not detail steps to address the demands Hariri made after postponing his shock resignation, notably that Lebanese stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts - a reference to Iran-backed Shi&#39;ite group Hezbollah.

The consultations would continue once Aoun returns on Friday from an official visit to Italy, the statement said.

A senior Lebanese official said the consultations at the presidential palace in Baabda aimed to help Hariri&#39;s government &quot;get back on its feet&quot;, after weeks of political instability triggered by Hariri&#39;s Nov. 4 resignation, announced in Riyadh.

Lebanese officials say Saudi Arabia forced Hariri to resign and held him against his will, triggering an intervention by France which led to his return to Beirut last week.

Riyadh says Hariri, Lebanon&#39;s top Sunni Muslim politician and a long-time Saudi ally, resigned freely and denies holding him.

In his resignation speech, Hariri strongly criticised Iran and its heavily armed Lebanese Shi&#39;ite Muslim ally Hezbollah for meddling in the Arab world. Since returning to Beirut, Hariri has said all Lebanese must stick by the state policy of &quot;disassociation&quot;, or keeping out of regional conflicts - a reference to Hezbollah.

Leading Druze politician Walid Jumblatt, an influential figure in Lebanon, said after meeting Aoun that it was important to talk about &quot;disassociation&quot;, and how to achieve it.

He said it would be wise not to bring up the question of Hezbollah&#39;s weapons in discussions, referring to previous rounds of futile talks on this point.

The senior Lebanese official said the &quot;consultations might end with Lebanon reaffirming the ministerial statement that implicitly includes disassociation&quot;. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as Aoun&#39;s consultations were not over.

Hariri said on Saturday he would not accept &quot;Hezbollah stances that affect our Arab brothers or target the security and stability of their countries&quot;.

President Michel Aoun held talks on Monday with other Lebanese political leaders over the future of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri's government but gave no sign whether they discussed Hariri's demand the country steer clear of regional turmoil.

President Michel Aoun held talks on Monday with other Lebanese political leaders over the future of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri's government but gave no sign whether they discussed Hariri's demand the country steer clear of regional turmoil. Aoun's office said the talks were positive and constructive but did not detail steps to address the demands Hariri made after postponing his shock resignation, notably that Lebanese stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts - a reference to Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah. The consultations would continue once Aoun returns on Friday from an official visit to Italy, the statement said. A senior Lebanese official said the consultations at the presidential palace in Baabda aimed to help Hariri's government "get back on its feet", after weeks of political instability triggered by Hariri's Nov. 4 resignation, announced in Riyadh. Lebanese officials say Saudi Arabia forced Hariri to resign and held him against his will, triggering an intervention by France which led to his return to Beirut last week. Riyadh says Hariri, Lebanon's top Sunni Muslim politician and a long-time Saudi ally, resigned freely and denies holding him. In his resignation speech, Hariri strongly criticised Iran and its heavily armed Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim ally Hezbollah for meddling in the Arab world. Since returning to Beirut, Hariri has said all Lebanese must stick by the state policy of "disassociation", or keeping out of regional conflicts - a reference to Hezbollah. Leading Druze politician Walid Jumblatt, an influential figure in Lebanon, said after meeting Aoun that it was important to talk about "disassociation", and how to achieve it. He said it would be wise not to bring up the question of Hezbollah's weapons in discussions, referring to previous rounds of futile talks on this point. The senior Lebanese official said the "consultations might end with Lebanon reaffirming the ministerial statement that implicitly includes disassociation". The official spoke on condition of anonymity as Aoun's consultations were not over. Hariri said on Saturday he would not accept "Hezbollah stances that affect our Arab brothers or target the security and stability of their countries".

Lebanon's Aoun holds talks on Hariri government

Iran on Sunday accused the United States of responsibility for &quot;atrocities&quot; in Yemen through its support for Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition fighting Tehran-backed Huthi rebels.&nbsp;

Iran&#39;s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said a White House statement on Friday in support of Riyadh &quot;clearly and without question proves America&#39;s participation and responsibility in the atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen&quot;.

In its statement, Washington had said it was &quot;committed to supporting Saudi Arabia... against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps&#39;&nbsp;aggression and blatant violations of international law.&quot;

Regional arch-rivals Shiite-ruled Iran and Sunni heavyweight Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in conflicts from Yemen to Syria.&nbsp;

They cut diplomatic relations in January 2016 after Iranian protestors stormed Saudi diplomatic missions in reaction to Riyadh&#39;s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

In early November, Riyadh accused Tehran of &quot;direct aggression&quot; after Saudi forces intercepted a missile fired by Huthi forces towards Riyadh&#39;s international airport.&nbsp;

But Ghassemi denied that Iran has &quot;any military connection with Yemen&quot;, although Tehran says it supports the Huthis politically and regularly denounces Saudi Arabia for allegedly bombing civilians.

Accusing Washington of making &quot;totally unfounded&quot; allegations, Ghassemi said its statement on Friday showed it &quot;openly supports... appalling atrocities&quot; by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

The Saudi-led Arab military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Huthis forced him into exile.

Last month, the United Nations put the coalition on its blacklist for killing and maiming 683 children during the conflict last year and carrying out 38 verified attacks on schools and hospitals.

A report published in mid-November by the Congressional Research Service showed that Riyadh had signed arms deals worth more than $65 billion (55 billion euros) with the United States between 2009 and 2016.

&quot;Since 2015, the US-trained Saudi military has used US-origin weaponry, US logistical assistance, and shared intelligence in support of military operations in Yemen,&quot; it said.

Both parties in the Yemen conflict stand accused of neglecting civilian safety.&nbsp;

The United Nations has blacklisted the Saudi-led coalition over the &quot;killing and maiming&quot; of children.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said in support of Riyadh 'clearly and without question proves America's participation and responsibility in the atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen'.

Iran on Sunday accused the United States of responsibility for "atrocities" in Yemen through its support for Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition fighting Tehran-backed Huthi rebels. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said a White House statement on Friday in support of Riyadh "clearly and without question proves America's participation and responsibility in the atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen". In its statement, Washington had said it was "committed to supporting Saudi Arabia... against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' aggression and blatant violations of international law." Regional arch-rivals Shiite-ruled Iran and Sunni heavyweight Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in conflicts from Yemen to Syria. They cut diplomatic relations in January 2016 after Iranian protestors stormed Saudi diplomatic missions in reaction to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. In early November, Riyadh accused Tehran of "direct aggression" after Saudi forces intercepted a missile fired by Huthi forces towards Riyadh's international airport. But Ghassemi denied that Iran has "any military connection with Yemen", although Tehran says it supports the Huthis politically and regularly denounces Saudi Arabia for allegedly bombing civilians. Accusing Washington of making "totally unfounded" allegations, Ghassemi said its statement on Friday showed it "openly supports... appalling atrocities" by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. The Saudi-led Arab military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Huthis forced him into exile. Last month, the United Nations put the coalition on its blacklist for killing and maiming 683 children during the conflict last year and carrying out 38 verified attacks on schools and hospitals. A report published in mid-November by the Congressional Research Service showed that Riyadh had signed arms deals worth more than $65 billion (55 billion euros) with the United States between 2009 and 2016. "Since 2015, the US-trained Saudi military has used US-origin weaponry, US logistical assistance, and shared intelligence in support of military operations in Yemen," it said. Both parties in the Yemen conflict stand accused of neglecting civilian safety. The United Nations has blacklisted the Saudi-led coalition over the "killing and maiming" of children.

Iran accuses US over Saudi 'atrocities' in Yemen

With many carrots and some sticks, ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia seeks to tackle entrenched male attitudes towards women drivers before millions take the wheel, many for the first time, next June.

For decades, hardliners cited austere Islamic interpretations to justify the ban on women, with some maintaining that they lacked the intelligence to drive and allowing them to do so would promote promiscuity.

The ban finally ended last week, but many women fear they are still easy prey for conservatives in a nation where male &quot;guardians&quot; have arbitrary authority to take decisions on their behalf.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>As head of my family, I make the decisions -- not the women&#39;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=As head of my family, I make the decisions -- not the women'" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&quot;You can revoke the ban, but you cannot force men to allow their sisters and wives to drive,&quot; said a Saudi man with a private taxi company in Riyadh, declining to be named.

&quot;As head of my family, I make the decisions -- not the women,&quot; he told AFP, expressing an aversion to his wife driving as that would mean more contact with unrelated men.

Such views are hardly an anomaly in the gender-segregated kingdom, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&#39;s stunning reform push that has sought to liberalise the kingdom and add more women to the workforce.

&quot;Expect more accidents&quot; because of women drivers, remarked one Saudi, echoing an avalanche of sexist comments on Twitter.

Saudi authorities last week arrested a man who threatened a violent backlash against any female driver whose car breaks down.

&quot;I swear to God, I will burn her and her car,&quot; the man, wearing a traditional white robe, said in an online video.

Such attitudes have prompted fears among some women that they will struggle to get licences or could be deliberately failed in driving tests.

The government has preemptively addressed such concerns, with the interior ministry pledging to enforce the law by any means necessary.

Riyadh is already moving to bring female driving instructors from abroad and establish driving schools exclusively for women.

Authorities are also moving to criminalise sexual harassment with a new law, with flogging and jail terms as possible penalties.

The Saudi media is also taking on conservative opposition -- with a dash of humour.

&quot;Driving has always been a minefield in the battle of the sexes... Sorry fellas but women are the better drivers,&quot; declared a recent graphic published in the English-language daily Arab News, citing research that male drivers are involved in more accidents.

Newspaper editorials have argued that if women were allowed to ride camels in the time of the Prophet Mohammed then they should be allowed to drive &quot;modern-day camels&quot; &mdash;- cars.

Others have highlighted the economic benefits of the reform; Saudi families would no longer need foreign chauffeurs, often a major source of financial strain.

Sabq online newspaper published a cartoon comparing the merits of two drivers: a scraggily dressed foreign man and a veiled Saudi woman.

&quot;Man: Salary. Housing. Bad Tempered. Knows your deepest secrets. Ruins your car,&quot; it said.

&quot;Woman: Love. Care. Consideration. Commitment.&quot;

But authorities are careful not to antagonise the sensitivities of hardline clerics.

The Council of Senior Scholars, the kingdom&#39;s highest religious body that is close to the royal family, announced the majority of its members found that lifting the ban was &quot;permissible&quot;.

Experts say their approval &mdash;- after decades of opposition &mdash;- symbolises the government&#39;s tightening grip on the religious establishment that has long dominated Saudi politics.

&quot;It&#39;s unlikely that the scholars who consistently maintained that driving would damage ovaries, deprive (women) of their virginity and integrity had a sudden epiphany that their decades-old beliefs were wrong,&quot; said James Dorsey from Singapore&#39;s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

When the ban was lifted, several women&#39;s rights activists who long fought it alleged that authorities warned them not to make any public comments &mdash;- seemingly not to highlight that activism can lead to reform.

The government denies the claim.

Ali Shihabi, from the Washington-based think tank Arab Foundation, said on Twitter that the government did not want activists to &quot;further provoke the conservatives who were already provoked by (the) driving decision&quot;.

The decision was led by Prince Mohammed, who styles himself as a reformer who will set the country on the road to modernity and civil liberty.

But some experts have called the decision pure tokenism until the kingdom dismantles its rigid guardianship system.

&quot;Women still face a number of other hurdles,&quot; said research firm Capital Economics.

&quot;It may take many years for Saudi society to fully accept a greater role for women.&quot;

A Saudi executive at a multinational company in Riyadh said the main obstacle remains a prevailing &quot;village mentality&quot;, although some patriarchs prefer having women drive themselves than be chauffeured around by unrelated men.

&quot;Women drivers will become a new normal and then people will say: &#39;How come we didn&#39;t allow this to happen sooner?&#39;&quot;

The revocation of Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving has been met with an avalanche of sexism from the country's men

With many carrots and some sticks, ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia seeks to tackle entrenched male attitudes towards women drivers before millions take the wheel, many for the first time, next June. For decades, hardliners cited austere Islamic interpretations to justify the ban on women, with some maintaining that they lacked the intelligence to drive and allowing them to do so would promote promiscuity. The ban finally ended last week, but many women fear they are still easy prey for conservatives in a nation where male "guardians" have arbitrary authority to take decisions on their behalf. As head of my family, I make the decisions -- not the women' × "You can revoke the ban, but you cannot force men to allow their sisters and wives to drive," said a Saudi man with a private taxi company in Riyadh, declining to be named. "As head of my family, I make the decisions -- not the women," he told AFP, expressing an aversion to his wife driving as that would mean more contact with unrelated men. Such views are hardly an anomaly in the gender-segregated kingdom, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's stunning reform push that has sought to liberalise the kingdom and add more women to the workforce. "Expect more accidents" because of women drivers, remarked one Saudi, echoing an avalanche of sexist comments on Twitter. Saudi authorities last week arrested a man who threatened a violent backlash against any female driver whose car breaks down. "I swear to God, I will burn her and her car," the man, wearing a traditional white robe, said in an online video. Such attitudes have prompted fears among some women that they will struggle to get licences or could be deliberately failed in driving tests. The government has preemptively addressed such concerns, with the interior ministry pledging to enforce the law by any means necessary. Riyadh is already moving to bring female driving instructors from abroad and establish driving schools exclusively for women. Authorities are also moving to criminalise sexual harassment with a new law, with flogging and jail terms as possible penalties. The Saudi media is also taking on conservative opposition -- with a dash of humour. "Driving has always been a minefield in the battle of the sexes... Sorry fellas but women are the better drivers," declared a recent graphic published in the English-language daily Arab News, citing research that male drivers are involved in more accidents. Newspaper editorials have argued that if women were allowed to ride camels in the time of the Prophet Mohammed then they should be allowed to drive "modern-day camels" —- cars. Others have highlighted the economic benefits of the reform; Saudi families would no longer need foreign chauffeurs, often a major source of financial strain. Sabq online newspaper published a cartoon comparing the merits of two drivers: a scraggily dressed foreign man and a veiled Saudi woman. "Man: Salary. Housing. Bad Tempered. Knows your deepest secrets. Ruins your car," it said. "Woman: Love. Care. Consideration. Commitment." But authorities are careful not to antagonise the sensitivities of hardline clerics. The Council of Senior Scholars, the kingdom's highest religious body that is close to the royal family, announced the majority of its members found that lifting the ban was "permissible". Experts say their approval —- after decades of opposition —- symbolises the government's tightening grip on the religious establishment that has long dominated Saudi politics. "It's unlikely that the scholars who consistently maintained that driving would damage ovaries, deprive (women) of their virginity and integrity had a sudden epiphany that their decades-old beliefs were wrong," said James Dorsey from Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. When the ban was lifted, several women's rights activists who long fought it alleged that authorities warned them not to make any public comments —- seemingly not to highlight that activism can lead to reform. The government denies the claim. Ali Shihabi, from the Washington-based think tank Arab Foundation, said on Twitter that the government did not want activists to "further provoke the conservatives who were already provoked by (the) driving decision". The decision was led by Prince Mohammed, who styles himself as a reformer who will set the country on the road to modernity and civil liberty. But some experts have called the decision pure tokenism until the kingdom dismantles its rigid guardianship system. "Women still face a number of other hurdles," said research firm Capital Economics. "It may take many years for Saudi society to fully accept a greater role for women." A Saudi executive at a multinational company in Riyadh said the main obstacle remains a prevailing "village mentality", although some patriarchs prefer having women drive themselves than be chauffeured around by unrelated men. "Women drivers will become a new normal and then people will say: 'How come we didn't allow this to happen sooner?'"

'You can revoke ban but you can't force Saudi men to allow wives to drive'

Washington has announced a bumper arms deal with Saudi Arabia, heralding the package as a major boost to long-standing security ties and a way to further isolate Iran.

Administration officials claim the agreement, worth $110 billion over the next decade, is the biggest single arms deal in American history, and it will see US defence firms flow everything from ships and tanks to the latest anti-missile systems to the kingdom.

The deal also reportedly includes the renewed sale of precision-guided munitions that had been blocked under president Barack Obama&#39;s administration, for fear the Saudis would use them on civilian targets in Yemen, where Riyadh is prosecuting a war against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels.

While not all its aspects have been made public, the thrust of the deal aims to help the Saudi military bolster its defences to deter bitter rival Iran and its missile program.

The agreement clears the way for the sale of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile technologies, providing Riyadh with state-of-the-art capabilities that could thwart an Iranian rocket.

&quot;This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the kingdom&#39;s ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region,&quot; said Mike Miller, State Department director of regional security and arms transfers.

While the Trump administration claimed the weapons package was the biggest ever and said it firmed up bilateral ties between the United States and the oil kingdom, many of the weapons sales had actually been in the pipeline for years.

Observers are mixed about the significance of the deal, which comes under a broader series of investments that the State Department says could tot up to $350 billion.

&quot;Both sides have an incentive to show this as a break with the past and an opening to a new era,&quot; said Derek Chollet, a former assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs and a senior advisor at the German Marshall Fund.

But he sees the reality as more of a natural progression from a process begun under Barack Obama, who approved more than $100 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

&quot;I ask myself if Hillary Clinton was president, what would have been different about this Saudi trip? In terms of the arms sales, maybe not a lot,&quot; Chollet told AFP.

Many of the sales were set in motion months or years ago, but Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner scrambled to ensure the deal was finalised ahead of the US leader&#39;s visit to Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

According to The New York Times, he even called Lockheed Martin chief Marillyn Hewson to see if she could knock down the price of the THAAD system.

Lockheed is one of the big winners from the deal, which also includes the sale of the firm&#39;s Multi-Mission Surface Combatant Ships and associated gear, for an estimated cost of more than $11 billion.

These ships would allow Riyadh to increase patrols in the strategic Gulf and Red Sea straits in the face of Iranian threats.

The &quot;naval modernization plan would make Saudi Arabia a much more important partner in dealing with the asymmetric threat Iran poses in the Gulf,&quot; said Anthony Cordesman, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.The sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia has drawn broad ire internationally.&nbsp;

For more than two years, Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition conducting air strikes and other operations against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Rights groups have repeatedly criticised the coalition over civilian casualties.

Yemen &quot;is on the brink of famine in part because the Saudis have intentionally destroyed transit hubs and key bridges, and blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid into Yemen,&quot; Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote in an opinion piece.&nbsp;

&quot;By selling the Saudis these precision-guided weapons more, not fewer, civilians will be killed because it is Saudi Arabia&#39;s strategy to starve Yemenis to death to increase their own leverage at the negotiating table. They couldn&#39;t do this without the weapons we are selling them.&quot;

Israel has expressed concerns about US arms sales to Saudi Arabia eroding its own defensive edge in the region, but the deal does not include the sale of F-35 stealth fighters, which the Jewish state now owns.

&quot;There is nothing in this package of sales, taken individually or as a whole, that will undermine Israel&#39;s qualitative military edge,&quot; Miller said.

The cosy relationship Trump is fostering with Saudi Arabia belies the views of many of his supporters at home, who blame the kingdom for the September 11, 2001 terror attacks against America.

Of the 19 hijackers of planes used that day, 15 came from Saudi Arabia, also the birthplace of Al-Qaeda founder and attack mastermind Osama bin Laden.

(AFP)

The agreement clears the way for the sale of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile technologies, providing Riyadh with state-of-the-art capabilities that could thwart an Iranian rocket

Washington has announced a bumper arms deal with Saudi Arabia, heralding the package as a major boost to long-standing security ties and a way to further isolate Iran. Administration officials claim the agreement, worth $110 billion over the next decade, is the biggest single arms deal in American history, and it will see US defence firms flow everything from ships and tanks to the latest anti-missile systems to the kingdom. The deal also reportedly includes the renewed sale of precision-guided munitions that had been blocked under president Barack Obama's administration, for fear the Saudis would use them on civilian targets in Yemen, where Riyadh is prosecuting a war against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels. While not all its aspects have been made public, the thrust of the deal aims to help the Saudi military bolster its defences to deter bitter rival Iran and its missile program. The agreement clears the way for the sale of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile technologies, providing Riyadh with state-of-the-art capabilities that could thwart an Iranian rocket. "This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the kingdom's ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region," said Mike Miller, State Department director of regional security and arms transfers. While the Trump administration claimed the weapons package was the biggest ever and said it firmed up bilateral ties between the United States and the oil kingdom, many of the weapons sales had actually been in the pipeline for years. Observers are mixed about the significance of the deal, which comes under a broader series of investments that the State Department says could tot up to $350 billion. "Both sides have an incentive to show this as a break with the past and an opening to a new era," said Derek Chollet, a former assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs and a senior advisor at the German Marshall Fund. But he sees the reality as more of a natural progression from a process begun under Barack Obama, who approved more than $100 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia. "I ask myself if Hillary Clinton was president, what would have been different about this Saudi trip? In terms of the arms sales, maybe not a lot," Chollet told AFP. Many of the sales were set in motion months or years ago, but Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner scrambled to ensure the deal was finalised ahead of the US leader's visit to Saudi Arabia. According to The New York Times, he even called Lockheed Martin chief Marillyn Hewson to see if she could knock down the price of the THAAD system. Lockheed is one of the big winners from the deal, which also includes the sale of the firm's Multi-Mission Surface Combatant Ships and associated gear, for an estimated cost of more than $11 billion. These ships would allow Riyadh to increase patrols in the strategic Gulf and Red Sea straits in the face of Iranian threats. The "naval modernization plan would make Saudi Arabia a much more important partner in dealing with the asymmetric threat Iran poses in the Gulf," said Anthony Cordesman, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.The sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia has drawn broad ire internationally. For more than two years, Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition conducting air strikes and other operations against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Rights groups have repeatedly criticised the coalition over civilian casualties. Yemen "is on the brink of famine in part because the Saudis have intentionally destroyed transit hubs and key bridges, and blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid into Yemen," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote in an opinion piece. "By selling the Saudis these precision-guided weapons more, not fewer, civilians will be killed because it is Saudi Arabia's strategy to starve Yemenis to death to increase their own leverage at the negotiating table. They couldn't do this without the weapons we are selling them." Israel has expressed concerns about US arms sales to Saudi Arabia eroding its own defensive edge in the region, but the deal does not include the sale of F-35 stealth fighters, which the Jewish state now owns. "There is nothing in this package of sales, taken individually or as a whole, that will undermine Israel's qualitative military edge," Miller said. The cosy relationship Trump is fostering with Saudi Arabia belies the views of many of his supporters at home, who blame the kingdom for the September 11, 2001 terror attacks against America. Of the 19 hijackers of planes used that day, 15 came from Saudi Arabia, also the birthplace of Al-Qaeda founder and attack mastermind Osama bin Laden. (AFP)

US-Saudi arms mega deal seeks to counter Iran

In a diplomatic victory for India, Saudi Arabia has agreed to give exit visas to hundreds of jobless Indian workers there and will send them back home at its own expense. 
 
Making a suo motu statement in Indian parliament&#39;s upper house, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said Saudi Arabia has also agreed to provide free medical facility and food to the Indian workers stranded in camps and also allow those eligible to seek re-employment with other companies. 
 
Swaraj said her deputy and minister of state for foreign affairs V K Singh was camping in Saudi Arabia since Tuesday evening and will return after formalising the arrangements for the Indian workers. 
 
&quot;I am happy to inform that the Saudi ruler has taken note of the plight of Indian workers. Saudi King has instructed the officials to resolve the issue in two days,&quot; she said. 
 
Saudi Arabia, Swaraj said, has agreed to the Indian government&#39;s request to grant exit visas to the stranded worker. It has also offered to transport the workers to India. &quot;Government of India will not have to spend a penny on that,&quot; she said. 
 
The nation has also permitted workers to take re-employment if other companies find them suitable, she said, adding that before departing, the Indian workers will register their claims of unpaid salaries and other dues with the labour office of Saudi Arabia. 
 
Indian embassy in Riyadh will follow up with the Saudi Arabia&#39;s labour office to get all the dues of workers cleared, she said. 
 
Swaraj said the Saudi ruler has also issued orders to provide free medical and food to Indian workers lodged in the camps apart from all civic amenities. 
 
Thanking the Saudi ruler, she said this was possible because of the personal and diplomatic relationship maintained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Islamic nation. 
 
Leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad complimented the Indian and the Saudi governments for reaching a solution on the issue.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

Saudi has also agreed to provide free medical aid & food to the stranded Indian workers, the Indian foreign minister said

In a diplomatic victory for India, Saudi Arabia has agreed to give exit visas to hundreds of jobless Indian workers there and will send them back home at its own expense. Making a suo motu statement in Indian parliament's upper house, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said Saudi Arabia has also agreed to provide free medical facility and food to the Indian workers stranded in camps and also allow those eligible to seek re-employment with other companies. Swaraj said her deputy and minister of state for foreign affairs V K Singh was camping in Saudi Arabia since Tuesday evening and will return after formalising the arrangements for the Indian workers. "I am happy to inform that the Saudi ruler has taken note of the plight of Indian workers. Saudi King has instructed the officials to resolve the issue in two days," she said. Saudi Arabia, Swaraj said, has agreed to the Indian government's request to grant exit visas to the stranded worker. It has also offered to transport the workers to India. "Government of India will not have to spend a penny on that," she said. The nation has also permitted workers to take re-employment if other companies find them suitable, she said, adding that before departing, the Indian workers will register their claims of unpaid salaries and other dues with the labour office of Saudi Arabia. Indian embassy in Riyadh will follow up with the Saudi Arabia's labour office to get all the dues of workers cleared, she said. Swaraj said the Saudi ruler has also issued orders to provide free medical and food to Indian workers lodged in the camps apart from all civic amenities. Thanking the Saudi ruler, she said this was possible because of the personal and diplomatic relationship maintained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Islamic nation. Leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad complimented the Indian and the Saudi governments for reaching a solution on the issue. (PTI)

Saudi to send stranded Indian workers back at its expense

<div style="text-align: justify;">US&nbsp;President Barack Obama will meet with Saudi Arabia&#39;s powerful deputy crown prince on Friday and the two are expected to discuss conflicts in the Middle East including the campaign against Islamic State, a White House spokesman said on Thursday. 
 
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman, is on a visit to the United States aimed at restoring frayed relations with Washington and to promote a plan to slash the kingdom&#39;s dependence on oil revenues. Friday&#39;s meeting will take place at the White House. 
 
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss issues including the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and &quot;our cooperation with the Saudis in the campaign against ISIL,&quot; as Islamic State is also known. 
 
U.S. officials have expressed unease about the Saudi-led campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen, which has resulted in large-scale civilian casualties, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. 
 
Reuters reported last week that the UN&nbsp;had removed the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen from a child rights blacklist after intense pressure by Riyadh. 
 
Prince Mohammed, whose influence in Saudi governing counsels appears to be growing rapidly, is being given wide access to Obama&#39;s administration. 
 
He will visit the White House on Thursday afternoon to meet with Obama&#39;s National Economic Council to discuss the plan the prince is championing to transform the Saudi economy by 2030. US&nbsp;treasury secretary Jack Lew and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will be present. 
 
&quot;A lot of our economic officials this afternoon will be meeting with him about how to move that programme forward and adopt best practices,&quot; Schultz said 
 
Prince Mohammed, who is also the Saudi defence minister, also is due to meet US&nbsp;defence secretary Ash Carter at the Pentagon on Thursday. 
(Reuters)</div>

Deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman, is on a visit to the US aimed at restoring frayed relations with Washington

US President Barack Obama will meet with Saudi Arabia's powerful deputy crown prince on Friday and the two are expected to discuss conflicts in the Middle East including the campaign against Islamic State, a White House spokesman said on Thursday. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman, is on a visit to the United States aimed at restoring frayed relations with Washington and to promote a plan to slash the kingdom's dependence on oil revenues. Friday's meeting will take place at the White House. White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss issues including the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and "our cooperation with the Saudis in the campaign against ISIL," as Islamic State is also known. U.S. officials have expressed unease about the Saudi-led campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen, which has resulted in large-scale civilian casualties, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. Reuters reported last week that the UN had removed the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen from a child rights blacklist after intense pressure by Riyadh. Prince Mohammed, whose influence in Saudi governing counsels appears to be growing rapidly, is being given wide access to Obama's administration. He will visit the White House on Thursday afternoon to meet with Obama's National Economic Council to discuss the plan the prince is championing to transform the Saudi economy by 2030. US treasury secretary Jack Lew and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will be present. "A lot of our economic officials this afternoon will be meeting with him about how to move that programme forward and adopt best practices," Schultz said Prince Mohammed, who is also the Saudi defence minister, also is due to meet US defence secretary Ash Carter at the Pentagon on Thursday. (Reuters)

Obama to meet Saudi deputy crown prince on Friday:  White House

riyadh

Riyadh, News on Riyadh, stories on Riyadh, articles on Riyadh, Riyadh stories at Wion, Riyadh news, Riyadh latest news