Saudi Arabia leads condemnation of deadly terrorist attack on Moscow concert hall

Update Firefighters extinguish a major fire in the Crocus City Hall after a shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, on March 22, 2024. (AFP)
Firefighters extinguish a major fire in the Crocus City Hall after a shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, on March 22, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 23 March 2024
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Saudi Arabia leads condemnation of deadly terrorist attack on Moscow concert hall

Saudi Arabia leads condemnation of deadly terrorist attack on Moscow concert hall
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s condolences and sympathy with the families of the deceased
  • At least 40 people were killed and over 100 injured when gunmen opened fire on people in the Crocus City Hall

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned a terrorist attack on a concert hall near Moscow that killed and injured dozens of people.

At least 40 people were killed and over 100 hurt when gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people at a concert in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow on Friday, Russia’s FSB security service said.

Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack via its Telegram channels but Russia is yet to make a final assesment on who is behind the incident.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s condolences and sympathy with the families of the deceased, and to the Russian government and people for this “painful incident.”

The Kingdom stressed the importance of combating all forms of extremism and terrorism, the ministry added.

It also called for “security and safety for the Russian Federation and its friendly people, and a speedy recovery for the injured,” the statement said.

The Saudi embassy in Moscow called on citizens to take care and avoid the area around the attack venue, and to adhere to the instructions issued by local authorities. It said citizens can contact the embassy on +79175110815 for emergencies.

The UAE, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain have also expressed their condemnation of the attack, and extended their sympathy to the victims as well as the Russian government.

In statements released through their foreign affairs ministries, the Gulf and Arab states also rejected all forms of violence that undermined security and stability and contravene all human and religious values and principles.

The UN  Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, according to spokesman.

The Gulf Cooperation Council secretary-general Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi also issued a statement condemning and denouncing the attack.

He emphasized the unwavering and rejecting stance of the GCC towards all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism that aim to undermine security and stability in any region of the world.

The UN Security Council also offered its condolences and urged all states “to cooperate actively” with the Russian government and other authorities to hold perpetrators and backers of “these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack,” their statement said.

The White House sent its condolences to the victims of the “terrible” shooting, saying it was trying to get more information.

“Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch.”

The White House also said that the United States warned Russian authorities earlier in March about a “planned terrorist attack” possibly targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.

President Xi Jinping “strongly condemned” the attack and sent his condolences to Putin, state media reported.

Xi “stressed that China opposes all form of terrorism, strongly condemns the terrorist attack and firmly supports the Russian government’s efforts to safeguard its national security and stability,” Xinhua news agency said.

The European Union said it was “shocked and appalled” by the Moscow attack.

“The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected,” said an EU spokesman.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he “strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State,” according to the Elysee Palace.

“France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their loved ones and all the Russian people,” the palace said.

Albudaiwi extended his “sincere condolences and sympathy to the Russian government and its people, as well as to the families of the victims of this tragic incident,” and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.

Spain said Friday it was “shocked” by an attack on a Moscow concert that Russian authorities said left at least 40 dead and 100 injured, saying it “condemns any form of violence.”

“We are shocked by the news from Russia. Our solidarity with the victims, their families and the Russian people. Spain condemns any form of violence,” the Spanish foreign ministry wrote on X, the former Twitter.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned an “odious act of terrorism” after a Moscow concert attack that Russian authorities said killed 40 and injured more than 100.

“The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable,” Meloni said in a statement, expressing her “full solidarity with the affected people and the victims’ families.”

The MWL also denounced the “heinous” attack at the concert hall and reaffirmed the organizations stance against all forms and reasons for violence, terrorism and extremism.

• with AFP


An inside look at the operations center keeping Riyadh Metro running smoothly

An inside look at the operations center keeping Riyadh Metro running smoothly
Updated 42 sec ago
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An inside look at the operations center keeping Riyadh Metro running smoothly

An inside look at the operations center keeping Riyadh Metro running smoothly
  • Hundreds of employees in constant communication with city’s commuters
  • Networks covered 24/7 by more than 14,000 security camera

RIYADH: The Riyadh Metro has been buzzing with passengers ever since its launch in December, reaching its full operational capacity with the inauguration of the Orange Line earlier this month and marking a grand milestone for the capital’s urbanization strategy.

Arab News got a look inside the Riyadh Public Transport Control Center, located west of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

The center hosts 600 employees who oversee the management of three vital parts of the transportation system: the Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Bus, and the advanced traffic control system.

So how does the center contribute to improving everyday users’ experiences?

A spokesperson said that the center received more than 10,000 calls daily via the unified network number (19933), which is designated for inquiries, complaints, suggestions, and calls about missing items.

Operators are in constant communication with the people of Riyadh who use public transport, and they work to keep the system running smoothly.

Safety is a priority for the Transport General Authority. All of the city’s public transport systems are monitored 24/7 through more than 14,000 security cameras that are distributed across the network.

These cameras are equipped with facial recognition technologies which monitor and analyze the use of public transport and inform the authorities immediately in case of any incidents.

In the event that a commuter loses any personal property, the user must contact the Riyadh Public Transport Control Center through the unified number, and a special complaint ticket will be issued and sent via email or text.

They can use the number to follow up on any updates regarding the complaint until the lost item is retrieved.

Planning for the metro system began back in 2012, and aimed at enhancing mobility and providing comfort for users, residents, and visitors of Riyadh.

The Riyadh Metro includes 85 stations and extends a distance of 176 km across six tracks.

Riyadh’s bus network consists of 87 routes across the city using 842 vehicles with some 3,000 service stations.

The traffic control system also oversees 650 road intersections, monitoring and managing the flow of traffic.

The Riyadh Bus system has transported 50 million passengers in the last year.


Muslim World League chief in talks with Italian leader

Muslim World League chief in talks with Italian leader
Updated 14 min 13 sec ago
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Muslim World League chief in talks with Italian leader

Muslim World League chief in talks with Italian leader
  • Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa thanks Sergio Mattarella for supporting Palestinian rights, two-state solution
  • Extremism, whatever its source, does not represent values that religions call for, Mattarella says

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Presidential Palace in Rome.

During the meeting, the contributions of religion to global peace efforts and enhancing friendship between people were discussed.

Al-Issa said that Islam called for mutual understanding between nations and people, respect for human dignity, and peaceful coexistence, according to a statement.

He thanked the president for his position on Palestinian rights, especially his support for the two-state solution.

The Italian leader voiced his appreciation for the MWL’s efforts to promote religious and cultural peace, praising the values of Islam in this regard.

Mattarella said that extremism, whatever its source, represents only itself, and does not represent the cultural values called for by religions.


Saudi FM receives phone call from Russian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.
Updated 54 min 9 sec ago
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Saudi FM receives phone call from Russian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the two officials reviewed relations between their countries. They also discussed regional developments and exchanged views on them.


Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Syria’s Ahmed Al-Sharaa on interim presidency

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 30 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Syria’s Ahmed Al-Sharaa on interim presidency

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
  • In a cable of congratulations, the king wished Al-Sharaa success in leading Syria “toward a prosperous future that achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people”

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Ahmed Al-Sharaa on becoming Syria’s interim president, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In a cable of congratulations, the king wished Al-Sharaa success in leading Syria “toward a prosperous future that achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

The crown prince sent a similar cable separately, wishing the Syrian people “further progress and advancement.”

Al-Sharaa was declared president for a transitional phase on Wednesday, less than two months after he led a campaign that toppled Bashar Assad.

He was also empowered to form a temporary legislative council for a transitional period and the Syrian constitution was suspended, according to an announcement made by the military command which led the offensive against Assad.

The decisions emerged from a meeting of military commanders who took part in the assault.


Cybersecurity postgraduate scholarship program launches

Cybersecurity postgraduate scholarship program launches
Updated 30 January 2025
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Cybersecurity postgraduate scholarship program launches

Cybersecurity postgraduate scholarship program launches
  • Cybersecurity authority, Education Ministry oversees program
  • Scholarships to 30 leading international universities on offer

RIYADH: The National Cybersecurity Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has launched the second phase of their Cybersecurity Postgraduate Scholarship Program.

The application window opened on Thursday, Jan. 30, on the NCA’s website.

The program’s main objective is to enhance students’ academic skills in key cybersecurity domains, and to bolster the nation’s workforce with qualified professionals, according to a press announcement on the NCA website.

This initiative focuses on several cybersecurity priority areas, including cryptography, security of operational technology systems, public policies, and emerging technologies.

The benefits include scholarships to 30 prestigious international universities renowned for cybersecurity expertise and research grants.

The NCA is in charge of cybersecurity in the Kingdom and aims to safeguard the Kingdom’s critical infrastructure, high-priority sectors, and government services and activities.