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

France and Saudi Arabia have agreed a new intergovernmental accord to conclude weapons deals, a French defence ministry official said on Sunday.&nbsp

The agreement replaces a process that had been criticised by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the country's defence minister. Sources said the prince, who is known as MBS, wanted to make a break from past processes.

He arrived in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit.

"In conjunction with the Saudi authorities, France has initiated a new arms export strategy with Saudi Arabia, which until now has been managed by ODAS," the official said, referring to the organisation that currently handles French defence interests in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp

"It will now be covered by an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. The ODAS company will only provide for the termination of existing contracts." The official did not elaborate.&nbsp

France, the world's third-biggest arms exporter, counts Saudi Arabia among its biggest purchasers, and defence firms including Dassault and Thales have major contracts there.&nbsp

In recent years, Riyadh has bought French tanks, armoured vehicles, munitions and artillery and navy ships.

In 2016, licenses potentially worth 18 billion euros ($22.11 billion) to Saudi were approved, with deliveries worth about 2 billion euros.

The crown prince's visit comes amid growing pressure on Macron at home from lawmakers and rights groups over France's weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

A private letter sent to Macron from 12 international non-governmental organizations last week urged him to pressure MBS to ease a blockade on Yemeni ports and suspend French arms sales.

French daily newspaper Les Echos on Friday said a deal could be signed for navy patrol boats from CMN, while Le Telegramme reported a possible deal for Caesar artillery canons from Nexter.&nbsp

Neither company responded to requests for comment, and the French presidency has played down possible contracts.&nbsp

A Saudi offical said Riyadh would continue to buy military equipment despite public criticism, especially for its navy.&nbsp

In recent years, Riyadh has bought French tanks, armoured vehicles, munitions and artillery and navy ships

France and Saudi Arabia have agreed a new intergovernmental accord to conclude weapons deals, a French defence ministry official said on Sunday. The agreement replaces a process that had been criticised by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the country's defence minister. Sources said the prince, who is known as MBS, wanted to make a break from past processes. He arrived in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit. "In conjunction with the Saudi authorities, France has initiated a new arms export strategy with Saudi Arabia, which until now has been managed by ODAS," the official said, referring to the organisation that currently handles French defence interests in Saudi Arabia. "It will now be covered by an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. The ODAS company will only provide for the termination of existing contracts." The official did not elaborate. France, the world's third-biggest arms exporter, counts Saudi Arabia among its biggest purchasers, and defence firms including Dassault and Thales have major contracts there. In recent years, Riyadh has bought French tanks, armoured vehicles, munitions and artillery and navy ships. In 2016, licenses potentially worth 18 billion euros ($22.11 billion) to Saudi were approved, with deliveries worth about 2 billion euros. The crown prince's visit comes amid growing pressure on Macron at home from lawmakers and rights groups over France's weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. A private letter sent to Macron from 12 international non-governmental organizations last week urged him to pressure MBS to ease a blockade on Yemeni ports and suspend French arms sales. French daily newspaper Les Echos on Friday said a deal could be signed for navy patrol boats from CMN, while Le Telegramme reported a possible deal for Caesar artillery canons from Nexter. Neither company responded to requests for comment, and the French presidency has played down possible contracts. A Saudi offical said Riyadh would continue to buy military equipment despite public criticism, especially for its navy.

France, Saudi Arabia agree new defence contracts strategy

In its&nbsp;latest attempt to counter Islamic extremism, Bangladesh has launched campaign worth&nbsp;billions&nbsp;of dollars.

Under the campaign, Bangladesh will build hundreds of 'model mosques' or cultural centres to preach against distorted Islamic philosophy.

A part of the funding for the initiative would come from Saudi Arabia, reports added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated nine mosques through a video conference on Thursday.

A senior official said that 560 'model mosques cum cultural centers' will be built in the next 30 months as part of government's attempt to fight extremism.

“In the next one to one and a half months, work on another 100 mosques will begin,” news agency AFP quoted Shahmim Afzal, who heads the government &nbsp;Islamic affairs department as saying.

These mosques would be equipped with libraries and cultural centres and unlike other mosques of the country, these will be opened for women as well.

As this year is the election year for Bangladesh some experts have considered this move to be purely aimed at political gains and to win over radical opposition forces.

In recent years Hasina has cracked down on hard-line groups, and tried and executed leaders of extremist groups accused of war crimes. She has made secularism part of Bangladesh’s constitution.

“Ahead of the elections, she is adjusting her secular stand by leaning toward a more rightist Islamist position,” Rahman said. 
Hasina has said a general election will be held this year.

Some 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s 160 million people are Muslims.

(With inputs from AFP)

In a latest attempt to counter Islamic extremism, Bangladesh has launched campaign worth of billion dollars

In its latest attempt to counter Islamic extremism, Bangladesh has launched campaign worth billions of dollars. Under the campaign, Bangladesh will build hundreds of 'model mosques' or cultural centres to preach against distorted Islamic philosophy. A part of the funding for the initiative would come from Saudi Arabia, reports added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated nine mosques through a video conference on Thursday. A senior official said that 560 'model mosques cum cultural centers' will be built in the next 30 months as part of government's attempt to fight extremism. “In the next one to one and a half months, work on another 100 mosques will begin,” news agency AFP quoted Shahmim Afzal, who heads the government Islamic affairs department as saying. These mosques would be equipped with libraries and cultural centres and unlike other mosques of the country, these will be opened for women as well. As this year is the election year for Bangladesh some experts have considered this move to be purely aimed at political gains and to win over radical opposition forces. In recent years Hasina has cracked down on hard-line groups, and tried and executed leaders of extremist groups accused of war crimes. She has made secularism part of Bangladesh’s constitution. “Ahead of the elections, she is adjusting her secular stand by leaning toward a more rightist Islamist position,” Rahman said. Hasina has said a general election will be held this year. Some 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s 160 million people are Muslims. (With inputs from AFP)

Bangladesh launches billion dollar campaign to tackle extremism

Saudi Arabia's crown prince travels Sunday to France on the next leg of his global tour, extending his diplomatic charm offensive as he seeks to project a new liberal image of his conservative kingdom.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day official visit, which starts Monday, comes after a weeks-long tour of the United States, Britain and Egypt, where the self-styled moderniser courted business leaders and signed a host of multimillion-dollar deals.&nbsp

French President Emmanuel Macron treads a delicate line as he hosts the king-in-waiting in a visit expected to focus on cultural ties and investments, as well as the long-running war in Yemen, dubbed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

"This is not a traditional state visit," a source close to the crown prince's delegation told AFP.&nbsp

"It is about forging a new partnership with France, not just shopping for deals."

More than a dozen memorandums of understanding in tourism, energy and transportation are set to be signed between French and Saudi organisations, another source close to the delegation told AFP.&nbsp

A Franco-Saudi cooperation deal to develop Al Ula, a Saudi city richly endowed with archaeological remnants, is also expected to be a central highlight of the visit, he added.&nbsp

Enduring scepticism&nbsp

Prince Mohammed's first visit to France as the heir to the Saudi throne comes after a tumultuous period at home that saw a major military shake-up and a royal purge as he consolidates power to a level unseen by previous rulers.&nbsp

His global tour is meant to "garner recognition and acceptance as the de facto leader and next king of Saudi Arabia," Bernard Haykel, a professor at Princeton University, told AFP.&nbsp

"This is a signal both to domestic as well as international observers that he is in charge and can leave the country for several weeks without any challenge to his authority," he added.

The 32-year-old prince, well-known as MBS, has used his global tour to project his dazzling reforms including the historic lifting of a ban on women driving, cinemas and mixed-gender concerts, following his public vow to return the kingdom to moderate Islam.

"There is little genuine affection for Saudi Arabia across the West," Kristin Diwan, of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP.&nbsp

"MBS's clear break with Saudi taboos on women and religious tolerance have been welcomed, but with a fair amount of enduring scepticism."

Underlying tensions

Saudi officials project strong ties between Prince Mohammed and Macron, both young leaders undertaking the difficult task of reforming their countries, but the trip follows a period of underlying tensions.&nbsp

Macron waded into a regional crisis last November when Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri tendered his resignation on live television from Riyadh, apparently under pressure from the crown prince.&nbsp

Macron invited Hariri to Paris for talks and he has since rescinded his resignation.&nbsp

"There were tensions when MBS reportedly attempted to challenge Macron in his role in the Hariri episode, but later MBS had to back down," said Abdullah Alaoudh, a Saudi scholar at Yale Law School.&nbsp

"It's never easy for an authoritarian like him to accept that."&nbsp

In another embarrassment, a French arrest warrant was issued in December against the crown prince's sister for allegedly ordering her bodyguard to beat up a worker at her Paris apartment in 2016.&nbsp

Macron also faces the challenge of bolstering ties with the world's top crude exporter while managing other regional relationships in the Middle East.&nbsp

The crown prince has emphasised closer ties with US President Donald Trump just as Macron has sought to improve relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-nemesis.

Trump has threatened to abandon the 2015 nuclear cooperation deal with Iran unless improvements are proposed by May 12.

The challenge for Macron is to convince the crown prince that "it is better to have the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran than no deal at all," Denis Bauchard, of the &nbspFrench Institute of International Relations, told AFP.

Macron also faces seething criticism from over the export of arms to Saudi Arabia, including Caesar artillery guns, sniper rifles and armoured vehicles despite the kingdom's role in the Yemen crisis.&nbsp

Three out of four French people believe it is "unacceptable" to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, according to a poll last month by independent research group YouGov.

And this week, 10 international rights groups implored Macron to pressure Prince Mohammed over the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen.&nbsp

But there are several areas of convergence, including anti-terrorism cooperation as France mourns the latest jihadist rampage in the towns of Carcassonne and Trebes last month where a 25-year-old Islamist killed four people.

The incident triggered a new debate in France over radical Salafist interpretations of Islam which originated in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp

Macron's office said the trip would also focus on investment in the digital economy as well as renewable energy, as the oil-rich kingdom invests billions of dollars in the sector in a bid to diversify.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince travels Sunday to France on the next leg of his global tour, extending his diplomatic charm offensive as he seeks to project a new liberal image of his conservative kingdom

Saudi Arabia's crown prince travels Sunday to France on the next leg of his global tour, extending his diplomatic charm offensive as he seeks to project a new liberal image of his conservative kingdom. Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day official visit, which starts Monday, comes after a weeks-long tour of the United States, Britain and Egypt, where the self-styled moderniser courted business leaders and signed a host of multimillion-dollar deals. French President Emmanuel Macron treads a delicate line as he hosts the king-in-waiting in a visit expected to focus on cultural ties and investments, as well as the long-running war in Yemen, dubbed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. "This is not a traditional state visit," a source close to the crown prince's delegation told AFP. "It is about forging a new partnership with France, not just shopping for deals." More than a dozen memorandums of understanding in tourism, energy and transportation are set to be signed between French and Saudi organisations, another source close to the delegation told AFP. A Franco-Saudi cooperation deal to develop Al Ula, a Saudi city richly endowed with archaeological remnants, is also expected to be a central highlight of the visit, he added. Enduring scepticism Prince Mohammed's first visit to France as the heir to the Saudi throne comes after a tumultuous period at home that saw a major military shake-up and a royal purge as he consolidates power to a level unseen by previous rulers. His global tour is meant to "garner recognition and acceptance as the de facto leader and next king of Saudi Arabia," Bernard Haykel, a professor at Princeton University, told AFP. "This is a signal both to domestic as well as international observers that he is in charge and can leave the country for several weeks without any challenge to his authority," he added. The 32-year-old prince, well-known as MBS, has used his global tour to project his dazzling reforms including the historic lifting of a ban on women driving, cinemas and mixed-gender concerts, following his public vow to return the kingdom to moderate Islam. "There is little genuine affection for Saudi Arabia across the West," Kristin Diwan, of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP. "MBS's clear break with Saudi taboos on women and religious tolerance have been welcomed, but with a fair amount of enduring scepticism." Underlying tensions Saudi officials project strong ties between Prince Mohammed and Macron, both young leaders undertaking the difficult task of reforming their countries, but the trip follows a period of underlying tensions. Macron waded into a regional crisis last November when Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri tendered his resignation on live television from Riyadh, apparently under pressure from the crown prince. Macron invited Hariri to Paris for talks and he has since rescinded his resignation. "There were tensions when MBS reportedly attempted to challenge Macron in his role in the Hariri episode, but later MBS had to back down," said Abdullah Alaoudh, a Saudi scholar at Yale Law School. "It's never easy for an authoritarian like him to accept that." In another embarrassment, a French arrest warrant was issued in December against the crown prince's sister for allegedly ordering her bodyguard to beat up a worker at her Paris apartment in 2016. Macron also faces the challenge of bolstering ties with the world's top crude exporter while managing other regional relationships in the Middle East. The crown prince has emphasised closer ties with US President Donald Trump just as Macron has sought to improve relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-nemesis. Trump has threatened to abandon the 2015 nuclear cooperation deal with Iran unless improvements are proposed by May 12. The challenge for Macron is to convince the crown prince that "it is better to have the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran than no deal at all," Denis Bauchard, of the &nbspFrench Institute of International Relations, told AFP. Macron also faces seething criticism from over the export of arms to Saudi Arabia, including Caesar artillery guns, sniper rifles and armoured vehicles despite the kingdom's role in the Yemen crisis. Three out of four French people believe it is "unacceptable" to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, according to a poll last month by independent research group YouGov. And this week, 10 international rights groups implored Macron to pressure Prince Mohammed over the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen. But there are several areas of convergence, including anti-terrorism cooperation as France mourns the latest jihadist rampage in the towns of Carcassonne and Trebes last month where a 25-year-old Islamist killed four people. The incident triggered a new debate in France over radical Salafist interpretations of Islam which originated in Saudi Arabia. Macron's office said the trip would also focus on investment in the digital economy as well as renewable energy, as the oil-rich kingdom invests billions of dollars in the sector in a bid to diversify.

Saudi crown prince to visit France in whirlwind global tour

Saudi Arabia is all set to open first cinema hall after more than 35 years in April and according to reports the first movie that is scheduled to screen is recent Marvel release 'Black Panther'.

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News agency Reuters reported citing Riyadh authorities that theatre will open on April 18 in the King Abdulla Financial district, Riyadh.

The building in which the theatre will open was originally built&nbsp;to be a symphony concert hall.

In 2017 as part of their new reforms to boost the economy and reduce its dependence on oil pushed by Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on cinema halls.

Though the country had cinemas around the 1970s but it was subsequently closed down.

Unlike other public places in Saudi Arabia, the theatre will not be segregated by gender. The main theatre will have the seating arrangement for 500 people. It will also have orchestra and balcony levels.

Three more screens are expected to be added by the mid-year. 
&nbsp; 
Chief Executive Adam Aron of AMC Entertainment Holdings said "we think it's going to be the prettiest movie theatre in the world," adding "It's a dramatic building," Reuters reported.

John Fithian, president of the US-based National Association of Theatre Owners said that "he met government officials in Riyadh in December to work out issues such as what type of material would be permitted on movie screens," Reuters reported.

"He believes most Hollywood movies will be allowed, though some will require editing," he added.&nbsp;

According to reports Saudi Arabia has planned to set up around 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens by 2030 in hope to attract $1 billion through annual ticket sales.

Saudi Arabia is all set to open first cinema hall after more than 35 years in April and according to reports the first movie that is scheduled to screen is recent Marvel release 'Black Panther'

Saudi Arabia is all set to open first cinema hall after more than 35 years in April and according to reports the first movie that is scheduled to screen is recent Marvel release 'Black Panther'. × News agency Reuters reported citing Riyadh authorities that theatre will open on April 18 in the King Abdulla Financial district, Riyadh. The building in which the theatre will open was originally built to be a symphony concert hall. In 2017 as part of their new reforms to boost the economy and reduce its dependence on oil pushed by Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on cinema halls. Though the country had cinemas around the 1970s but it was subsequently closed down. Unlike other public places in Saudi Arabia, the theatre will not be segregated by gender. The main theatre will have the seating arrangement for 500 people. It will also have orchestra and balcony levels. Three more screens are expected to be added by the mid-year. Chief Executive Adam Aron of AMC Entertainment Holdings said "we think it's going to be the prettiest movie theatre in the world," adding "It's a dramatic building," Reuters reported. John Fithian, president of the US-based National Association of Theatre Owners said that "he met government officials in Riyadh in December to work out issues such as what type of material would be permitted on movie screens," Reuters reported. "He believes most Hollywood movies will be allowed, though some will require editing," he added. According to reports Saudi Arabia has planned to set up around 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens by 2030 in hope to attract $1 billion through annual ticket sales.

Saudi Arabia to open first movie theatre on April 18

The US and Israel have agreed to continue their close coordination on countering Iran's "malign influence" and destabilising activities, amid Saudi Arabia's change in position on the Jewish nation, the White House said.

US President Donald Trump called Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday and discussed the developments in the Middle East.

Trump's call comes amidst a statement from the Saudi Crown Prince who said Israel has a "right" to a homeland, a shift in Saudi Arabia's position.

"Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to address recent developments in the Middle East," the White House said in a readout of the call.

"President Trump reiterated the commitment of the United States to Israel's security and the two leaders agreed to continue their close coordination on countering Iran's malign influence and destabilising activities," the White House said.

Trump spoke earlier with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who asked the President to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and emphasised Saudi Arabia's support for the creation a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Trump and the Saudi king also discussed the situation in Yemen and Iran's activities across the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia and Israel still have no formal diplomatic relations, but improvements in their ties have accelerated in recent years.

Both countries see Iran as their biggest outside threat and the US as their key ally.

Prince Salman said he believes that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation.

"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," he said.

Trump's call comes amidst a statement from the Saudi Crown Prince who said Israel has a "right" to a homeland, a shift in Saudi Arabia's position

The US and Israel have agreed to continue their close coordination on countering Iran's "malign influence" and destabilising activities, amid Saudi Arabia's change in position on the Jewish nation, the White House said. US President Donald Trump called Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday and discussed the developments in the Middle East. Trump's call comes amidst a statement from the Saudi Crown Prince who said Israel has a "right" to a homeland, a shift in Saudi Arabia's position. "Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to address recent developments in the Middle East," the White House said in a readout of the call. "President Trump reiterated the commitment of the United States to Israel's security and the two leaders agreed to continue their close coordination on countering Iran's malign influence and destabilising activities," the White House said. Trump spoke earlier with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who asked the President to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and emphasised Saudi Arabia's support for the creation a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Trump and the Saudi king also discussed the situation in Yemen and Iran's activities across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and Israel still have no formal diplomatic relations, but improvements in their ties have accelerated in recent years. Both countries see Iran as their biggest outside threat and the US as their key ally. Prince Salman said he believes that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation. "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," he said.

Trump and Netanyahu confer over recent developments in Israel

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

A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia`s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.

US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs` allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a 2016 federal law.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks in which hijacked airplanes crashed into New York`s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, DC, and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3,000 people died.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision. At a Saudi stock market event in New York, asked whether the court decision would have a negative impact on Saudi investment in the United States, Capital Market Authority Chairman Mohammed A. ElKuwaiz declined to comment, saying he had not seen the news.

Daniels` decision covers claims by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and many businesses and insurers.

The judge also dismissed claims that two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family, provided funds and financial services for the attacks, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from September 11 lawsuits in the United States.

That changed in September 2016, when the US Congress overrode President Barack Obama`s veto of JASTA, allowing such cases to proceed.

Obama had warned that the law could expose US companies, troops and officials to lawsuits in other countries.

Daniels said the plaintiffs could try to prove that Saudi Arabia was liable for the alleged activities of Fahad al Thumairy, an imam at the King Fahad Mosque in Culver City, California, and Omar al Bayoumi, said to be an intelligence officer.

They were accused of helping two hijackers acclimate themselves to the United States, and begin preparing for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia had argued that the plaintiffs could not show that any Saudi official, employee or agent planned or carried out the attacks.

James Kreindler, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs, said he was "delighted" the case can proceed.

"We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks," he said in a phone interview.

The judge also dismissed claims against the state-affiliated charity Saudi High Commission for Relief of Bosnia & Herzegovina, saying the plaintiffs` "guilt-by-association" claims did not overcome its presumption of immunity.

The case is In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 03-md-01570.

A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia`s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims

A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia`s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims. US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs` allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a 2016 federal law. The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks in which hijacked airplanes crashed into New York`s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, DC, and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3,000 people died. Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision. At a Saudi stock market event in New York, asked whether the court decision would have a negative impact on Saudi investment in the United States, Capital Market Authority Chairman Mohammed A. ElKuwaiz declined to comment, saying he had not seen the news. Daniels` decision covers claims by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and many businesses and insurers. The judge also dismissed claims that two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family, provided funds and financial services for the attacks, saying he lacked jurisdiction. Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from September 11 lawsuits in the United States. That changed in September 2016, when the US Congress overrode President Barack Obama`s veto of JASTA, allowing such cases to proceed. Obama had warned that the law could expose US companies, troops and officials to lawsuits in other countries. Daniels said the plaintiffs could try to prove that Saudi Arabia was liable for the alleged activities of Fahad al Thumairy, an imam at the King Fahad Mosque in Culver City, California, and Omar al Bayoumi, said to be an intelligence officer. They were accused of helping two hijackers acclimate themselves to the United States, and begin preparing for the attacks. Saudi Arabia had argued that the plaintiffs could not show that any Saudi official, employee or agent planned or carried out the attacks. James Kreindler, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs, said he was "delighted" the case can proceed. "We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks," he said in a phone interview. The judge also dismissed claims against the state-affiliated charity Saudi High Commission for Relief of Bosnia & Herzegovina, saying the plaintiffs` "guilt-by-association" claims did not overcome its presumption of immunity. The case is In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 03-md-01570.

Saudi Arabia must face US lawsuits over September 11 attacks

France on Thursday accused Iran of supplying weapons to Huthi rebels waging a three-year fight against a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and rejected Tehran's denial.

"There is a problem in Yemen: it is that the political process has not begun, that Saudi Arabia feels regularly attacked by the Huthis, who are themselves supplied with arms by Iran," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told RTL radio.

Iran has said it supports the Huthis' cause in Yemen but has repeatedly denied arming them, despite claims by the United States and Saudi Arabia of evidence of weapon shipments.

Le Drian's comments come just days before an official visit to France by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has threatened Iran with retaliation after Huthi rebels fired seven missiles into Saudia Arabia last weekend.

Riyadh said Iran supplied the missiles which struck the capital as well as three cities close to the Yemeni border, killing one person and injuring two.

On Tuesday Iran's Revolutionary Guards rejected the accusation, saying it would be impossible to get them through the blockade imposed against Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition.

Le Drian's bolstering of Riyadh's claims could strain ties between Iran and France ahead of an expected visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Tehran in the coming months, the first by a French head of state or government since 1976.

France has resisted international pressure to stop supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the main players in the coalition which supports Yemen's pro-government forces.&nbsp;

Amnesty International last week said the shipments by France, along with the US and Britain, had contributed to the deaths of thousands of civilians in attacks by coalition forces.

But Le Drian insisted Thursday that the weapon sales complied with international law.

"We have a very rigorous framework on weapon exports which we adhere to with great vigilance," he said.

Stepping up pressure

The conflict in Yemen, which has killed an estimated 10,000 people, comes as Iran is under increasing pressure over its role in several Middle East conflicts.

Le Drian visited Tehran in early March to lay the groundwork for Macron's coming visit, and to discuss the landmark 2015 deal with international powers that curtailed Iran's nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to walk away from the deal and reimpose sanctions on Iran when it next comes up for renewal by the American president in May.

Although Macron along with other European leaders has made no secret of his desire to secure the deal, he has repeatedly criticised Tehran's ballistic missile programme.

He has also called on Tehran to rein in the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad after weeks of assaults by his forces against rebels in Eastern Ghouta, which has prompted tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Iran and Russia are Bashar's main backers in his war against a rebellion launched in 2011.

Le Drian said Thursday that Macron was still planning to visit Russia in May "for the time being", despite rapidly deteriorating relations between Moscow and the West over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain.

"We want a frank discussion with Moscow, a demanding one without any ambiguity, to ask Moscow to respect international law," he said.

France on Thursday accused Iran of supplying weapons to Huthi rebels waging a three-year fight against a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and rejected Tehran's denial

France on Thursday accused Iran of supplying weapons to Huthi rebels waging a three-year fight against a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and rejected Tehran's denial. "There is a problem in Yemen: it is that the political process has not begun, that Saudi Arabia feels regularly attacked by the Huthis, who are themselves supplied with arms by Iran," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told RTL radio. Iran has said it supports the Huthis' cause in Yemen but has repeatedly denied arming them, despite claims by the United States and Saudi Arabia of evidence of weapon shipments. Le Drian's comments come just days before an official visit to France by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has threatened Iran with retaliation after Huthi rebels fired seven missiles into Saudia Arabia last weekend. Riyadh said Iran supplied the missiles which struck the capital as well as three cities close to the Yemeni border, killing one person and injuring two. On Tuesday Iran's Revolutionary Guards rejected the accusation, saying it would be impossible to get them through the blockade imposed against Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition. Le Drian's bolstering of Riyadh's claims could strain ties between Iran and France ahead of an expected visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Tehran in the coming months, the first by a French head of state or government since 1976. France has resisted international pressure to stop supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the main players in the coalition which supports Yemen's pro-government forces. Amnesty International last week said the shipments by France, along with the US and Britain, had contributed to the deaths of thousands of civilians in attacks by coalition forces. But Le Drian insisted Thursday that the weapon sales complied with international law. "We have a very rigorous framework on weapon exports which we adhere to with great vigilance," he said. Stepping up pressure The conflict in Yemen, which has killed an estimated 10,000 people, comes as Iran is under increasing pressure over its role in several Middle East conflicts. Le Drian visited Tehran in early March to lay the groundwork for Macron's coming visit, and to discuss the landmark 2015 deal with international powers that curtailed Iran's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump has threatened to walk away from the deal and reimpose sanctions on Iran when it next comes up for renewal by the American president in May. Although Macron along with other European leaders has made no secret of his desire to secure the deal, he has repeatedly criticised Tehran's ballistic missile programme. He has also called on Tehran to rein in the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad after weeks of assaults by his forces against rebels in Eastern Ghouta, which has prompted tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Iran and Russia are Bashar's main backers in his war against a rebellion launched in 2011. Le Drian said Thursday that Macron was still planning to visit Russia in May "for the time being", despite rapidly deteriorating relations between Moscow and the West over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain. "We want a frank discussion with Moscow, a demanding one without any ambiguity, to ask Moscow to respect international law," he said.

France accuses Iran of arming Yemen's Huthi rebels

The United States federal judge&nbspdismissed the motion filed by New York accusing Saudi Arabia of playing a role in 9/11 attacks.

According to report the judge George Daniels dismissing the lawsuits said that the plaintiffs' lawsuit meets the requirements of the to court to proceed under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

The judge reportedly said that the lawsuit,&nbsp"narrowly articulate a reasonable basis".

Daniel the same judge has rejected same claims in the past.

US Congress passed Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in 2016 which permits to sue a foreign state if such state was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States Department of State.

In a further hearing, he dismissed the claims against two Saudi Banks and construction company with ties to Osama Bin Laden citing the reason that it lacks jurisdiction.

Thousands of people were killed in a terrorist attack on World Trade Centre in 2001.

In 2001, Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda carried out a coordinated attack on World Trade Centre killing at least 2,996 people and injuring over 6,000 people.

The attack caused infrastructure damage of $10 billion.

The judge reportedly said that the lawsuit, 'narrowly articulate a reasonable basis'

The United States federal judge&nbspdismissed the motion filed by New York accusing Saudi Arabia of playing a role in 9/11 attacks. According to report the judge George Daniels dismissing the lawsuits said that the plaintiffs' lawsuit meets the requirements of the to court to proceed under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The judge reportedly said that the lawsuit, "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis". Daniel the same judge has rejected same claims in the past. US Congress passed Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in 2016 which permits to sue a foreign state if such state was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States Department of State. In a further hearing, he dismissed the claims against two Saudi Banks and construction company with ties to Osama Bin Laden citing the reason that it lacks jurisdiction. Thousands of people were killed in a terrorist attack on World Trade Centre in 2001. In 2001, Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda carried out a coordinated attack on World Trade Centre killing at least 2,996 people and injuring over 6,000 people. The attack caused infrastructure damage of $10 billion.

US judge rejects Saudi motion to drop 9/11 charges

India, today strongly condemned renewed missile attacks targeting civilian areas in Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia and reiterated its resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms.

According to Saudi authorities, one person was killed after seven missiles were fired from Yemen by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday.

"We strongly condemn the renewed missile attacks targeting civilian areas in the direction of Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia. We are deeply concerned about the escalating situation threatening the lives of innocent civilians. We reiterate our resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms," the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.

The missiles were fired at four targets, including the capital city of Riyadh, and all were intercepted and destroyed, said spokesman of the Saudi coalition forces for supporting the legitimacy in Yemen Colonel Turki Al-Malki in a statement yesterday.

Fragments from the intercepted missiles killed an Egyptian resident, the statement added.&nbsp

India reiterated its resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms

India, today strongly condemned renewed missile attacks targeting civilian areas in Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia and reiterated its resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms. According to Saudi authorities, one person was killed after seven missiles were fired from Yemen by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday. "We strongly condemn the renewed missile attacks targeting civilian areas in the direction of Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia. We are deeply concerned about the escalating situation threatening the lives of innocent civilians. We reiterate our resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms," the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said. The missiles were fired at four targets, including the capital city of Riyadh, and all were intercepted and destroyed, said spokesman of the Saudi coalition forces for supporting the legitimacy in Yemen Colonel Turki Al-Malki in a statement yesterday. Fragments from the intercepted missiles killed an Egyptian resident, the statement added.

India condemns missile attacks on Saudi Arabia

Israel's national airline El Al appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace fearing financial damage to it and view it as aerial discrimination.

Israel's national airline has filed a suit against Israel government, the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the transportation minister, Yisrael Katz and Air India.

According to reports, the El Al has asked the court to either give a similar permit to them or prevent Air India from taking the shorter route.

El Al says it is the victim of unfair competition. News agency Reuters reported El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin saying, ''the State of Israel does not understand the extent of the damage caused by the government."

"Today it is India, tomorrow it will be Thailand and all the east. It is impossible to assess the damage caused by this decision for the company's 6,000 employees," he added.

Air India started using the new direct route from March 22 to Tel Aviv while crossing the Saudi Arabian airspace after Saudi Arabia granted permission in January.

The new route reduces the travel duration to two hours. Saudi Arabia had banned any commercial bound flight to cross its airspace but the Indian government brokered the "peace flight" amid tensions in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia has so far not allowed Israeli carriers to use its airspace as the Saudi does not have any official diplomatic relations with Israel.

Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab nations which have relations with Isreal.

Israel's national carrier El Al currently operates from Mumbai takes a detour over the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The new air link between Tel Aviv and New Delhi was announced in July last year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, but it was not until January that the pair suggested it might use Saudi airspace.

Transport Minister Yisrael Katz described Air India's overflight of Saudi Arabia as "historic".

Israel's national airline El Al appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace fearing financial damage to it and view it as aerial discrimination

Israel's national airline El Al appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace fearing financial damage to it and view it as aerial discrimination. Israel's national airline has filed a suit against Israel government, the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the transportation minister, Yisrael Katz and Air India. According to reports, the El Al has asked the court to either give a similar permit to them or prevent Air India from taking the shorter route. El Al says it is the victim of unfair competition. News agency Reuters reported El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin saying, ''the State of Israel does not understand the extent of the damage caused by the government." "Today it is India, tomorrow it will be Thailand and all the east. It is impossible to assess the damage caused by this decision for the company's 6,000 employees," he added. Air India started using the new direct route from March 22 to Tel Aviv while crossing the Saudi Arabian airspace after Saudi Arabia granted permission in January. The new route reduces the travel duration to two hours. Saudi Arabia had banned any commercial bound flight to cross its airspace but the Indian government brokered the "peace flight" amid tensions in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has so far not allowed Israeli carriers to use its airspace as the Saudi does not have any official diplomatic relations with Israel. Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab nations which have relations with Isreal. Israel's national carrier El Al currently operates from Mumbai takes a detour over the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran. The new air link between Tel Aviv and New Delhi was announced in July last year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, but it was not until January that the pair suggested it might use Saudi airspace. Transport Minister Yisrael Katz described Air India's overflight of Saudi Arabia as "historic".

Israel's El Al appeals against Air India flights over Saudi Arabia

In his effort to improve Saudi Arabia’s badly tarnished image and project the kingdom as embracing an unidentified form of moderate Islam, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has hinted that he envisions a conservative rather than an ultra-conservative society. But this is not one in which citizens are fully free to make personal, let alone political choices of their own. Prince Mohammed’s vision, although not spelled out in great detail, seemed evident in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS News, his first with a Western television program, on the eve of a three-week trip that is taking him across the United States.

The trip is designed to cement relations with the Trump administration following the dismissal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Prince Mohammed and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed, viewed Tillerson as unenthusiastic about their hegemonic designs for a swath of land stretching across the Middle East from the Horn of Africa to South Asia, including the Saudi-Emirati-led boycott of Qatar.

The visit comes barely a month before President Donald Trump has to decide whether to pull the US out of the 2015 international agreement with Iran designed to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. A withdrawal could lead to the agreement’s collapse and spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,” Prince Mohammed told CBS.

The prince’s trip is also intended to project the kingdom as a beacon of moderation - rather than a promoter of ultra-conservatism - and cutting-edge modernity led by a young reformist but autocratic king-in-waiting. 
Prince Mohammed and President Trump

In a meeting at the White House, Prince Mohammed and President Trump touted the economic benefits of the two countries’ relationship, with massive US arms sales and other deals, including nuclear sales that would involve reducing US safeguards by giving the kingdom the right to enrich uranium. Both leaders asserted that the deals would significantly boost employment in both Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Prince Mohammed is also scheduled to meet members of Congress, think tanks and academics, oil executives, businessmen and representatives of Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry and Hollywood.

Both Prince Mohammed and Trump need to demonstrate economic progress to boost or cement their popularity at home. The crown prince needs to show to Saudis that he is feted as a leader despite mounting international criticism of his conduct in the Yemen war, his domestic power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, the kingdom’s long-standing political and social restrictions, and its four-decade-long global support for ultra-conservative Sunni Islam.

Beyond concern about the high civilian casualty rate in Yemen and the war having sparked one of the worst humanitarian crises of today, many fear that potentially destabilizing anti-Saudi sentiment in the ravaged country will persist long after the guns fall silent. Those fears are reinforced by contradictory Saudi measures. While on the one hand pledging billions of dollars in aid and allowing at least some relief to get into Yemen, Saudi Arabia has aggravated the crisis by expelling tens of thousands of Yemeni workers in recent months.

Prince Mohammed also needs to demonstrate that he can attract foreign investment despite the arbitrary nature of the arrest in November 2017 of hundreds of senior members of the ruling al-Saud family, prominent businessmen and high-ranking officials, and reports that at least some of them were abused and tortured during their detention.

Most of the detainees were released after surrendering control of assets and/or paying substantial amounts of money. The government said it expects to raise $100 billion from the asset grab. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the most prominent detainees and the kingdom’s most-high-profile businessman, who seemed to put up a fight during his detention, has since his release in January said that he would be investing in some of Prince Mohammed’s pet projects. 
Reform in Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed has bolstered his image by vowing to return Saudi Arabia to an unidentified form of moderate Islam forcing the country’s ultra-conservative religious establishment to endorse his reforms suggesting that the kingdom may halt its massive global funding of Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism to counter Iran’s revolutionary zeal surrendering control of the Saudi-managed Great Mosque in Brussels granting women the right to drive, join the military and attend male sporting events and creating a modern entertainment sector.

Despite the boldness of his moves, the crown prince has sent mixed messages about how far he is prepared to go. Women and men mix at concerts and theater plays but are segregated in the three sport stadiums that have been declared open to women.

While the crown prince has been decisive in his power and asset grab, he has yet to say a clear word about lifting Saudi Arabia’s system of male guardianship that gives male relatives control of their lives. Similarly, there is no indication that gender segregation in restaurants and other public places will be lifted. Asked about the guardianship, Prince Mohammed evaded specifics. “Today, Saudi women still have not received their full rights. There are rights stipulated in Islam that they still don’t have. We have come a very long way and have a short way to go,” he said to CBS News.

Middle East scholar As’ad Abu Khalil, whose blog is named The Angry Arab News Service, posted a picture of Prince Mohammed meeting with President Trump, noting that there was not one woman on either side of the conference table.

Speaking Arabic despite having learned to speak English by watching movies, Prince Mohammed appeared in his CBS interview to defend allowing a mingling of the sexes in the workplace, while shying away from ultra-conservative Islam’s ban on a man meeting a woman unaccompanied by a male relative in non-professional or non-public settings. “We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a workplace,” Prince Mohammed said.

The crown prince conceded that women had the right to determine what to wear if their clothes were “decent, respectful clothing, like men.” He did not define what would constitute decent but insisted that it did not have to be a “black abaya or a black head cover.”

No doubt, Prince Mohammed’s social reforms and promised economic change provide him significant arrows in his multimillion-dollar PR blitz. That is getting him the support of the White House. “Getting a strong presidential endorsement of the crown prince's trip to the US. to encourage investment in Saudi Arabia, that, I think, could be something that could be done," said Anthony H Cordesman, the Arleigh A Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Translating that into real policy and dollars could, however, prove to be a harder sell.

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/mohammed-bin-salman-us-trip-gulf-news-saudi-arabia-07978/">article</a> was originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/">Fair Observer</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp

Prince Mohammed’s social reforms and promised economic change in Saudi Arabia provide him significant arrows in his multimillion-dollar PR blitz.

In his effort to improve Saudi Arabia’s badly tarnished image and project the kingdom as embracing an unidentified form of moderate Islam, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has hinted that he envisions a conservative rather than an ultra-conservative society. But this is not one in which citizens are fully free to make personal, let alone political choices of their own. Prince Mohammed’s vision, although not spelled out in great detail, seemed evident in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS News, his first with a Western television program, on the eve of a three-week trip that is taking him across the United States. The trip is designed to cement relations with the Trump administration following the dismissal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Prince Mohammed and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed, viewed Tillerson as unenthusiastic about their hegemonic designs for a swath of land stretching across the Middle East from the Horn of Africa to South Asia, including the Saudi-Emirati-led boycott of Qatar. The visit comes barely a month before President Donald Trump has to decide whether to pull the US out of the 2015 international agreement with Iran designed to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. A withdrawal could lead to the agreement’s collapse and spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,” Prince Mohammed told CBS. The prince’s trip is also intended to project the kingdom as a beacon of moderation - rather than a promoter of ultra-conservatism - and cutting-edge modernity led by a young reformist but autocratic king-in-waiting. Prince Mohammed and President Trump In a meeting at the White House, Prince Mohammed and President Trump touted the economic benefits of the two countries’ relationship, with massive US arms sales and other deals, including nuclear sales that would involve reducing US safeguards by giving the kingdom the right to enrich uranium. Both leaders asserted that the deals would significantly boost employment in both Saudi Arabia and the United States. Prince Mohammed is also scheduled to meet members of Congress, think tanks and academics, oil executives, businessmen and representatives of Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry and Hollywood. Both Prince Mohammed and Trump need to demonstrate economic progress to boost or cement their popularity at home. The crown prince needs to show to Saudis that he is feted as a leader despite mounting international criticism of his conduct in the Yemen war, his domestic power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, the kingdom’s long-standing political and social restrictions, and its four-decade-long global support for ultra-conservative Sunni Islam. Beyond concern about the high civilian casualty rate in Yemen and the war having sparked one of the worst humanitarian crises of today, many fear that potentially destabilizing anti-Saudi sentiment in the ravaged country will persist long after the guns fall silent. Those fears are reinforced by contradictory Saudi measures. While on the one hand pledging billions of dollars in aid and allowing at least some relief to get into Yemen, Saudi Arabia has aggravated the crisis by expelling tens of thousands of Yemeni workers in recent months. Prince Mohammed also needs to demonstrate that he can attract foreign investment despite the arbitrary nature of the arrest in November 2017 of hundreds of senior members of the ruling al-Saud family, prominent businessmen and high-ranking officials, and reports that at least some of them were abused and tortured during their detention. Most of the detainees were released after surrendering control of assets and/or paying substantial amounts of money. The government said it expects to raise $100 billion from the asset grab. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the most prominent detainees and the kingdom’s most-high-profile businessman, who seemed to put up a fight during his detention, has since his release in January said that he would be investing in some of Prince Mohammed’s pet projects. Reform in Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed has bolstered his image by vowing to return Saudi Arabia to an unidentified form of moderate Islam forcing the country’s ultra-conservative religious establishment to endorse his reforms suggesting that the kingdom may halt its massive global funding of Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism to counter Iran’s revolutionary zeal surrendering control of the Saudi-managed Great Mosque in Brussels granting women the right to drive, join the military and attend male sporting events and creating a modern entertainment sector. Despite the boldness of his moves, the crown prince has sent mixed messages about how far he is prepared to go. Women and men mix at concerts and theater plays but are segregated in the three sport stadiums that have been declared open to women. While the crown prince has been decisive in his power and asset grab, he has yet to say a clear word about lifting Saudi Arabia’s system of male guardianship that gives male relatives control of their lives. Similarly, there is no indication that gender segregation in restaurants and other public places will be lifted. Asked about the guardianship, Prince Mohammed evaded specifics. “Today, Saudi women still have not received their full rights. There are rights stipulated in Islam that they still don’t have. We have come a very long way and have a short way to go,” he said to CBS News. Middle East scholar As’ad Abu Khalil, whose blog is named The Angry Arab News Service, posted a picture of Prince Mohammed meeting with President Trump, noting that there was not one woman on either side of the conference table. Speaking Arabic despite having learned to speak English by watching movies, Prince Mohammed appeared in his CBS interview to defend allowing a mingling of the sexes in the workplace, while shying away from ultra-conservative Islam’s ban on a man meeting a woman unaccompanied by a male relative in non-professional or non-public settings. “We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a workplace,” Prince Mohammed said. The crown prince conceded that women had the right to determine what to wear if their clothes were “decent, respectful clothing, like men.” He did not define what would constitute decent but insisted that it did not have to be a “black abaya or a black head cover.” No doubt, Prince Mohammed’s social reforms and promised economic change provide him significant arrows in his multimillion-dollar PR blitz. That is getting him the support of the White House. “Getting a strong presidential endorsement of the crown prince's trip to the US. to encourage investment in Saudi Arabia, that, I think, could be something that could be done," said Anthony H Cordesman, the Arleigh A Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Translating that into real policy and dollars could, however, prove to be a harder sell. This article was originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How far will crown prince Mohammed go?

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.

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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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may be seeking to revert his kingdom to an unspecified form of moderate Islam but erasing the impact of 40 years of global funding of ultra-conservative, intolerant strands of the faith is unlikely to be eradicated by decree.

Not only because ultra-conservatism has taken root in numerous Muslim countries and communities, but also because it has given opportunistic politicians a framework to pursue policies that appeal to bigoted and biased sentiments in bids to strengthen their grip on power. Nowhere is that more evident than in Asia, home to several of the Islamic world&#39;s most populous countries.

Examples of the fallout abound among recipients of Saudi largess. They include institutionalised discrimination in Pakistan against Ahmadis, a sect considered heretic by orthodox Muslims, as well as biased policies towards non-Muslims and Shiites in Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Basic freedoms in Bangladesh are being officially and unofficially curtailed in various forms as a result of domestic struggles originally enabled by successful Saudi pressure to amend the country&#39;s constitution in 1975 to recognise Islam as its official religion. The amendment was a condition for Saudi recognition of the young republic and the promise of substantial financial support.

Reports that Prince Mohammed in a dramatic gesture to Shiites, who have been discriminated against for years in the kingdom and demonised by its religious and political leaders as part of Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s public affairs war with Iran, plans to visit the Shiite religious citadel of Najaf in Iraq is likely to do little to change things on the ground in Muslim majority nations in Asia.

Neither will his meetings with Christian religious luminaries in Egypt and elsewhere even if they demonstrate that Saudi Arabia, the custodian of Islam&rsquo;s two most holy cities, is, under Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s guidance, embracing principles of inter-faith dialogue and religious tolerance.

Reporting on a visit to the ultra-conservative Indonesian region of Aceh, Islam scholar Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad noted that &quot;supporters for anti-Shi&rsquo;ah in Aceh are Wahabism, an Islamic political party, a group of young Acehnese who finished their study in the Middle East....They play their role in urban areas. After the Tsunami (in 2004), many of pesantrens (religious seminaries) from Wahabism were built in Aceh. They received funding from &#39;outside&#39; Aceh.&quot;

Bangladeshi journalist Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury, who fled his country after a failed assassination attempt by religious militants, recently sketched Bangladesh&#39;s migration from a nation founded with aspirations of &quot;economic, political and intellectual emancipation&quot; to one in which the &quot;will of the military and its leadership was key in shaping politics towards selfishness and subornation&rdquo; and &ldquo;political parties are willing to go to any length to hold on to power.&quot;

It was a process abetted by Saudi Arabia. Chowdhury noted that &quot;the healthy trend of democratic and progressive politics was never able to regain a footing in Bangladesh&quot; with freedom of speech and the press as one of its major casualties. Unlike human rights lawyer and writer Ikhtisad Ahmed, Chowdhury shied away from referring to the role of Saudi Arabia and Saudi-inspired ultra-conservatism in his country&rsquo;s political development.

One strand of ultra-conservatism, Salafism, that Saudi interior minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz wanted to elevate to an official Islamic school of thought shortly before his death in 2012, gained, according to&nbsp; Ahmed, currency under the coalition government in the first years of the 21st century formed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, a controversial group that opposed the country&#39;s independence.

Like in Pakistan, of which Bangladesh was part until, 1971, the military as well as political parties maintained opportunistic ties to militants such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad that were often as opposed to secularism as they were to Saudi-style monarchy.

As a result, Bangladesh, the world&rsquo;s fourth largest Muslim nation, is at the heart of a struggle between liberalism and ultra-conservatism that questions Saudi Arabia&#39;s legacy and is about reforms that go beyond anything envisioned by Prince Mohammed. It is a battle in which free-thinking, journalists, writers and intellectuals have paid a heavy price.

In the latest incident earlier this month, prominent scholar, award-winning science fiction author and outspoken critic of religious militants, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was stabbed and seriously injured in a knife attack in the north-eastern town of Sylhet.

Iqbal was the latest victim of more than 30 machete attacks, shootouts, and bombings in Bangladesh in the past three years, including last year&#39;s assault on the Holy Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in which 22 hostages were killed.

The country&#39;s battle was fuelled by a 2010 Bangladesh Supreme Court decision to roll back the Saudi-inspired amendment of the constitution and restore secularism as its basic tenant as well as the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders for war crimes during the 1971 Pakistani-Indian war that gave birth to Bangladesh.

In response, ultra-conservatives and militants demanded death for &quot;atheists and apostates&quot; who had demonstrated in favour of the death penalties, stricter anti-blasphemy legislation and a crackdown on alleged un-Islamic cultural practices.

To be sure, Saudi Arabia, a country that is itself in transition, is unlikely to be backing the ultra-conservatives and militants. Yet, their struggle and deep-seated polarisation in Bangladesh are offshoots of the kingdom&rsquo;s past ultra-conservative support and the creation of an environment in which politicians and state organs can opportunistically exploit religious sentiment.

Criticism of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed&rsquo;s weak response to the violence, if not inaction, coupled with the battle for the soul of Bangladesh serves as evidence that reversing the fallout of four decades of Saudi promotion of ultra-conservatism as an anti-dote to Iranian revolutionary zeal will take time and often be volatile. The same is true for efforts to counter creeping ultra-conservatism in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

In fact, what the struggles in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia suggest is that today&#39;s culprits are not Saudi Arabia, even if it bears a responsibility, but politicians and/or national governments. Said Chowdhury: &quot;The failure to bring culprits to justice in many of the recent attacks in Bangladesh has &#39;been the deliberate goal of the government. It supports their ambition to continue holding on to power by silencing critics and pandering to the religious right&#39;.&quot;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Reports that Prince Mohammed in a dramatic gesture to Shiites, plans to visit the Shiite religious citadel of Najaf in Iraq is likely to do little to change things on the ground in Muslim majority nations in Asia.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may be seeking to revert his kingdom to an unspecified form of moderate Islam but erasing the impact of 40 years of global funding of ultra-conservative, intolerant strands of the faith is unlikely to be eradicated by decree. Not only because ultra-conservatism has taken root in numerous Muslim countries and communities, but also because it has given opportunistic politicians a framework to pursue policies that appeal to bigoted and biased sentiments in bids to strengthen their grip on power. Nowhere is that more evident than in Asia, home to several of the Islamic world's most populous countries. Examples of the fallout abound among recipients of Saudi largess. They include institutionalised discrimination in Pakistan against Ahmadis, a sect considered heretic by orthodox Muslims, as well as biased policies towards non-Muslims and Shiites in Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Basic freedoms in Bangladesh are being officially and unofficially curtailed in various forms as a result of domestic struggles originally enabled by successful Saudi pressure to amend the country's constitution in 1975 to recognise Islam as its official religion. The amendment was a condition for Saudi recognition of the young republic and the promise of substantial financial support. Reports that Prince Mohammed in a dramatic gesture to Shiites, who have been discriminated against for years in the kingdom and demonised by its religious and political leaders as part of Saudi Arabia’s public affairs war with Iran, plans to visit the Shiite religious citadel of Najaf in Iraq is likely to do little to change things on the ground in Muslim majority nations in Asia. Neither will his meetings with Christian religious luminaries in Egypt and elsewhere even if they demonstrate that Saudi Arabia, the custodian of Islam’s two most holy cities, is, under Prince Mohammed’s guidance, embracing principles of inter-faith dialogue and religious tolerance. Reporting on a visit to the ultra-conservative Indonesian region of Aceh, Islam scholar Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad noted that "supporters for anti-Shi’ah in Aceh are Wahabism, an Islamic political party, a group of young Acehnese who finished their study in the Middle East....They play their role in urban areas. After the Tsunami (in 2004), many of pesantrens (religious seminaries) from Wahabism were built in Aceh. They received funding from 'outside' Aceh." Bangladeshi journalist Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury, who fled his country after a failed assassination attempt by religious militants, recently sketched Bangladesh's migration from a nation founded with aspirations of "economic, political and intellectual emancipation" to one in which the "will of the military and its leadership was key in shaping politics towards selfishness and subornation” and “political parties are willing to go to any length to hold on to power." It was a process abetted by Saudi Arabia. Chowdhury noted that "the healthy trend of democratic and progressive politics was never able to regain a footing in Bangladesh" with freedom of speech and the press as one of its major casualties. Unlike human rights lawyer and writer Ikhtisad Ahmed, Chowdhury shied away from referring to the role of Saudi Arabia and Saudi-inspired ultra-conservatism in his country’s political development. One strand of ultra-conservatism, Salafism, that Saudi interior minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz wanted to elevate to an official Islamic school of thought shortly before his death in 2012, gained, according to Ahmed, currency under the coalition government in the first years of the 21st century formed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, a controversial group that opposed the country's independence. Like in Pakistan, of which Bangladesh was part until, 1971, the military as well as political parties maintained opportunistic ties to militants such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad that were often as opposed to secularism as they were to Saudi-style monarchy. As a result, Bangladesh, the world’s fourth largest Muslim nation, is at the heart of a struggle between liberalism and ultra-conservatism that questions Saudi Arabia's legacy and is about reforms that go beyond anything envisioned by Prince Mohammed. It is a battle in which free-thinking, journalists, writers and intellectuals have paid a heavy price. In the latest incident earlier this month, prominent scholar, award-winning science fiction author and outspoken critic of religious militants, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was stabbed and seriously injured in a knife attack in the north-eastern town of Sylhet. Iqbal was the latest victim of more than 30 machete attacks, shootouts, and bombings in Bangladesh in the past three years, including last year's assault on the Holy Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in which 22 hostages were killed. The country's battle was fuelled by a 2010 Bangladesh Supreme Court decision to roll back the Saudi-inspired amendment of the constitution and restore secularism as its basic tenant as well as the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders for war crimes during the 1971 Pakistani-Indian war that gave birth to Bangladesh. In response, ultra-conservatives and militants demanded death for "atheists and apostates" who had demonstrated in favour of the death penalties, stricter anti-blasphemy legislation and a crackdown on alleged un-Islamic cultural practices. To be sure, Saudi Arabia, a country that is itself in transition, is unlikely to be backing the ultra-conservatives and militants. Yet, their struggle and deep-seated polarisation in Bangladesh are offshoots of the kingdom’s past ultra-conservative support and the creation of an environment in which politicians and state organs can opportunistically exploit religious sentiment. Criticism of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed’s weak response to the violence, if not inaction, coupled with the battle for the soul of Bangladesh serves as evidence that reversing the fallout of four decades of Saudi promotion of ultra-conservatism as an anti-dote to Iranian revolutionary zeal will take time and often be volatile. The same is true for efforts to counter creeping ultra-conservatism in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. In fact, what the struggles in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia suggest is that today's culprits are not Saudi Arabia, even if it bears a responsibility, but politicians and/or national governments. Said Chowdhury: "The failure to bring culprits to justice in many of the recent attacks in Bangladesh has 'been the deliberate goal of the government. It supports their ambition to continue holding on to power by silencing critics and pandering to the religious right'." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Saudi Prince Mohammed's religious moderation unlikely to change Asian realities

In his effort to improve Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s badly tarnished image and project the kingdom as embracing an unidentified form of moderate Islam, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has hinted that he envisions a conservative rather than an ultra-conservative society. But this is not one in which citizens are fully free to make personal, let alone political choices of their own. Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s vision, although not spelled out in great detail, seemed evident in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS News, his first with a Western television program, on the eve of a three-week trip that is taking him across the United States.

The trip is designed to cement relations with the Trump administration following the dismissal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Prince Mohammed and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed, viewed Tillerson as unenthusiastic about their hegemonic designs for a swath of land stretching across the Middle East from the Horn of Africa to South Asia, including the Saudi-Emirati-led boycott of Qatar.

The visit comes barely a month before President Donald Trump has to decide whether to pull the US out of the 2015 international agreement with Iran designed to curb the Islamic republic&rsquo;s nuclear program. A withdrawal could lead to the agreement&rsquo;s collapse and spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. &ldquo;Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,&rdquo; Prince Mohammed told CBS.

The prince&rsquo;s trip is also intended to project the kingdom as a beacon of moderation - rather than a promoter of ultra-conservatism - and cutting-edge modernity led by a young reformist but autocratic king-in-waiting. 
Prince Mohammed and President Trump

In a meeting at the White House, Prince Mohammed and President Trump touted the economic benefits of the two countries&rsquo; relationship, with massive US arms sales and other deals, including nuclear sales that would involve reducing US safeguards by giving the kingdom the right to enrich uranium. Both leaders asserted that the deals would significantly boost employment in both Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Prince Mohammed is also scheduled to meet members of Congress, think tanks and academics, oil executives, businessmen and representatives of Silicon Valley&rsquo;s high-tech industry and Hollywood.

Both Prince Mohammed and Trump need to demonstrate economic progress to boost or cement their popularity at home. The crown prince needs to show to Saudis that he is feted as a leader despite mounting international criticism of his conduct in the Yemen war, his domestic power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, the kingdom&rsquo;s long-standing political and social restrictions, and its four-decade-long global support for ultra-conservative Sunni Islam.

Beyond concern about the high civilian casualty rate in Yemen and the war having sparked one of the worst humanitarian crises of today, many fear that potentially destabilizing anti-Saudi sentiment in the ravaged country will persist long after the guns fall silent. Those fears are reinforced by contradictory Saudi measures. While on the one hand pledging billions of dollars in aid and allowing at least some relief to get into Yemen, Saudi Arabia has aggravated the crisis by expelling tens of thousands of Yemeni workers in recent months.

Prince Mohammed also needs to demonstrate that he can attract foreign investment despite the arbitrary nature of the arrest in November 2017 of hundreds of senior members of the ruling al-Saud family, prominent businessmen and high-ranking officials, and reports that at least some of them were abused and tortured during their detention.

Most of the detainees were released after surrendering control of assets and/or paying substantial amounts of money. The government said it expects to raise $100 billion from the asset grab. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the most prominent detainees and the kingdom&rsquo;s most-high-profile businessman, who seemed to put up a fight during his detention, has since his release in January said that he would be investing in some of Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s pet projects. 
Reform in Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed has bolstered his image by vowing to return Saudi Arabia to an unidentified form of moderate Islam; forcing the country&rsquo;s ultra-conservative religious establishment to endorse his reforms; suggesting that the kingdom may halt its massive global funding of Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism to counter Iran&rsquo;s revolutionary zeal; surrendering control of the Saudi-managed Great Mosque in Brussels; granting women the right to drive, join the military and attend male sporting events; and creating a modern entertainment sector.

Despite the boldness of his moves, the crown prince has sent mixed messages about how far he is prepared to go. Women and men mix at concerts and theater plays but are segregated in the three sport stadiums that have been declared open to women.

While the crown prince has been decisive in his power and asset grab, he has yet to say a clear word about lifting Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s system of male guardianship that gives male relatives control of their lives. Similarly, there is no indication that gender segregation in restaurants and other public places will be lifted. Asked about the guardianship, Prince Mohammed evaded specifics. &ldquo;Today, Saudi women still have not received their full rights. There are rights stipulated in Islam that they still don&rsquo;t have. We have come a very long way and have a short way to go,&rdquo; he said to CBS News.

Middle East scholar As&rsquo;ad Abu Khalil, whose blog is named The Angry Arab News Service, posted a picture of Prince Mohammed meeting with President Trump, noting that there was not one woman on either side of the conference table.

Speaking Arabic despite having learned to speak English by watching movies, Prince Mohammed appeared in his CBS interview to defend allowing a mingling of the sexes in the workplace, while shying away from ultra-conservative Islam&rsquo;s ban on a man meeting a woman unaccompanied by a male relative in non-professional or non-public settings. &ldquo;We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a workplace,&rdquo; Prince Mohammed said.

The crown prince conceded that women had the right to determine what to wear if their clothes were &ldquo;decent, respectful clothing, like men.&rdquo; He did not define what would constitute decent but insisted that it did not have to be a &ldquo;black abaya or a black head cover.&rdquo;

No doubt, Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s social reforms and promised economic change provide him significant arrows in his multimillion-dollar PR blitz. That is getting him the support of the White House. &ldquo;Getting a strong presidential endorsement of the crown prince&#39;s trip to the US. to encourage investment in Saudi Arabia, that, I think, could be something that could be done,&quot; said Anthony H Cordesman, the Arleigh A Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Translating that into real policy and dollars could, however, prove to be a harder sell.

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/mohammed-bin-salman-us-trip-gulf-news-saudi-arabia-07978/">article</a> was originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/">Fair Observer</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

In his effort to improve Saudi Arabia’s badly tarnished image and project the kingdom as embracing an unidentified form of moderate Islam, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has hinted that he envisions a conservative rather than an ultra-conservative society. But this is not one in which citizens are fully free to make personal, let alone political choices of their own. Prince Mohammed’s vision, although not spelled out in great detail, seemed evident in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS News, his first with a Western television program, on the eve of a three-week trip that is taking him across the United States. The trip is designed to cement relations with the Trump administration following the dismissal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Prince Mohammed and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed, viewed Tillerson as unenthusiastic about their hegemonic designs for a swath of land stretching across the Middle East from the Horn of Africa to South Asia, including the Saudi-Emirati-led boycott of Qatar. The visit comes barely a month before President Donald Trump has to decide whether to pull the US out of the 2015 international agreement with Iran designed to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. A withdrawal could lead to the agreement’s collapse and spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,” Prince Mohammed told CBS. The prince’s trip is also intended to project the kingdom as a beacon of moderation - rather than a promoter of ultra-conservatism - and cutting-edge modernity led by a young reformist but autocratic king-in-waiting. Prince Mohammed and President Trump In a meeting at the White House, Prince Mohammed and President Trump touted the economic benefits of the two countries’ relationship, with massive US arms sales and other deals, including nuclear sales that would involve reducing US safeguards by giving the kingdom the right to enrich uranium. Both leaders asserted that the deals would significantly boost employment in both Saudi Arabia and the United States. Prince Mohammed is also scheduled to meet members of Congress, think tanks and academics, oil executives, businessmen and representatives of Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry and Hollywood. Both Prince Mohammed and Trump need to demonstrate economic progress to boost or cement their popularity at home. The crown prince needs to show to Saudis that he is feted as a leader despite mounting international criticism of his conduct in the Yemen war, his domestic power and asset grab under the mum of an anti-corruption campaign, the kingdom’s long-standing political and social restrictions, and its four-decade-long global support for ultra-conservative Sunni Islam. Beyond concern about the high civilian casualty rate in Yemen and the war having sparked one of the worst humanitarian crises of today, many fear that potentially destabilizing anti-Saudi sentiment in the ravaged country will persist long after the guns fall silent. Those fears are reinforced by contradictory Saudi measures. While on the one hand pledging billions of dollars in aid and allowing at least some relief to get into Yemen, Saudi Arabia has aggravated the crisis by expelling tens of thousands of Yemeni workers in recent months. Prince Mohammed also needs to demonstrate that he can attract foreign investment despite the arbitrary nature of the arrest in November 2017 of hundreds of senior members of the ruling al-Saud family, prominent businessmen and high-ranking officials, and reports that at least some of them were abused and tortured during their detention. Most of the detainees were released after surrendering control of assets and/or paying substantial amounts of money. The government said it expects to raise $100 billion from the asset grab. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the most prominent detainees and the kingdom’s most-high-profile businessman, who seemed to put up a fight during his detention, has since his release in January said that he would be investing in some of Prince Mohammed’s pet projects. Reform in Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed has bolstered his image by vowing to return Saudi Arabia to an unidentified form of moderate Islam; forcing the country’s ultra-conservative religious establishment to endorse his reforms; suggesting that the kingdom may halt its massive global funding of Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism to counter Iran’s revolutionary zeal; surrendering control of the Saudi-managed Great Mosque in Brussels; granting women the right to drive, join the military and attend male sporting events; and creating a modern entertainment sector. Despite the boldness of his moves, the crown prince has sent mixed messages about how far he is prepared to go. Women and men mix at concerts and theater plays but are segregated in the three sport stadiums that have been declared open to women. While the crown prince has been decisive in his power and asset grab, he has yet to say a clear word about lifting Saudi Arabia’s system of male guardianship that gives male relatives control of their lives. Similarly, there is no indication that gender segregation in restaurants and other public places will be lifted. Asked about the guardianship, Prince Mohammed evaded specifics. “Today, Saudi women still have not received their full rights. There are rights stipulated in Islam that they still don’t have. We have come a very long way and have a short way to go,” he said to CBS News. Middle East scholar As’ad Abu Khalil, whose blog is named The Angry Arab News Service, posted a picture of Prince Mohammed meeting with President Trump, noting that there was not one woman on either side of the conference table. Speaking Arabic despite having learned to speak English by watching movies, Prince Mohammed appeared in his CBS interview to defend allowing a mingling of the sexes in the workplace, while shying away from ultra-conservative Islam’s ban on a man meeting a woman unaccompanied by a male relative in non-professional or non-public settings. “We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a workplace,” Prince Mohammed said. The crown prince conceded that women had the right to determine what to wear if their clothes were “decent, respectful clothing, like men.” He did not define what would constitute decent but insisted that it did not have to be a “black abaya or a black head cover.” No doubt, Prince Mohammed’s social reforms and promised economic change provide him significant arrows in his multimillion-dollar PR blitz. That is getting him the support of the White House. “Getting a strong presidential endorsement of the crown prince's trip to the US. to encourage investment in Saudi Arabia, that, I think, could be something that could be done," said Anthony H Cordesman, the Arleigh A Burke chair in strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Translating that into real policy and dollars could, however, prove to be a harder sell. This article was originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In an unprecedented move,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinians-outrage-on-the-new-loyalty-bill-passed-by-israel-35218"> an Air India flight set off from</a> New Delhi today at 12:30GMT to land in Tel Aviv at 1945GMT while crossing over Saudi Arabian airspace on its way.

<a href="https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/AIC139">Track Air India Flight</a>

Saudi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saudi-gives-air-india-overflight-rights-for-its-israel-routes-netanyahu-34855">Arabia does not allow any commercial </a>flight bound for Israel to cross its airspace but the Indian government brokered the &quot;peace flight&quot; amid tensions in the Middle East.

&quot;We will be flying non-stop from New Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22 over Saudi airspace,&quot; an Air India spokesman said.

Israel&#39;s national carrier El Al which currently operates from Mumbai takes a detour over the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia and Israel have no official diplomatic relations. Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab nations which have relations with Isreal.

&quot;I think that what this shows is even in the absence of that you can have small gestures that are of real meaning,&quot; Spyer, director of Israel`s Rubin Centre for Research in International Affairs, told AFP.

&quot;That&#39;s what I think that this Saudi decision to allow the overflights consists of. It`s small but significant,&quot; Spyer added.

Recently Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had described relations with the Arab world as the &quot;best ever&quot; even as tensions continued over President Trump&#39;s recent decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, a move which set off violent protests in the Middle East.

Israel's national carrier El Al which currently operates from Mumbai takes a detour over the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In an unprecedented move, an Air India flight set off from New Delhi today at 12:30GMT to land in Tel Aviv at 1945GMT while crossing over Saudi Arabian airspace on its way. Track Air India Flight Saudi Arabia does not allow any commercial flight bound for Israel to cross its airspace but the Indian government brokered the "peace flight" amid tensions in the Middle East. "We will be flying non-stop from New Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22 over Saudi airspace," an Air India spokesman said. Israel's national carrier El Al which currently operates from Mumbai takes a detour over the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and Israel have no official diplomatic relations. Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab nations which have relations with Isreal. "I think that what this shows is even in the absence of that you can have small gestures that are of real meaning," Spyer, director of Israel`s Rubin Centre for Research in International Affairs, told AFP. "That's what I think that this Saudi decision to allow the overflights consists of. It`s small but significant," Spyer added. Recently Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had described relations with the Arab world as the "best ever" even as tensions continued over President Trump's recent decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, a move which set off violent protests in the Middle East.

In a first, Air India flight to cross Saudi Arabia on way to Israel

Saudi Arabia&#39;s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman doesn&#39;t do things by halves, and his meeting on Tuesday with President Donald Trump is just the beginning of a three-week US tour.

Hot on the heels of securing his role as de facto Saudi leader and launching a controversial reform drive, the ambitious 32-year-old is keen to cement ties with the kingdom&#39;s most important ally.

Relations with the US &quot;are at an all-time high,&quot; Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a former ambassador to Washington, boasted at a news conference on the eve of the White House talks.

After a week of meetings in Washington, Prince Mohammed will head to the US financial center in New York on Saturday.

There he will discuss the planned partial sale of Saudi Aramco, the kingdom&#39;s oil giant and the golden egg underpinning the prince&#39;s Vision 2030 strategy of economic and social reform.

The IPO, with the potential of raising roughly $100 billion based on a valuation of $2 trillion for Aramco, would be the world&#39;s largest-ever share offering.

London, Hong Kong and New York were competing to host the offer, but Riyadh fears the firm would be exposed to litigation if listed in the United States, and reports Monday could disappoint all three.

According to The Wall Street Journal, officials are now planning to offer the stock solely on the Saudi exchange, and waiting to see if it is worth seeking an international listing later.

While in New York, MBS, as he is often known, will also meet United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, head of an organization that has criticized Saudi conduct of the war in Yemen.

&#39;Vision of darkness&#39; 
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition fighting the Huthi rebels, who are allegedly backed by Iran, but has come under criticism for strikes on civilian targets and blockades of humanitarian aid.

The heir to the Saudi throne will not expect much pushback from the White House, though.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s administration has been firmly behind the Sunni kingdom as it frames all its conflicts as part of a confrontation with Shiite Iran.

Jubeir compared the enmity between Riyadh and Tehran to the battle between light and Iran&#39;s &quot;vision of darkness.&quot;

&quot;And light always triumphs over darkness,&quot; he said.

On Yemen, the Saudi envoy insisted that the kingdom had not sought war but had been drawn in while trying to shore up the rule of the internationally-recognized president against his domestic rivals.

&quot;We are committed to a political process,&quot; he insisted.

This might satisfy Trump, whose first foreign visit as president last year was to Riyadh, but some lawmakers -- egged on by rights activists -- are seeking to curtail US support for the war.

US generals and diplomats are still struggling to calm tensions in the Gulf 10 months after Saudi Arabia led its neighbors in a trade and diplomatic embargo on former ally Qatar.

&#39;No pushback&#39; 
The row dashed US hopes of maintaining a regional Arab alliance against Iran and has complicated the lives of US military planners based at Qatar&#39;s vast Al-Udeid air base.&nbsp;

After Washington, Wall Street and the United Nations, Prince Mohammed will head on March 30 to the West Coast, home of America&#39;s new economy.

He will visit arms exporter Lockheed Martin, as his predecessors might have done, but in trips to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, he will see tech giants Google, Apple and Amazon.

Saudi Arabia is still the world&#39;s number one oil exporter, and the crown prince will indeed visit US oil hub Houston on the last leg of his trip on April 7, but he also wants to diversify.

This part of his agenda to transform an economy that has left many young Saudis of the prince&#39;s generation idle and restless, prey to extremists, has been accompanied by an anti-corruption drive.

This was billed as a way to clean up the Saudi image and encourage outside investment, but many potential funders were spooked to see many renowned Saudi financial heavyweights confined en masse in a luxury hotel.

These figures were eventually released after reportedly surrendering chunks of their wealth, but the exercise was criticized by some as more of a power grab than an anti-graft initiative.

Jubeir insists the issue is of little matter in the broader picture of US-Saudi ties.&nbsp;

&quot;We had virtually no pushback,&quot; he said. &quot;People are very supportive.&quot; 
&nbsp;

Hot on the heels of securing his role as de facto Saudi leader and launching a controversial reform drive, 32-year-old Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is keen to cement ties with his kingdom's most important ally

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman doesn't do things by halves, and his meeting on Tuesday with President Donald Trump is just the beginning of a three-week US tour. Hot on the heels of securing his role as de facto Saudi leader and launching a controversial reform drive, the ambitious 32-year-old is keen to cement ties with the kingdom's most important ally. Relations with the US "are at an all-time high," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a former ambassador to Washington, boasted at a news conference on the eve of the White House talks. After a week of meetings in Washington, Prince Mohammed will head to the US financial center in New York on Saturday. There he will discuss the planned partial sale of Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's oil giant and the golden egg underpinning the prince's Vision 2030 strategy of economic and social reform. The IPO, with the potential of raising roughly $100 billion based on a valuation of $2 trillion for Aramco, would be the world's largest-ever share offering. London, Hong Kong and New York were competing to host the offer, but Riyadh fears the firm would be exposed to litigation if listed in the United States, and reports Monday could disappoint all three. According to The Wall Street Journal, officials are now planning to offer the stock solely on the Saudi exchange, and waiting to see if it is worth seeking an international listing later. While in New York, MBS, as he is often known, will also meet United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, head of an organization that has criticized Saudi conduct of the war in Yemen. 'Vision of darkness' Saudi Arabia leads a coalition fighting the Huthi rebels, who are allegedly backed by Iran, but has come under criticism for strikes on civilian targets and blockades of humanitarian aid. The heir to the Saudi throne will not expect much pushback from the White House, though. Trump's administration has been firmly behind the Sunni kingdom as it frames all its conflicts as part of a confrontation with Shiite Iran. Jubeir compared the enmity between Riyadh and Tehran to the battle between light and Iran's "vision of darkness." "And light always triumphs over darkness," he said. On Yemen, the Saudi envoy insisted that the kingdom had not sought war but had been drawn in while trying to shore up the rule of the internationally-recognized president against his domestic rivals. "We are committed to a political process," he insisted. This might satisfy Trump, whose first foreign visit as president last year was to Riyadh, but some lawmakers -- egged on by rights activists -- are seeking to curtail US support for the war. US generals and diplomats are still struggling to calm tensions in the Gulf 10 months after Saudi Arabia led its neighbors in a trade and diplomatic embargo on former ally Qatar. 'No pushback' The row dashed US hopes of maintaining a regional Arab alliance against Iran and has complicated the lives of US military planners based at Qatar's vast Al-Udeid air base. After Washington, Wall Street and the United Nations, Prince Mohammed will head on March 30 to the West Coast, home of America's new economy. He will visit arms exporter Lockheed Martin, as his predecessors might have done, but in trips to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, he will see tech giants Google, Apple and Amazon. Saudi Arabia is still the world's number one oil exporter, and the crown prince will indeed visit US oil hub Houston on the last leg of his trip on April 7, but he also wants to diversify. This part of his agenda to transform an economy that has left many young Saudis of the prince's generation idle and restless, prey to extremists, has been accompanied by an anti-corruption drive. This was billed as a way to clean up the Saudi image and encourage outside investment, but many potential funders were spooked to see many renowned Saudi financial heavyweights confined en masse in a luxury hotel. These figures were eventually released after reportedly surrendering chunks of their wealth, but the exercise was criticized by some as more of a power grab than an anti-graft initiative. Jubeir insists the issue is of little matter in the broader picture of US-Saudi ties. "We had virtually no pushback," he said. "People are very supportive."

Ambitious Saudi prince mounts epic US charm offensive

Ahead of meeting with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-allows-women-to-join-military-services-34176">US president Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia&#39;s</a> crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, in an interview with a US network said extremists who &quot;forbid mixing between the two sexes&quot; and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman, adding, &ldquo;We are all human beings and there is no difference.&rdquo;

Prince Salman has implemented a number of sweeping measures on women&#39;s rights, recently the Saudi government allowed women to be included in senior government jobs. A few weeks prior to this, Prince Salman opened the gates for women to serve in the military although they were barred from combat roles.

In an interview with a private TV network, Salman said: &quot;We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a work place.&quot;

&quot;Many of those ideas contradict the way of life during the time of the Prophet,&quot; Prince Salman added.

The Prince speaking on a wave of extremism during the 60s and 70s said: &quot;We were victims, especially my generation that suffered from this a great deal, this is not the real Saudi Arabia. I would ask your viewers to use their smartphones to find out.&quot;

&quot;They can google Saudi Arabia in the 70s and 60s, and they will see the real Saudi Arabia easily in the pictures,&quot; the Prince declared.

&ldquo;We were living a very normal life like the rest of the Gulf countries, women were driving cars. There were movie theatres in Saudi Arabia. Women worked everywhere. We were just normal people developing like any other country in the world until the events of 1979.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The Prince during the interview openly admitted al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden tainted Saudi Arabia&#39;s image by recruiting Saudis to carry out the 9/11 attacks on the international Trade Towers and the Pentagon.

&quot;Osama bin Laden recruited 15 Saudis in the 9/11 attacks with a clear objective,&quot; he said, adding, &quot;According to the CIA documents and Congressional investigations, Osama bin Laden wanted to create a schism between the Middle East and the West, between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.&quot;

Prince Salman has implemented a number of sweeping measures on women's rights

Ahead of meeting with US president Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, in an interview with a US network said extremists who "forbid mixing between the two sexes" and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman, adding, “We are all human beings and there is no difference.” Prince Salman has implemented a number of sweeping measures on women's rights, recently the Saudi government allowed women to be included in senior government jobs. A few weeks prior to this, Prince Salman opened the gates for women to serve in the military although they were barred from combat roles. In an interview with a private TV network, Salman said: "We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together and their being together in a work place." "Many of those ideas contradict the way of life during the time of the Prophet," Prince Salman added. The Prince speaking on a wave of extremism during the 60s and 70s said: "We were victims, especially my generation that suffered from this a great deal, this is not the real Saudi Arabia. I would ask your viewers to use their smartphones to find out." "They can google Saudi Arabia in the 70s and 60s, and they will see the real Saudi Arabia easily in the pictures," the Prince declared. “We were living a very normal life like the rest of the Gulf countries, women were driving cars. There were movie theatres in Saudi Arabia. Women worked everywhere. We were just normal people developing like any other country in the world until the events of 1979.” The Prince during the interview openly admitted al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden tainted Saudi Arabia's image by recruiting Saudis to carry out the 9/11 attacks on the international Trade Towers and the Pentagon. "Osama bin Laden recruited 15 Saudis in the 9/11 attacks with a clear objective," he said, adding, "According to the CIA documents and Congressional investigations, Osama bin Laden wanted to create a schism between the Middle East and the West, between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America."

Mixing between men & women does not contradict Prophet's way of life: Saudi Prince Salman

Likening Iran&#39;s leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia&#39;s crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit.

&quot;Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,&quot; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on &quot;CBS This Morning.&quot;

The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran&#39;s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as &quot;the new Hitler&quot; because &quot;he wants to expand.&quot;

&quot;He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time,&quot; Prince Mohammed said.

&quot;Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don&#39;t want to see the same events happening in the Middle East.&quot;

The interview is scheduled to run on CBS&#39;s &quot;60 Minutes&quot; show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince&#39;s scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track.

Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia&#39;s dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes.

A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran&#39;s nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain.

The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in &quot;full compliance with the principle of transparency&quot; and meet nuclear safety standards &quot;in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework.&quot;

The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion.

Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

'Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said

Likening Iran's leader to Adolf Hitler, Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in a US television interview that if Tehran gets a nuclear weapon, his country will follow suit. "Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Thursday on "CBS This Morning." The 32-year-old Prince Mohammed said he has referred to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as "the new Hitler" because "he wants to expand." "He wants to create his own project in the Middle East, very much like Hitler who wanted to expand at the time," Prince Mohammed said. "Many countries around the world and in Europe did not realize how dangerous Hitler was until what happened, happened. I don't want to see the same events happening in the Middle East." The interview is scheduled to run on CBS's "60 Minutes" show on Sunday, two days before the crown prince's scheduled White House meeting with US President Donald Trump. His comments come amid concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and just days after the kingdom put an atomic energy program on a fast track. Although intended to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, analysts warn the capacity to produce atomic energy could open a pathway to nuclear development for military purposes. A 2015 nuclear agreement has placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program, but Trump has expressed a desire to scrap it, making its future uncertain. The Saudi cabinet says its nuclear program will be in "full compliance with the principle of transparency" and meet nuclear safety standards "in accordance with an independent regulatory and supervisory framework." The country has accelerated plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades, according to officials and analysts, at a cost of around $80 billion. Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh said in October that the nuclear program would start by building two reactors, each producing between 1.2 and 1.6 gigawatts of electricity.

If Iran gets nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia will follow suit: Crown Prince

Iran&#39;s foreign minister said that the country is willing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that the country desires stability in the region.

Mohammad Zarif&#39;s comments were aired during an interview to a Pakistani channel yesterday.

Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today.

Pakistan-Iran close ties were harmed by recent regional alignments and Pakistan&#39;s tilt toward Saudi Arabia. Iran was categorically perturbed by Pakistan&#39;s assignment to head a Saudi-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism.&nbsp;

Tehran had previously expressed its willingness to better ties with Saudi Arabia when Pakistan&#39;s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Iran during the Yemen crisis. 
&nbsp;

Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today

Iran's foreign minister said that the country is willing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that the country desires stability in the region. Mohammad Zarif's comments were aired during an interview to a Pakistani channel yesterday. Zarif, at present, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad which will come to an end today. Pakistan-Iran close ties were harmed by recent regional alignments and Pakistan's tilt toward Saudi Arabia. Iran was categorically perturbed by Pakistan's assignment to head a Saudi-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism. Tehran had previously expressed its willingness to better ties with Saudi Arabia when Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Iran during the Yemen crisis.

Iran expresses willingness to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is planning to issue its first official tourist visas from April 1, according to tour operators.

The plan is a bid to allow non-Muslim tourists visit historic sites such as Jeddah, Riyadh and the ancient city of Mada&#39;in Saleh in the Arabian Desert.

If the plan goes ahead, then this will be the first time that the kingdom country will issue visas specifically for tourism, although tourists have been allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for religious business and so-called personal visits in the past.

&quot;We&#39;ve heard so much about Saudi Arabia in regards to business, religion, and politics. But as a traveller, getting to see beneath the news story and understand more about day-to-day life, the people of Saudi, and the amazing historical sites, is a huge driver of interest in visiting the country&quot;, said Andrea Ross, United States&#39; Director at Wild Frontiers.

Wild Frontiers, which specialises in travel to out-there destinations like Pakistan and the Caucasus (a region in Europe comprising Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia), is planning its first visit to Saudi Arabia in November this year.

Ross delved into the details about the ancient city of Mada&#39;in Saleh.

&quot;The Nabatean site of Mada&#39;in Saleh, featuring a number of spectacular rock-cut tombs similar in style to the Nabatean sites at Petra. And a visit to visit the Red Sea town of Jidda (Jeddah), where the only tourists will be Saudi families enjoying the sun and sea, the capital Riyadh and the Sarawat Mountains, close to the border with Yemen. Here you see villages that feature brick stone towers used as residences. This unique form of architecture used to be a highlight of any trip to Yemen. And with Yemen now closed off, seeing these here is an incredible opportunity,&quot; she was quoted by Conde Nast Traveler as saying.

In order to qualify for a tourist visa, there needs to be at least four guests travelling to Saudi Arabia. The visas will need to be attested by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, which means, you will still need to book through a registered tour operator in the country to obtain the visa, according to the tour company Abercrombie &amp; Kent, which already takes visitors to Saudi Arabia under existing visa rules.

Women below 25 years, would be able to apply for tourist visas, but will need a &quot;companion&quot; in order to enter Saudi Arabia.

Andrea Ross stressed that women need to wear headscarves in accordance with the country&#39;s conservative laws and stay with the group during the visit.

Non-Muslim travellers will not be able to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, according to Abercrombie &amp; Kent.

While the US Department of State has warned that &quot;terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia,&quot; the country&#39;s Level 2 travel advisory puts it at par with France and the United Kingdom, in terms of risk.

Saudi Arabian officials have been talking about opening the country to tourism since 2016.

&quot;We are cautiously optimistic. We are accepting bookings onto our November and December departures and will have an update on April 1. So maybe spring break will have to wait until next year,&quot; Ross clarified.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman have initiated the lifting of a number of restrictions, particularly on women since last year, in a bid to open up the conservative kingdom country.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia organised its first-ever women&#39;s run, marking a historical moment for its women in the local sports sector. More than 1,500 women had participated in the event.

Also, Saudi officials have announced last month that women would be able to participate in the Riyadh International Marathon next year. Prior to this, women were not allowed to participate in any marathon or other running events.

Saudi Arabia also held its first-ever women&#39;s basketball tournament recently and will soon be hosting a women&#39;s football tournament.

The kingdom country, which was the only one to not send female athletes to the Olympics, made international headlines recently when it saw the participation of two women in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

Saudi Arabia, which was the only country to not allow women to drive, lifted its ban in September last year, ending the long-standing policy that has been heavily criticised by many across the world since 1990.

In July 2017, Saudi Arabia introduced physical education for girls enrolled in schools and began granting licenses for running women&#39;s gyms in the country, thereby giving the women an opportunity to exercise in public.&nbsp;

If the plan goes ahead, then this will be the first time that the kingdom country will issue visas specifically for tourism

Saudi Arabia is planning to issue its first official tourist visas from April 1, according to tour operators. The plan is a bid to allow non-Muslim tourists visit historic sites such as Jeddah, Riyadh and the ancient city of Mada'in Saleh in the Arabian Desert. If the plan goes ahead, then this will be the first time that the kingdom country will issue visas specifically for tourism, although tourists have been allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for religious business and so-called personal visits in the past. "We've heard so much about Saudi Arabia in regards to business, religion, and politics. But as a traveller, getting to see beneath the news story and understand more about day-to-day life, the people of Saudi, and the amazing historical sites, is a huge driver of interest in visiting the country", said Andrea Ross, United States' Director at Wild Frontiers. Wild Frontiers, which specialises in travel to out-there destinations like Pakistan and the Caucasus (a region in Europe comprising Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia), is planning its first visit to Saudi Arabia in November this year. Ross delved into the details about the ancient city of Mada'in Saleh. "The Nabatean site of Mada'in Saleh, featuring a number of spectacular rock-cut tombs similar in style to the Nabatean sites at Petra. And a visit to visit the Red Sea town of Jidda (Jeddah), where the only tourists will be Saudi families enjoying the sun and sea, the capital Riyadh and the Sarawat Mountains, close to the border with Yemen. Here you see villages that feature brick stone towers used as residences. This unique form of architecture used to be a highlight of any trip to Yemen. And with Yemen now closed off, seeing these here is an incredible opportunity," she was quoted by Conde Nast Traveler as saying. In order to qualify for a tourist visa, there needs to be at least four guests travelling to Saudi Arabia. The visas will need to be attested by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, which means, you will still need to book through a registered tour operator in the country to obtain the visa, according to the tour company Abercrombie & Kent, which already takes visitors to Saudi Arabia under existing visa rules. Women below 25 years, would be able to apply for tourist visas, but will need a "companion" in order to enter Saudi Arabia. Andrea Ross stressed that women need to wear headscarves in accordance with the country's conservative laws and stay with the group during the visit. Non-Muslim travellers will not be able to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, according to Abercrombie & Kent. While the US Department of State has warned that "terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia," the country's Level 2 travel advisory puts it at par with France and the United Kingdom, in terms of risk. Saudi Arabian officials have been talking about opening the country to tourism since 2016. "We are cautiously optimistic. We are accepting bookings onto our November and December departures and will have an update on April 1. So maybe spring break will have to wait until next year," Ross clarified. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman have initiated the lifting of a number of restrictions, particularly on women since last year, in a bid to open up the conservative kingdom country. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia organised its first-ever women's run, marking a historical moment for its women in the local sports sector. More than 1,500 women had participated in the event. Also, Saudi officials have announced last month that women would be able to participate in the Riyadh International Marathon next year. Prior to this, women were not allowed to participate in any marathon or other running events. Saudi Arabia also held its first-ever women's basketball tournament recently and will soon be hosting a women's football tournament. The kingdom country, which was the only one to not send female athletes to the Olympics, made international headlines recently when it saw the participation of two women in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Saudi Arabia, which was the only country to not allow women to drive, lifted its ban in September last year, ending the long-standing policy that has been heavily criticised by many across the world since 1990. In July 2017, Saudi Arabia introduced physical education for girls enrolled in schools and began granting licenses for running women's gyms in the country, thereby giving the women an opportunity to exercise in public.

Saudi Arabia plans to issue tourist visas in April

Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22, the airline said on Wednesday.

The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn&#39;t materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel.

The announcement from Air India comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Monday, during his visit to the US, that Saudi Arabia had given permission to the Indian carrier for flying over its territory on its route from New Delhi to Tel Aviv.

Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country.

&quot;Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight to Tel Aviv from Delhi with effect from March 22,&quot; an airline spokesperson said.

The Air India flight will fly over Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to reach Israel, a senior airline official said on condition of anonymity.

The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will mean Air India will take a shorter route between Delhi and Tel Aviv and cover the distance in 7 hours and 10 minutes.

The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will save Air India almost 2 hours and 10 minutes as compared to the longer route taken by Israel&#39;s national carrier El Al, which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai, according to another Air India source.

El Al takes a circuitous route over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enters India and avoids countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This route, too, is covered in 7 hours and 10 minutes.

If Air India were to take this route from New Delhi, it would cover the entire distance in more than nine hours, according to the source.

The official added that the shorter flight duration, combined with Air India&#39;s strong domestic network, could give the national carrier an advantage over El Al.

Israeli PM Netanyahu had acknowledged that the Israeli national carrier El Al would be at a disadvantage both in terms of cost and travel time, adding that he is in talks with the national carrier to ensure it doesn&#39;t suffer economically.

The Air India flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It will depart from New Delhi at 4.50 pm and arrive in Tel Aviv at 8.25 pm. On its return leg, the plane will depart from Tel Aviv at 10.15 pm and land in Delhi at 9 am the day after, according to a statement from Air India.

Air India will operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.

During a visit to Israel in July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said direct flights would be launched between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv and the plan gathered steam following Netanyahu&#39;s visit to India in January this year.

Israel&#39;s tourism ministry has also announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for the flight operations.&nbsp;

The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn't materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel

Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22, the airline said on Wednesday. The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn't materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel. The announcement from Air India comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Monday, during his visit to the US, that Saudi Arabia had given permission to the Indian carrier for flying over its territory on its route from New Delhi to Tel Aviv. Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country. "Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight to Tel Aviv from Delhi with effect from March 22," an airline spokesperson said. The Air India flight will fly over Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to reach Israel, a senior airline official said on condition of anonymity. The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will mean Air India will take a shorter route between Delhi and Tel Aviv and cover the distance in 7 hours and 10 minutes. The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will save Air India almost 2 hours and 10 minutes as compared to the longer route taken by Israel's national carrier El Al, which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai, according to another Air India source. El Al takes a circuitous route over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enters India and avoids countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This route, too, is covered in 7 hours and 10 minutes. If Air India were to take this route from New Delhi, it would cover the entire distance in more than nine hours, according to the source. The official added that the shorter flight duration, combined with Air India's strong domestic network, could give the national carrier an advantage over El Al. Israeli PM Netanyahu had acknowledged that the Israeli national carrier El Al would be at a disadvantage both in terms of cost and travel time, adding that he is in talks with the national carrier to ensure it doesn't suffer economically. The Air India flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It will depart from New Delhi at 4.50 pm and arrive in Tel Aviv at 8.25 pm. On its return leg, the plane will depart from Tel Aviv at 10.15 pm and land in Delhi at 9 am the day after, according to a statement from Air India. Air India will operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route. During a visit to Israel in July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said direct flights would be launched between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv and the plan gathered steam following Netanyahu's visit to India in January this year. Israel's tourism ministry has also announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for the flight operations.

Air India to start thrice-a-week Delhi-Tel Aviv flight from March 22

Prime Minister Theresa May defended Britain&#39;s links to security ally Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Queen Elizabeth for lunch on a high-profile visit that drew protests over Riyadh&#39;s human rights record.

A fiery exchange in parliament between May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn underlined tension in Britain over Prince Mohammed&#39;s trip, which was aimed at building a broader economic partnership between the two countries, but has sparked anger about alleged human rights abuses and the war in Yemen.

&quot;The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country,&quot; May said, pausing her answer briefly as opposition lawmakers cried &quot;Shame!&quot;. She was alluding to intelligence-sharing on Islamist militant suspects.

The debate took place as Prince Mohammed lunched with the British monarch on the first leg of a trip packed with displays of diplomatic affection designed to help widen long-standing defence ties into a more far-reaching partnership.

May later met Prince Mohammed at her Downing Street office, extending a warm diplomatic welcome to the conservative kingdom&#39;s heir apparent and agreeing a 65 billion pound ($90.29 billion) trade and investment target.

Britain is looking for trading partners as it exits the European Union, and energy powerhouse Saudi Arabia needs to convince sceptical investors about its domestic reforms.

&quot;This is a significant boost for UK prosperity and a clear demonstration of the strong international confidence in our economy as we prepare to leave the European Union,&quot; a spokeswoman from May&#39;s office said after the meeting.

But demonstrators gathered outside May&#39;s office amid a heavy police presence to protest at both countries&#39; role in Yemen, where war has killed around 10,000 people. A Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 and critics say Riyadh has been using British-supplied weapons in devastating strikes.

&quot;I don&#39;t believe that someone like Mohammed bin Salman should be welcomed in Britain,&quot; said Hassan Yassine, a 25-year-old customer service worker from London. &quot;It is definitely not ethical, bearing in mind what is going on in Yemen every single day, every single second, even as we speak.&quot;

Corbyn said British military advisers were &quot;directing the war&quot; in Yemen. May&#39;s spokesman said British personnel had no role in carrying out coalition air strikes, and were not involved in Saudi targeting decisions.

Strategic partnership

Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after an egg was thrown at a police vehicle as bin Salman&#39;s motorcade arrived in Downing Street.

Wednesday&#39;s first official engagement was a trip to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth - a rare honour usually reserved for heads of state.

The Saudi delegation then met May at her offices to launch a UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.

The meeting set out the mutual trade and investment target, which would include direct investment in Britain and new Saudi public procurement with British companies. This would be spread across sectors including finance, education, healthcare, renewable energy and defence, May&#39;s office said.

Britain is vying to land the stock market listing of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, but no decision is expected this week.

&quot;We would like the Aramco share option to be issued in the United Kingdom and we will continue to suggest the City would be the best place for it,&quot; junior foreign office minister Alistair Burt told parliament.

Later this month Prince Mohammed visits the United States, which also wants the lucrative listing, although sources said both countries might miss out.

British officials were privately delighted at the decision by Prince Mohammed, 32, to choose Britain as the major Western destination on his first foreign trip since becoming heir to the Saudi throne last year.

The British government is keen to develop a two-way trade and investment relationship, eyeing both an expanded market in Saudi Arabia for service sector exports, and attracting Saudi cash to finance domestic projects.

For his part, Saudi Arabia&#39;s ambitious heir wants to show that &quot;shock&quot; reforms have made his country a better place to invest and a more tolerant society.

Photographs posted online showed London taxis displaying advertising graphics welcoming Prince Mohammed, and electronic billboards around the capital promoted pro-Saudi messages with the hashtag #anewsaudiarabia.

Business deals are possible with British defence group BAE Systems and European weapons maker MBDA, and initial agreements could be concluded on gas exploration, petrochemicals and other industries, according to British and Saudi sources.

Royal treatment

The three-day visit will include a second Royal audience - dinner with the Prince Charles and Prince William on Wednesday - and a prestigious visit to May&#39;s country residence on Thursday.

The prime minister intends to use the private dinner at Chequers, a 16th-century manor house 40 miles (60 km) northwest of London, to further press her concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, her spokesman said.

The Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Iran-allied Houthi movement in Yemen in a campaign to restore its internationally recognised government, generating what the United Nations said in January is the world&#39;s worst humanitarian crisis.

Demonstrators are protesting against Britain for licensing 4.6 billion pounds of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia since 2015.

May said all arms sales were strictly regulated, that Saudi Arabia&#39;s involvement in the conflict was backed by the UN&nbsp;Security Council and her government supported it.

&quot;The prime minister and crown prince agreed on the importance of full and unfettered humanitarian and commercial access, including through the ports, and that a political solution was ultimately the only way to end the conflict and humanitarian suffering in Yemen,&quot; the statement from May&#39;s office said.

A fiery exchange in parliament between May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn underlined tension in Britain over Prince Mohammed's trip

Prime Minister Theresa May defended Britain's links to security ally Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Queen Elizabeth for lunch on a high-profile visit that drew protests over Riyadh's human rights record. A fiery exchange in parliament between May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn underlined tension in Britain over Prince Mohammed's trip, which was aimed at building a broader economic partnership between the two countries, but has sparked anger about alleged human rights abuses and the war in Yemen. "The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country," May said, pausing her answer briefly as opposition lawmakers cried "Shame!". She was alluding to intelligence-sharing on Islamist militant suspects. The debate took place as Prince Mohammed lunched with the British monarch on the first leg of a trip packed with displays of diplomatic affection designed to help widen long-standing defence ties into a more far-reaching partnership. May later met Prince Mohammed at her Downing Street office, extending a warm diplomatic welcome to the conservative kingdom's heir apparent and agreeing a 65 billion pound ($90.29 billion) trade and investment target. Britain is looking for trading partners as it exits the European Union, and energy powerhouse Saudi Arabia needs to convince sceptical investors about its domestic reforms. "This is a significant boost for UK prosperity and a clear demonstration of the strong international confidence in our economy as we prepare to leave the European Union," a spokeswoman from May's office said after the meeting. But demonstrators gathered outside May's office amid a heavy police presence to protest at both countries' role in Yemen, where war has killed around 10,000 people. A Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 and critics say Riyadh has been using British-supplied weapons in devastating strikes. "I don't believe that someone like Mohammed bin Salman should be welcomed in Britain," said Hassan Yassine, a 25-year-old customer service worker from London. "It is definitely not ethical, bearing in mind what is going on in Yemen every single day, every single second, even as we speak." Corbyn said British military advisers were "directing the war" in Yemen. May's spokesman said British personnel had no role in carrying out coalition air strikes, and were not involved in Saudi targeting decisions. Strategic partnership Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after an egg was thrown at a police vehicle as bin Salman's motorcade arrived in Downing Street. Wednesday's first official engagement was a trip to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth - a rare honour usually reserved for heads of state. The Saudi delegation then met May at her offices to launch a UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. The meeting set out the mutual trade and investment target, which would include direct investment in Britain and new Saudi public procurement with British companies. This would be spread across sectors including finance, education, healthcare, renewable energy and defence, May's office said. Britain is vying to land the stock market listing of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, but no decision is expected this week. "We would like the Aramco share option to be issued in the United Kingdom and we will continue to suggest the City would be the best place for it," junior foreign office minister Alistair Burt told parliament. Later this month Prince Mohammed visits the United States, which also wants the lucrative listing, although sources said both countries might miss out. British officials were privately delighted at the decision by Prince Mohammed, 32, to choose Britain as the major Western destination on his first foreign trip since becoming heir to the Saudi throne last year. The British government is keen to develop a two-way trade and investment relationship, eyeing both an expanded market in Saudi Arabia for service sector exports, and attracting Saudi cash to finance domestic projects. For his part, Saudi Arabia's ambitious heir wants to show that "shock" reforms have made his country a better place to invest and a more tolerant society. Photographs posted online showed London taxis displaying advertising graphics welcoming Prince Mohammed, and electronic billboards around the capital promoted pro-Saudi messages with the hashtag #anewsaudiarabia. Business deals are possible with British defence group BAE Systems and European weapons maker MBDA, and initial agreements could be concluded on gas exploration, petrochemicals and other industries, according to British and Saudi sources. Royal treatment The three-day visit will include a second Royal audience - dinner with the Prince Charles and Prince William on Wednesday - and a prestigious visit to May's country residence on Thursday. The prime minister intends to use the private dinner at Chequers, a 16th-century manor house 40 miles (60 km) northwest of London, to further press her concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, her spokesman said. The Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Iran-allied Houthi movement in Yemen in a campaign to restore its internationally recognised government, generating what the United Nations said in January is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Demonstrators are protesting against Britain for licensing 4.6 billion pounds of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia since 2015. May said all arms sales were strictly regulated, that Saudi Arabia's involvement in the conflict was backed by the UN Security Council and her government supported it. "The prime minister and crown prince agreed on the importance of full and unfettered humanitarian and commercial access, including through the ports, and that a political solution was ultimately the only way to end the conflict and humanitarian suffering in Yemen," the statement from May's office said.

Theresa May defends Saudi ties as crown prince gets royal welcome in London

Mervat Bukhari, a force of nature draped head-to-toe in Islamic niqab, braved insults and taunts to become the first Saudi woman to work at a gas station, something unimaginable not long ago.

The kingdom, where conservatives once bridled at even limited freedoms for women, is in the midst of reforms that mark the biggest cultural shake-up in its modern history.

Kickstarted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the reforms include the historic decision allowing women to drive from June, attend soccer games and take on jobs that once fell outside the narrow confines of traditional gender roles.

But the backlash faced by women like Bukhari illustrates how newfound empowerment is a potential social lightning rod in a country unaccustomed to such visibility for women.

When Bukhari, 43 and a mother of four, was promoted as supervisor of a gas station in the eastern Khobar city last October, insults began pouring in on social media with the hashtag &quot;Saudi women don&#39;t work at gas stations&quot;.

Bukhari, previously employed in a junior role by the same parent company, was forced to go on the defensive, telling critics she was in a managerial position and not physically handling fuel nozzles.

&quot;I am a supervisor. I don&#39;t fill gas myself,&quot; she reasoned, seeking to win a modicum of respectability for a job that class-conscious Saudi men disdain.

&quot;Women today have the right to do any work.&quot;Prince Mohammed&#39;s Vision 2030 reform plan for a post-oil era seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now.

Government statistics also put more than one million Saudi women as currently looking to enter the workforce.&nbsp;

The reforms have seen the Saudi labour market slowly open up to women, introducing them to jobs that were once firmly the preserve of men.

The social change, catalysed in large measure by what experts characterise as economic pain owing to a protracted oil slump, has introduced a series of firsts.

Saudi media has championed in recent months the first woman restaurant chef, first woman veterinarian and even the first woman tour guide.

But women face sobering realities -- despite often being better qualified than men.

&quot;Saudi women are better educated but less mobile, less employed and vastly underpaid,&quot; Karen Young, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP.

Average monthly salaries in the private sector are close to 8,000 Saudi riyals ($2,134, 1,748 euros) for men, and only 5,000 riyals for women, according to research firm Jadwa.

Saudi Arabia ranked a low of 138 out of 144 countries in the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum on gender parity.

But Riyadh is seeking to change that through what appears to be social engineering.

The decision to allow women to drive after a decades-long ban could give women the much-needed mobility to join the workforce.

For the first time, women are seen alongside men in jazz music concerts and in mixed-gender restaurants, as the influence of the once-feared religious police -- notorious for enforcing gender segregation -- appears to be waning.

&quot;The well-known expression: &#39;You are a woman, cover your face&#39;&nbsp;seems to be disappearing from our society,&quot; human rights lawyer Abdulrahman al-Lahim wrote recently in the pro-government Okaz newspaper.The reforms have had an unwitting consequence, observers note -- competition with arch-nemesis Iran to be more liberal over women&#39;s rights.&nbsp;

Tehran recently relaxed its crackdown on women failing to wear the compulsory headscarf.

But Saudi activists say social change will only be cosmetic without dismantling the kingdom&#39;s rigid guardianship system, which requires that women seek permission from a male relative to study, travel and other activities.

That leaves many vulnerable to the whims of a controlling father, a violent husband or a vengeful son.

Horror stories have regularly surfaced.

Women inmates are often reported to be stuck in prisons after completing their terms because they were not claimed by their guardians.&nbsp;

One Saudi woman told AFP how she was stuck in limbo, unable to even renew her passport, when her father, her only male guardian, slipped into a coma after an accident.

&quot;If I could choose between the right to drive or the right to end guardianship, I would choose the latter,&quot; a women`s activist said on the condition of anonymity.Authorities appear to be slowly dismantling the many injustices against women ingrained in the law.

Saudi women now no longer need male permission to start business.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia also recently annulled the &quot;house of obedience&quot; article in the marriage law, which grants a husband the right to summon his wife to his home against her will.

The reform introduces a novel concept in married life: mutual consent.

&quot;This is not a revolution, this is evolution,&quot; Hoda al-Helaissi, a member of the advisory Shura Council, told AFP, referring to newfound social liberties.

&quot;It&#39;s a rite of passage for women.&quot;

Back at Bukhari&#39;s home in neighbouring Dammam city, she embraced her youngest son Mohammed -- who stood by her even as her brothers decried her gas station job as a shocking breach of tradition.

But the 16-year-old prefers to hide his mother&#39;s job from his peers, hoping to protect her from even more insults.

&quot;Maybe five years from now it will be normal to see women at gas stations,&quot; he said, kissing his mother&#39;s hand.

The kingdom, where conservatives once bridled at even limited freedoms for women, is in the midst of reforms that mark the biggest cultural shake-up in its modern history

Mervat Bukhari, a force of nature draped head-to-toe in Islamic niqab, braved insults and taunts to become the first Saudi woman to work at a gas station, something unimaginable not long ago. The kingdom, where conservatives once bridled at even limited freedoms for women, is in the midst of reforms that mark the biggest cultural shake-up in its modern history. Kickstarted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the reforms include the historic decision allowing women to drive from June, attend soccer games and take on jobs that once fell outside the narrow confines of traditional gender roles. But the backlash faced by women like Bukhari illustrates how newfound empowerment is a potential social lightning rod in a country unaccustomed to such visibility for women. When Bukhari, 43 and a mother of four, was promoted as supervisor of a gas station in the eastern Khobar city last October, insults began pouring in on social media with the hashtag "Saudi women don't work at gas stations". Bukhari, previously employed in a junior role by the same parent company, was forced to go on the defensive, telling critics she was in a managerial position and not physically handling fuel nozzles. "I am a supervisor. I don't fill gas myself," she reasoned, seeking to win a modicum of respectability for a job that class-conscious Saudi men disdain. "Women today have the right to do any work."Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 reform plan for a post-oil era seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now. Government statistics also put more than one million Saudi women as currently looking to enter the workforce. The reforms have seen the Saudi labour market slowly open up to women, introducing them to jobs that were once firmly the preserve of men. The social change, catalysed in large measure by what experts characterise as economic pain owing to a protracted oil slump, has introduced a series of firsts. Saudi media has championed in recent months the first woman restaurant chef, first woman veterinarian and even the first woman tour guide. But women face sobering realities -- despite often being better qualified than men. "Saudi women are better educated but less mobile, less employed and vastly underpaid," Karen Young, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP. Average monthly salaries in the private sector are close to 8,000 Saudi riyals ($2,134, 1,748 euros) for men, and only 5,000 riyals for women, according to research firm Jadwa. Saudi Arabia ranked a low of 138 out of 144 countries in the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum on gender parity. But Riyadh is seeking to change that through what appears to be social engineering. The decision to allow women to drive after a decades-long ban could give women the much-needed mobility to join the workforce. For the first time, women are seen alongside men in jazz music concerts and in mixed-gender restaurants, as the influence of the once-feared religious police -- notorious for enforcing gender segregation -- appears to be waning. "The well-known expression: 'You are a woman, cover your face' seems to be disappearing from our society," human rights lawyer Abdulrahman al-Lahim wrote recently in the pro-government Okaz newspaper.The reforms have had an unwitting consequence, observers note -- competition with arch-nemesis Iran to be more liberal over women's rights. Tehran recently relaxed its crackdown on women failing to wear the compulsory headscarf. But Saudi activists say social change will only be cosmetic without dismantling the kingdom's rigid guardianship system, which requires that women seek permission from a male relative to study, travel and other activities. That leaves many vulnerable to the whims of a controlling father, a violent husband or a vengeful son. Horror stories have regularly surfaced. Women inmates are often reported to be stuck in prisons after completing their terms because they were not claimed by their guardians. One Saudi woman told AFP how she was stuck in limbo, unable to even renew her passport, when her father, her only male guardian, slipped into a coma after an accident. "If I could choose between the right to drive or the right to end guardianship, I would choose the latter," a women`s activist said on the condition of anonymity.Authorities appear to be slowly dismantling the many injustices against women ingrained in the law. Saudi women now no longer need male permission to start business. Saudi Arabia also recently annulled the "house of obedience" article in the marriage law, which grants a husband the right to summon his wife to his home against her will. The reform introduces a novel concept in married life: mutual consent. "This is not a revolution, this is evolution," Hoda al-Helaissi, a member of the advisory Shura Council, told AFP, referring to newfound social liberties. "It's a rite of passage for women." Back at Bukhari's home in neighbouring Dammam city, she embraced her youngest son Mohammed -- who stood by her even as her brothers decried her gas station job as a shocking breach of tradition. But the 16-year-old prefers to hide his mother's job from his peers, hoping to protect her from even more insults. "Maybe five years from now it will be normal to see women at gas stations," he said, kissing his mother's hand.

Saudi women will drive but face bumpy road to empowerment

Iraq has overtaken Saudi Arabia by a wide margin to become India&#39;s top crude oil supplier, meeting more than a fifth of the country&#39;s oil needs in the current financial year.

Saudi Arabia traditionally has been India&#39;s top oil source but in the April-January period of 2017-18, Iraq dethroned it, supplying 38.9 million tonnes (MT) of oil, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said Saudi Arabia supplied 30.9 MT of crude oil in the first 10 months of the current fiscal. India imported 184.4 MT of crude oil during the period as compared to 213.9 MT in the entire 2016-17 fiscal, and 202.8 MT in 2015-16.

Despite India cutting imports over delays in award of contract for a gas field development, Iran continued to be the third largest supplier selling 18.4 MT during April-January. This is the second year in a row that Iran has occupied the third position.

Iran was India&#39;s second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 but western sanctions over its suspected nuclear programme relegated it to the 7th spot in the subsequent years. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India bought 11 MT and 10.95 MT respectively from it.

Sourcing from Iran increased to 12.7 MT in 2015-16, giving it the sixth spot. In the following year, the Iranian supplies jumped to 27.2 MT to catapult it to the third spot, Pradhan said. Venezuela is India&#39;s fourth largest supplier with 15.5 MT during April-January, followed by Nigeria with 14.9 MT, he said.

India is 80 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs. The easing of Western sanctions in 2015 has led to the Indian refiners raising their purchase from Iran. Kuwait, which was the third largest supplier in 2013-14, has steadily slipped, supplying just 10.2 MT in the first 10 months of the current fiscal. It had in 2014-15 supplied 17.9 MT crude, which came down to 11 MT in 2015-16 and 9.8 MT in 2016-17, Pradhan said.

India&#39;s dependence on the West Asia for its crude oil needs has increased 58 percent in 2014-15 to 63.7 per cent in the April-January period of this fiscal, he said. India had imported 109.9 MT out of 189.4 MT of total crude imports in 2014-15 from the region. In the current fiscal so far, the Middle East has accounted for 117.5 MT of crude oil supplies from India.

Saudi Arabia traditionally has been India's top oil source but in the April-January period of 2017-18, Iraq dethroned it, supplying 38.9 million tonnes (MT) of oil, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday

Iraq has overtaken Saudi Arabia by a wide margin to become India's top crude oil supplier, meeting more than a fifth of the country's oil needs in the current financial year. Saudi Arabia traditionally has been India's top oil source but in the April-January period of 2017-18, Iraq dethroned it, supplying 38.9 million tonnes (MT) of oil, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said Saudi Arabia supplied 30.9 MT of crude oil in the first 10 months of the current fiscal. India imported 184.4 MT of crude oil during the period as compared to 213.9 MT in the entire 2016-17 fiscal, and 202.8 MT in 2015-16. Despite India cutting imports over delays in award of contract for a gas field development, Iran continued to be the third largest supplier selling 18.4 MT during April-January. This is the second year in a row that Iran has occupied the third position. Iran was India's second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 but western sanctions over its suspected nuclear programme relegated it to the 7th spot in the subsequent years. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India bought 11 MT and 10.95 MT respectively from it. Sourcing from Iran increased to 12.7 MT in 2015-16, giving it the sixth spot. In the following year, the Iranian supplies jumped to 27.2 MT to catapult it to the third spot, Pradhan said. Venezuela is India's fourth largest supplier with 15.5 MT during April-January, followed by Nigeria with 14.9 MT, he said. India is 80 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs. The easing of Western sanctions in 2015 has led to the Indian refiners raising their purchase from Iran. Kuwait, which was the third largest supplier in 2013-14, has steadily slipped, supplying just 10.2 MT in the first 10 months of the current fiscal. It had in 2014-15 supplied 17.9 MT crude, which came down to 11 MT in 2015-16 and 9.8 MT in 2016-17, Pradhan said. India's dependence on the West Asia for its crude oil needs has increased 58 percent in 2014-15 to 63.7 per cent in the April-January period of this fiscal, he said. India had imported 109.9 MT out of 189.4 MT of total crude imports in 2014-15 from the region. In the current fiscal so far, the Middle East has accounted for 117.5 MT of crude oil supplies from India.

Iraq pips Saudi Arabia to become India's top crude oil supplier, meets more than a fifth of country's needs

It is unimaginable that the Saudi Arabian society with such strict Islamic tenets, and following the austere Wahhabi system, could be changed over in so short a time.&nbsp; It is unthinkable that this is the same Saudi Arabia, where weekly beheadings and amputations of murderers, rapists and thieves, was announced on television, by the grace of the King and Protector of the Harmain and Sharifain, the grand mosques of Mecca and Medina.&nbsp;

I have attended one such beheading near Ba&rsquo;atha at the colloquially named chop-chop square and, as I look back, could not have imagined this turn-about for at least another hundred years. Is this the same country, where all you could see was black robed, burqa-clad, and fully veiled women, covered from head to toe, and white thobe clad men &ndash; gender separation was the rule.&nbsp;

I recall having a meal at a pizza joint, as a family we were in a cubicle, separated from the next couple by a high wall. That was the norm &ndash; no mixing with strangers. Schools for girls were cordoned off by high walls &ndash; by a literal purdah -&nbsp; and male teachers could only instruct through remote one-way cameras. Even elderly women could not leave their homes without a mahram &ndash; male escort.&nbsp;

This rigid adherence to Wahabbi values, where even swallowing one&rsquo;s spit during the month of Ramadan was considered a sacrilege, for over two centuries, cannot have come about without resistance from the religious order. Muttawas, falling under the control of the Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (yes, it is true there was a Ministry by this name), must have been bludgeoned into submission. Could this be the same country where the Head Islamic authority, the blind Sheikh Abdullah bin Baaz, still proclaims the world is flat, and that the sun revolves around the Earth?

The change started sometime back in late 2017. Harbinger of these were two incidents: one, imprisonment of many Royals at the Carlton Hotel on grounds of corruption and two, an innocuous news item, &ldquo;Belgium to appoint a woman, Dominique Mineur, as its ambassador to the Kingdom&rdquo;. This was strange and unusual in a highly male-dominated bastion, where even our Sikh Foreign Service officers were unwelcome because they sported a beard, which the Saudis claimed to be the sole preserve of Muslims.&nbsp;

This appointment reminded me of an incident in 1993 at the Saudi Trade Fair in Riyadh. My family and I had just parked our car and were heading for the entrance to the exhibition hall when we saw an altercation involving the Belgian ambassador. Apparently, while alighting from the car, the ambassador&rsquo;s wife, being European and dressed in a skirt under her abaya &ndash; a black gown-like cloak worn by most foreigners - had unwittingly exposed her legs.&nbsp;

The religious police, the Muttawa, pounced on her, slamming the car door and shouting abuses at her. The all-powerful religious police were an authority to themselves; they were crude and diplomatic courtesies mattered little to them. Far cry from that incident, a woman of the same country is now coming as its Ambassador - apt and fitting desserts!&nbsp;

All this was followed in quick succession by women being allowed to drive, witness football matches, without the need of a male escort, and other reforms. And now, the most unthinkable has happened, the Rubicon has been crossed - &ldquo;Saudi Arabia allows women to join the military&rdquo;. This morning&rsquo;s news has literally taken the breath out of me. I am at a total loss to understand as for how did all this happen &ndash; not even in my wildest dreams could one have imagined these far-reaching reforms?&nbsp;

The next change is likely to be regarding consumption of alcohol, which is currently forbidden, except for members of the diplomatic community. Strange as it may sound, the Indian Rupee was the official legal tender in Saudi Arabia till 1954, and beer was not considered as alcohol and was available in Jeddah and Dammam till as late 1977.&nbsp;

Even driving by women was largely ignored. In any case, only the royals and few rich Saudis could afford cars but all this changed when a Saudi Princess fell in love with a commoner, and eloped with him in a car from Riyadh to Jeddah, in a bid to leave the Kingdom.&nbsp;

Mishaal bint Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Saud, was just 19 when she fell in love with Khaled al-Sha&rsquo;er Mulhallal, nephew of the Saudi Ambassador in Beirut. This was unthinkable in the traditional society, and both were executed on 15 July 1977 by a firing squad in Jeddah. This incident of failed and unrequited love found expression in the movie, &ldquo;Death of a Princess&rdquo;.&nbsp;

Ever since the segregation of sexes, and not being allowed to mingle with non-relatives, has been strictly enforced. Little wonder, that while driving around the city in the late 90s we would often see young women holding a placard with their phone numbers, while being driven around. Hopefully, this too may change, and young people allowed to meet and make their choice of life partner, rather than in the traditional way of an arranged marriage.

Somehow I feel nostalgic and yearn that the old conservative country is back &ndash; wish it had stayed the same, for nothing else if not amusement, in seeing such archaic practices in the modern age. This complete makeover will dramatically alter this traditional society &ndash; what remains to be seen is how this social change is managed, and whether it is for the good?&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Sweeping social changes in an obscurantist nation might change a traditional society.

It is unimaginable that the Saudi Arabian society with such strict Islamic tenets, and following the austere Wahhabi system, could be changed over in so short a time. It is unthinkable that this is the same Saudi Arabia, where weekly beheadings and amputations of murderers, rapists and thieves, was announced on television, by the grace of the King and Protector of the Harmain and Sharifain, the grand mosques of Mecca and Medina. I have attended one such beheading near Ba’atha at the colloquially named chop-chop square and, as I look back, could not have imagined this turn-about for at least another hundred years. Is this the same country, where all you could see was black robed, burqa-clad, and fully veiled women, covered from head to toe, and white thobe clad men – gender separation was the rule. I recall having a meal at a pizza joint, as a family we were in a cubicle, separated from the next couple by a high wall. That was the norm – no mixing with strangers. Schools for girls were cordoned off by high walls – by a literal purdah - and male teachers could only instruct through remote one-way cameras. Even elderly women could not leave their homes without a mahram – male escort. This rigid adherence to Wahabbi values, where even swallowing one’s spit during the month of Ramadan was considered a sacrilege, for over two centuries, cannot have come about without resistance from the religious order. Muttawas, falling under the control of the Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (yes, it is true there was a Ministry by this name), must have been bludgeoned into submission. Could this be the same country where the Head Islamic authority, the blind Sheikh Abdullah bin Baaz, still proclaims the world is flat, and that the sun revolves around the Earth? The change started sometime back in late 2017. Harbinger of these were two incidents: one, imprisonment of many Royals at the Carlton Hotel on grounds of corruption and two, an innocuous news item, “Belgium to appoint a woman, Dominique Mineur, as its ambassador to the Kingdom”. This was strange and unusual in a highly male-dominated bastion, where even our Sikh Foreign Service officers were unwelcome because they sported a beard, which the Saudis claimed to be the sole preserve of Muslims. This appointment reminded me of an incident in 1993 at the Saudi Trade Fair in Riyadh. My family and I had just parked our car and were heading for the entrance to the exhibition hall when we saw an altercation involving the Belgian ambassador. Apparently, while alighting from the car, the ambassador’s wife, being European and dressed in a skirt under her abaya – a black gown-like cloak worn by most foreigners - had unwittingly exposed her legs. The religious police, the Muttawa, pounced on her, slamming the car door and shouting abuses at her. The all-powerful religious police were an authority to themselves; they were crude and diplomatic courtesies mattered little to them. Far cry from that incident, a woman of the same country is now coming as its Ambassador - apt and fitting desserts! All this was followed in quick succession by women being allowed to drive, witness football matches, without the need of a male escort, and other reforms. And now, the most unthinkable has happened, the Rubicon has been crossed - “Saudi Arabia allows women to join the military”. This morning’s news has literally taken the breath out of me. I am at a total loss to understand as for how did all this happen – not even in my wildest dreams could one have imagined these far-reaching reforms? The next change is likely to be regarding consumption of alcohol, which is currently forbidden, except for members of the diplomatic community. Strange as it may sound, the Indian Rupee was the official legal tender in Saudi Arabia till 1954, and beer was not considered as alcohol and was available in Jeddah and Dammam till as late 1977. Even driving by women was largely ignored. In any case, only the royals and few rich Saudis could afford cars but all this changed when a Saudi Princess fell in love with a commoner, and eloped with him in a car from Riyadh to Jeddah, in a bid to leave the Kingdom. Mishaal bint Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Saud, was just 19 when she fell in love with Khaled al-Sha’er Mulhallal, nephew of the Saudi Ambassador in Beirut. This was unthinkable in the traditional society, and both were executed on 15 July 1977 by a firing squad in Jeddah. This incident of failed and unrequited love found expression in the movie, “Death of a Princess”. Ever since the segregation of sexes, and not being allowed to mingle with non-relatives, has been strictly enforced. Little wonder, that while driving around the city in the late 90s we would often see young women holding a placard with their phone numbers, while being driven around. Hopefully, this too may change, and young people allowed to meet and make their choice of life partner, rather than in the traditional way of an arranged marriage. Somehow I feel nostalgic and yearn that the old conservative country is back – wish it had stayed the same, for nothing else if not amusement, in seeing such archaic practices in the modern age. This complete makeover will dramatically alter this traditional society – what remains to be seen is how this social change is managed, and whether it is for the good? (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: What happens behind the black burqah in Saudi Arabia?

The tectonic changes taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have left most, if not all, political and diplomatic pundits aghast. This is no Arab Spring &ndash; this is a sandy tsunami that too generated internally, without apparent cause, and probably with little local impulsion. Whoever felt that change is not possible by one man, the person then obviously has not run across the likes of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, MBS for short. Recent events also provide ample evidence that King Salman, his father representing the old guard, is now a mere titular head &ndash; the actual paradigm shift is towards the new generation, represented by MBS.

The uppermost question now in everyone&rsquo;s mind is, will he be able to sustain this frenetic pace? Where did his motivation come from &ndash; he is a sabra, having done his graduation from King Saud University; he is not one of the foreign-educated princes who might have been influenced by the so-called &lsquo;democratic principles&rsquo; of the free world. Most other princes have been more than affected by corrupt practices and power play.&nbsp; Therefore, it is all the more amazing to see this young, locally-educated prince expounding major visionary changes for his country &ndash; veering it away from the single oil-based industry, to a more innovative economy.

One thing is certain, and I say this from personal experience, you never can predict what goes on in the Arab mind. Years ago, in late 1990, just prior to the First Gulf War, I was seated at dinner with some Indian friends. Having just joined as the new Indian Military Attach&eacute;, and with war clouds on the horizon, it was but natural for the conversation to veer around to that. &ldquo;So, tell us Colonel, is war likely, and do we stay back or leave?&rdquo;.&nbsp;

Commanding all my years of military experience, and seeing what the Coalition Forces had arrayed against the Iraqis, I grandly said, &ldquo;No way &ndash; there will be no war. The Americans will tuck their tails and run; they don&rsquo;t want to see any more body bags and, the Iraqis will realise they will get clobbered if the Americans do stay and fight&rdquo;. The war started the very next morning, leaving me red in the face; so much for my understanding of the Middle East.&nbsp;

Lesson No 1, nothing is obvious or logical where the Arab mind is concerned. Lesson No 2 was that oil and greed were far greater motivators than principled behavior and, that it was legit to even cook up tales of &lsquo;WMDs in vast numbers&rsquo;,&nbsp; of &lsquo;ruthless dictatorships&rsquo; and such like drivel, to achieve their goal of area domination.

Where is the freedom and democracy that was promised &ndash; sadly the only educated, historically and culturally rich societies of Iraq, Syria and Iran were destroyed beyond repair or destabilised to such extent, that the battle goes on till this day. The US has always stood by the dictators, particularly, when it suited their national interests of controlling the source of energy supply and, once done, the same leaders become pariahs. Pure economics and self-interest, there had been no concern for the nations or their citizens.

Coming back to young MBS and his vision of a grand and modern Saudi Arabia. How has he been able to achieve all this in the face of opposition from the established order &ndash; his uncles, the royal princes, and the clergy? The Saudi National Guards (SANG)W, an elite and best-equipped force, was the fief of late King Abdullah bin Saud, and this mantle passed on to his son, Mitteb bin Abdullah.&nbsp;

SANG consists of Bedouin stock and are intensely loyal to their roots and to the royal household. No usurper (and MBS was certainly one) could have changed their loyalty; so, how did he manage to stage a &lsquo;palace coup&rsquo; against Prince Mitteb, and still attract their loyalty? How was Prince Muqqrin bin Saud, his uncle and heir apparent, sidelined? I met Prince Muqqrin, Governor of Hail Province, in 1992 during my tenure in Saudi Arabia &ndash; a British trained fighter pilot, he seemed to be fairly modern in his outlooks, and fitted-in into the natural hierarchal change in this orthodox society.

Same goes for the Royal Saudi Land, Sea &amp; Air Forces (SNLF), which come under Prince MBS, as Minister of Defence. A largely chocolate cream bunch of overweight and paunchy soldiers and leaders, SNLF was propped up merely for the cause of providing jobs and for defending the nation &ndash; but not in any real or serious way.

For the serious bit, Saudi oil assets and petrodollars bought the presence of the US, Western Forces and even an Armored Brigade from Pakistan. So suspicious were the royals of their own military, that if the armoured brigade was stationed in Tabuk (Northern Saudi Arabia), tank ammunition was kept thousands of miles to the South at Al Kharj (Near Riyadh); furthermore, keys to the depot were always with a royal!&nbsp;

In the recent tsunami, this ceremonial military too has been struck by an awesome sandstorm. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Abdul Rahman bin Saleh al-Bunyan) has been sacked and replaced by First Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli. Senior hierarchy of the Defence Ministry has been removed, and a woman, Tammadur bint Youssef al-Ramah (name suggests she is a commoner) appointed as Deputy Defence Minister. Holy Moses &ndash; such a step was totally unthinkable, and&nbsp; conservatives must be turning in their graves.&nbsp;

Probable reason for this massive reshuffle is the poor performance of the forces in their fight against the Houthis in Yemen. Latter have struck Saudi land, sea and air assets with virtual impunity. Naturally, this has been upsetting for MBS and the Kingdom, having pumped in billions of dollars in arms purchases &ndash; the expected Return on Investment (ROI) has been zilch. Though the Saudis have been quick to dismiss adverse war results as the cause, it is most likely the underlying reason.&nbsp;

There is another fear ever-present amongst the royals &ndash; that of a military coup. It is for that reason they have tolerated the un-Islamic presence of US troops, as also a sizeable Pakistani military contingent, willingly given by the latter as quid pro quo for the financial lifeline assured by Saudi Arabia. By removing the top hierarchy, Prince MBS has consolidated his position.&nbsp; But he is &ldquo;riding a tiger&rdquo; and time will tell if he can get off without being eaten.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

The probable reason for this massive reshuffle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the poor performance of the forces in their fight against the Houthis in Yemen.

The tectonic changes taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have left most, if not all, political and diplomatic pundits aghast. This is no Arab Spring – this is a sandy tsunami that too generated internally, without apparent cause, and probably with little local impulsion. Whoever felt that change is not possible by one man, the person then obviously has not run across the likes of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, MBS for short. Recent events also provide ample evidence that King Salman, his father representing the old guard, is now a mere titular head – the actual paradigm shift is towards the new generation, represented by MBS. The uppermost question now in everyone’s mind is, will he be able to sustain this frenetic pace? Where did his motivation come from – he is a sabra, having done his graduation from King Saud University; he is not one of the foreign-educated princes who might have been influenced by the so-called ‘democratic principles’ of the free world. Most other princes have been more than affected by corrupt practices and power play. Therefore, it is all the more amazing to see this young, locally-educated prince expounding major visionary changes for his country – veering it away from the single oil-based industry, to a more innovative economy. One thing is certain, and I say this from personal experience, you never can predict what goes on in the Arab mind. Years ago, in late 1990, just prior to the First Gulf War, I was seated at dinner with some Indian friends. Having just joined as the new Indian Military Attaché, and with war clouds on the horizon, it was but natural for the conversation to veer around to that. “So, tell us Colonel, is war likely, and do we stay back or leave?”. Commanding all my years of military experience, and seeing what the Coalition Forces had arrayed against the Iraqis, I grandly said, “No way – there will be no war. The Americans will tuck their tails and run; they don’t want to see any more body bags and, the Iraqis will realise they will get clobbered if the Americans do stay and fight”. The war started the very next morning, leaving me red in the face; so much for my understanding of the Middle East. Lesson No 1, nothing is obvious or logical where the Arab mind is concerned. Lesson No 2 was that oil and greed were far greater motivators than principled behavior and, that it was legit to even cook up tales of ‘WMDs in vast numbers’, of ‘ruthless dictatorships’ and such like drivel, to achieve their goal of area domination. Where is the freedom and democracy that was promised – sadly the only educated, historically and culturally rich societies of Iraq, Syria and Iran were destroyed beyond repair or destabilised to such extent, that the battle goes on till this day. The US has always stood by the dictators, particularly, when it suited their national interests of controlling the source of energy supply and, once done, the same leaders become pariahs. Pure economics and self-interest, there had been no concern for the nations or their citizens. Coming back to young MBS and his vision of a grand and modern Saudi Arabia. How has he been able to achieve all this in the face of opposition from the established order – his uncles, the royal princes, and the clergy? The Saudi National Guards (SANG)W, an elite and best-equipped force, was the fief of late King Abdullah bin Saud, and this mantle passed on to his son, Mitteb bin Abdullah. SANG consists of Bedouin stock and are intensely loyal to their roots and to the royal household. No usurper (and MBS was certainly one) could have changed their loyalty; so, how did he manage to stage a ‘palace coup’ against Prince Mitteb, and still attract their loyalty? How was Prince Muqqrin bin Saud, his uncle and heir apparent, sidelined? I met Prince Muqqrin, Governor of Hail Province, in 1992 during my tenure in Saudi Arabia – a British trained fighter pilot, he seemed to be fairly modern in his outlooks, and fitted-in into the natural hierarchal change in this orthodox society. Same goes for the Royal Saudi Land, Sea & Air Forces (SNLF), which come under Prince MBS, as Minister of Defence. A largely chocolate cream bunch of overweight and paunchy soldiers and leaders, SNLF was propped up merely for the cause of providing jobs and for defending the nation – but not in any real or serious way. For the serious bit, Saudi oil assets and petrodollars bought the presence of the US, Western Forces and even an Armored Brigade from Pakistan. So suspicious were the royals of their own military, that if the armoured brigade was stationed in Tabuk (Northern Saudi Arabia), tank ammunition was kept thousands of miles to the South at Al Kharj (Near Riyadh); furthermore, keys to the depot were always with a royal! In the recent tsunami, this ceremonial military too has been struck by an awesome sandstorm. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Abdul Rahman bin Saleh al-Bunyan) has been sacked and replaced by First Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli. Senior hierarchy of the Defence Ministry has been removed, and a woman, Tammadur bint Youssef al-Ramah (name suggests she is a commoner) appointed as Deputy Defence Minister. Holy Moses – such a step was totally unthinkable, and conservatives must be turning in their graves. Probable reason for this massive reshuffle is the poor performance of the forces in their fight against the Houthis in Yemen. Latter have struck Saudi land, sea and air assets with virtual impunity. Naturally, this has been upsetting for MBS and the Kingdom, having pumped in billions of dollars in arms purchases – the expected Return on Investment (ROI) has been zilch. Though the Saudis have been quick to dismiss adverse war results as the cause, it is most likely the underlying reason. There is another fear ever-present amongst the royals – that of a military coup. It is for that reason they have tolerated the un-Islamic presence of US troops, as also a sizeable Pakistani military contingent, willingly given by the latter as quid pro quo for the financial lifeline assured by Saudi Arabia. By removing the top hierarchy, Prince MBS has consolidated his position. But he is “riding a tiger” and time will tell if he can get off without being eaten. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Tsunami in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia took a historic decision on Monday by opening gates of military services for women in the kingdom.

According to a&nbsp;statement by Saudi&rsquo;s General Security division, women living in Riyadh, Makkah, al-Qusaim, and al Madina can apply for the rank of a soldier by Thursday.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-begins-screening-films-after-decades-long-ban-lifted-29580">Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban is lifted</a>

The women will have the opportunity to work in security while the will&nbsp;not involve any combat role.

The decision is a part of Saudi Arabia&#39;s vision 2030 social program launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin, Salman.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-saudis-sign-petition-to-end-male-guardianship-of-women-6874">Thousands of Saudis sign petition to end male guardianship of women</a>

Woman applying for the job have eligibility criteria to fulfil which requires an applicant to be aged between 25 to 35.

Required education qualification is to have at least high-school diploma.

It is also required for an applicant and their&nbsp;male guardian to have a residence place in the same area as the job location.

Ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia are part of its liberalising reform drive which has eased many restrictions

In September&nbsp;authorities announced woman to obtain a driving license allowing them to drive from this June.

The first movie theatre was also opened in January while removing the longstanding ban on cinemas.&nbsp;

The government is trying to broaden the economy and lessen its dependence on oil.

The decision is a part of Saudi Arabia's vision 2030 social program launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin, Salman

Saudi Arabia took a historic decision on Monday by opening gates of military services for women in the kingdom. According to a statement by Saudi’s General Security division, women living in Riyadh, Makkah, al-Qusaim, and al Madina can apply for the rank of a soldier by Thursday. Also read: Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban is lifted The women will have the opportunity to work in security while the will not involve any combat role. The decision is a part of Saudi Arabia's vision 2030 social program launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin, Salman. Also read: Thousands of Saudis sign petition to end male guardianship of women Woman applying for the job have eligibility criteria to fulfil which requires an applicant to be aged between 25 to 35. Required education qualification is to have at least high-school diploma. It is also required for an applicant and their male guardian to have a residence place in the same area as the job location. Ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia are part of its liberalising reform drive which has eased many restrictions In September authorities announced woman to obtain a driving license allowing them to drive from this June. The first movie theatre was also opened in January while removing the longstanding ban on cinemas. The government is trying to broaden the economy and lessen its dependence on oil.

Saudi Arabia allows women to join military services

Saudi Arabia has replaced some of its top military officers in a shake-up that elevates a younger generation, brings a woman into a senior government job and tightens Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman`s grip on power.

In a reshuffle announced late on Monday, the military chief of staff, air defence and land forces heads and senior defence and interior ministry officials were removed. Tamadur bint Youssef al-Ramah became deputy labour minister, a rare high-level job for a woman in the deeply conservative kingdom.

The crown prince, who at 32 is also defence minister and heir apparent, has promised reforms to wean Saudi Arabia off oil exports, create jobs and open up Saudis` cloistered lifestyles. Since rising to prominence three years ago, he has also removed a number of apparent rivals to the throne.

His cousin Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted as crown prince and interior minister in a palace coup last June, after which Prince Mohammed restructured the ministry to establish tighter control over intelligence and counter-terrorism.

Another cousin, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, was sacked as head of the National Guard last November and detained for two months in an anti-corruption crackdown in which scores of the kingdom`s economic and political elite were held.

The latest personnel changes were decreed by King Salman and published in state media. No reason was given but the changes appear to have enabled Prince Mohammed to put his personal stamp of authority on key levers of the military.

The overhaul, analysts said, was not directly linked to Saudi Arabia`s three-year-old military campaign in Yemen against the Iran-aligned armed Houthi movement. But the war has largely stalled and international criticism is growing over a humanitarian crisis and air strikes that have killed civilians.

Prince Mohammed is likely to face questions from allies frustrated with the lack of progress during planned trips to the United States and Europe.

&quot;He can say... he`s dealt with people responsible for that right up to the top. But it`s not going to instil confidence that your military, as a result of that, will be technically better able to perform,&quot; said Michael Stephens, research fellow at British defence and security think-tank the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

&quot;It&rsquo;s a wide ranging sweep across the deck... Especially when it comes to security, that makes people nervous.&quot;

The new military chief of staff was named as First Lieutenant Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli. His predecessor, First Lieutenant Abdelrahman bin Saleh al-Banyan, was retired and made a royal advisor. 
The decrees included adopting a new strategy to restructure the defence ministry for improved organisation and governance, but provided few details.

Defence contracts with U.S. and European companies have long been a source of corruption and Prince Mohammed has it is &quot;unacceptable&quot; that high military spending has not translated into better performance.

Scholar Joseph Kechichian said some officers had been dismissed for incompetence while others had received fast promotions, but analysts said it was not clear the shake-up would immediately improve military performance.

Khalid Biyari, appointed aide to the defence minister, left his post as chief executive of Saudi Telecom, a possible sign that the crown prince is tapping the private sector to implement reforms.

 
YOUNG BLOOD

The overhaul was a nod to a younger generation, analysts said, in what has become a hallmark of the crown prince`s approach to ruling youthful Saudi Arabia, where patriarchal traditions have long made power the preserve of the old.

If he succeeds his father, Prince Mohammed would become the first grandson of the kingdom`s founder Ibn Saud to be king after decades of rule by six of his sons.

&quot;It`s sometimes useful in flexing your patronage muscle,&quot; said British-based analyst Neil Partrick. &quot;It might give a sense of freshness... but I would be surprised if it leads to any changes in substance in policy in Yemen or anywhere else.&quot;

The appointment of a woman at the labour ministry is part of efforts to modernise and promote a more moderate form of Islam. Prince Mohammed has loosened social restrictions, scaling back the role of religious police and permitting public concerts.

The government has announced plans to allow women to drive this year, and said women can enrol in the security forces and no longer need the consent of a male relative to open their own businesses, a step away from the kingdom`s guardianship system.A senior Saudi cleric said last month that women need not wear the abaya - the loose-fitting, full-length robe symbolic of religious faith - and another prominent sheikh said that celebrating Valentine`s Day did not contradict Islamic teachings, defying the religious police`s hardline position.

The decrees also included the appointment of three deputy governors from among the descendants of Princes Ahmed, Talal and Muqrin - brothers of King Salman, some of whom may have felt sidelined by changes since his accession to the throne in 2015.

One of them, new deputy governor of Asir province, Prince Turki bin Talal, is the brother of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was detained in the government`s anti-corruption campaign and released only last month.

Greg Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&amp;M University, said the injection of more junior officials could help the crown prince cultivate a bloc within the royal family that is supportive of him at younger levels.

&quot;But, and this is a big `but`, he is not appointing them to positions in the central government, at least not yet,&quot; said Gause. &quot;He is keeping power in the cabinet centralised in his hands.&quot;

Tamadur bint Youssef al-Ramah became deputy labour minister

Saudi Arabia has replaced some of its top military officers in a shake-up that elevates a younger generation, brings a woman into a senior government job and tightens Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman`s grip on power. In a reshuffle announced late on Monday, the military chief of staff, air defence and land forces heads and senior defence and interior ministry officials were removed. Tamadur bint Youssef al-Ramah became deputy labour minister, a rare high-level job for a woman in the deeply conservative kingdom. The crown prince, who at 32 is also defence minister and heir apparent, has promised reforms to wean Saudi Arabia off oil exports, create jobs and open up Saudis` cloistered lifestyles. Since rising to prominence three years ago, he has also removed a number of apparent rivals to the throne. His cousin Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted as crown prince and interior minister in a palace coup last June, after which Prince Mohammed restructured the ministry to establish tighter control over intelligence and counter-terrorism. Another cousin, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, was sacked as head of the National Guard last November and detained for two months in an anti-corruption crackdown in which scores of the kingdom`s economic and political elite were held. The latest personnel changes were decreed by King Salman and published in state media. No reason was given but the changes appear to have enabled Prince Mohammed to put his personal stamp of authority on key levers of the military. The overhaul, analysts said, was not directly linked to Saudi Arabia`s three-year-old military campaign in Yemen against the Iran-aligned armed Houthi movement. But the war has largely stalled and international criticism is growing over a humanitarian crisis and air strikes that have killed civilians. Prince Mohammed is likely to face questions from allies frustrated with the lack of progress during planned trips to the United States and Europe. "He can say... he`s dealt with people responsible for that right up to the top. But it`s not going to instil confidence that your military, as a result of that, will be technically better able to perform," said Michael Stephens, research fellow at British defence and security think-tank the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). "It’s a wide ranging sweep across the deck... Especially when it comes to security, that makes people nervous." The new military chief of staff was named as First Lieutenant Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli. His predecessor, First Lieutenant Abdelrahman bin Saleh al-Banyan, was retired and made a royal advisor. The decrees included adopting a new strategy to restructure the defence ministry for improved organisation and governance, but provided few details. Defence contracts with U.S. and European companies have long been a source of corruption and Prince Mohammed has it is "unacceptable" that high military spending has not translated into better performance. Scholar Joseph Kechichian said some officers had been dismissed for incompetence while others had received fast promotions, but analysts said it was not clear the shake-up would immediately improve military performance. Khalid Biyari, appointed aide to the defence minister, left his post as chief executive of Saudi Telecom, a possible sign that the crown prince is tapping the private sector to implement reforms. YOUNG BLOOD The overhaul was a nod to a younger generation, analysts said, in what has become a hallmark of the crown prince`s approach to ruling youthful Saudi Arabia, where patriarchal traditions have long made power the preserve of the old. If he succeeds his father, Prince Mohammed would become the first grandson of the kingdom`s founder Ibn Saud to be king after decades of rule by six of his sons. "It`s sometimes useful in flexing your patronage muscle," said British-based analyst Neil Partrick. "It might give a sense of freshness... but I would be surprised if it leads to any changes in substance in policy in Yemen or anywhere else." The appointment of a woman at the labour ministry is part of efforts to modernise and promote a more moderate form of Islam. Prince Mohammed has loosened social restrictions, scaling back the role of religious police and permitting public concerts. The government has announced plans to allow women to drive this year, and said women can enrol in the security forces and no longer need the consent of a male relative to open their own businesses, a step away from the kingdom`s guardianship system.A senior Saudi cleric said last month that women need not wear the abaya - the loose-fitting, full-length robe symbolic of religious faith - and another prominent sheikh said that celebrating Valentine`s Day did not contradict Islamic teachings, defying the religious police`s hardline position. The decrees also included the appointment of three deputy governors from among the descendants of Princes Ahmed, Talal and Muqrin - brothers of King Salman, some of whom may have felt sidelined by changes since his accession to the throne in 2015. One of them, new deputy governor of Asir province, Prince Turki bin Talal, is the brother of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was detained in the government`s anti-corruption campaign and released only last month. Greg Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said the injection of more junior officials could help the crown prince cultivate a bloc within the royal family that is supportive of him at younger levels. "But, and this is a big `but`, he is not appointing them to positions in the central government, at least not yet," said Gause. "He is keeping power in the cabinet centralised in his hands."

Saudi Arabia reshuffles military, promotes woman at labour ministry

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