Saudi Arabia
‘Surongo’ to hit theatres in Saudi Arabia
Amidst the success of Bangladeshi films in theatres across the country on the festive occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, makers of Afran Nisho’s debut feature film ‘Surongo’ have said that the film is all set to make its global release across different continents.
However, a particular country being on that list sparked interest among film enthusiasts, as this is reportedly the first time a Bangladeshi film will hit theatres in Saudi Arabia.
On Monday (July 03, 2023), the film’s lead actors Afran Nisho and Tama Mirza, director Raihan Rafi, Chorki CEO Redoan Rony and Alpha-i Managing Director Shahriar Shakil addressed several issues regarding the film, including the global release details, to journalists during a press briefing at Star Cineplex in SKS Tower, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
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Addressing the media, Shahriar Shakil said, “As part of our global release, ‘Surongo’ will be released in seven countries in the Middle East in phases. This is most probably the first Bangladeshi movie to be released in Saudi Arabia, a country which has a great fanbase of Nisho among the expat Bangladeshi community.”
“We have also finalised Surongo's release in the United States, Canada, and Australia as well. It will be released on July 7 in six cities, including Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Darwin in Australia, and then on July 21 in New York, USA, and Canada. Then will be released in other states across the US from July 28,” Shakil added.
At the press briefing, the makers of ‘Surongo’ informed that the film is slated to be released by India's Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF) under import-export policy.
Dhallywood eyes a festive Eid as movies become the talk of the town again
SVF is one of the film conglomerates in India, and Surongo has already been sent to the Indian censor board for approval. If the film gets approved, it will be released across India on a large scale, makers of the film said.
In the Middle East, ‘Surongo’ is scheduled to be released with Arabic subtitles, they added.
Released on the day of Eid-ul-Azha, ‘Surongo’ has been successfully running at multiplexes and single-screen movie theatres across the country.
10 Most Hyped Bangladeshi Movies Releasing on Eid-ul-Azha 2023
Eid-ul-Azha 2023: Saudi Arabia sets June 28 as date
The beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, has been announced by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Azha 2023 will be celebrated on June 28 in the kingdom with the crescent’s sighting, according to an Al Arabiya report.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s “Five Pillars”, is performed in Makkah during Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this time, Muslims from all over the world congregate there.
Read: Astronomers reveal expected date of Eid-ul-Azha 2023
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is known as the Day of Arafat. Millions of pilgrims from around the world congregate on this day in an act of faith and devotion on the plain of Arafat, close to Makkah.
Muslims all over the world will commemorate Eid-ul-Azha, popularly known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” after the Day of Arafat. This significant Islamic holiday honours Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to offer his son as a sacrifice to Allah. But before he could offer his son, Allah gave him a lamb, which he was to sacrifice in place of his son. Muslims recall this miraculous intervention each year.
Read: 90 lakh Eid holidaymakers to leave Dhaka by road: SCRF
Muslims sacrifice an animal, usually a lamb or a cow, in accordance with ritual on Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate this occasion. Following that, the meat is divided into three portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the underprivileged. This act of giving emphasises the importance of the community, empathy, and charity that are fundamental to both the holiday and the Islamic faith.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
The football community was shaken on June 7 by the announcement that Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats in the sport, will be joining Major League Soccer (MLS) and playing for Inter Miami CF following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine football star is set to become the newest addition to the star-studded roster of Major League Soccer. Despite rumored offers from Saudi Arabia and a potential return to Barcelona, Messi has decided to make his way to Miami, Florida in the US, for the concluding phase of his illustrious career.
Messi’s Contract and Salary Detail at Inter Miami
Messi was earning an estimated $45 million per year (net) during his time in Paris. However, it’s important to note that MLS has a strict salary cap and roster regulations in place to prevent excessive contracts with individual players. As a result, the specific details of the deal Messi could potentially secure in MLS would be subject to these regulations. The terms of his contract would need to follow the salary cap and roster rules set by the league.
Read Mission completed: Man City beats Inter Milan to end wait for first Champions League title
According to reports, Messi has reached an agreement on a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, with the inclusion of a 12-month option for 2026. This complex agreement, reportedly involving contributions from Apple and Adidas, has been planned to facilitate the move, benefitting all parties involved in the long term. The contract entails Messi receiving a base salary along with additional bonuses.
Messi’s contract is reportedly valued at around $125 million to $150 million. MLS sponsors Apple and Adidas are said to be working on agreements that will be tied to the revenue Messi generates as a prominent figure in the league.
Additionally, there is a possibility of Messi being granted an ownership stake, similar to the arrangement given to David Beckham when he joined MLS.
Read more: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
When is Messi’s First Match with Inter Miami?
The specific date of Lionel Messi’s debut in MLS with Inter Miami CF has not been officially announced at the moment. Various reports suggest different dates, but it is widely believed that Messi’s proposed debut could take place on July 21. However, alternative timeframes such as “later in July, at the earliest” or even “August” have also been mentioned.
The MLS regular season will end on October 21 and playoffs will start from October 25. And the final game is set to take place on December 9. So, Messi might get a few matches in the regular season.
However, July 21 is a significant date as Inter Miami will host Mexican club Cruz Azul for the Leagues Cup.
Another date to keep an eye on is July 19, as it marks the grand unveiling event: the 2023 MLS All-Star Game at DC United’s Audi Field. On this occasion, the MLS All-Star XI will face English Premier League team Arsenal in the highly anticipated annual showcase match. If Messi is not participating in this game, it is highly likely that he will be introduced to a thrilled crowd during a prime-time presentation.
Read more: Lionel Messi picks MLS's Inter Miami in a move that stuns soccer after exit from Paris Saint-Germain
What Kind of Impact Can Messi Make?
To begin with, Inter Miami is expanding DRV PNK Stadium by adding approximately 2,500 to 3,000 seats. This development indicates that the capacity will likely increase to 22,000 spectators. Moreover, Miami Freedom Park is set to debut in March 2025. Just envision the spectacle of opening night with Messi in the starting lineup.
With oil prices slumping, OPEC+ producers weigh more production cuts
The major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia and Russia are wrestling with whether to make another cut in supply to the global economy as the OPEC+ alliance struggles to prop up sagging oil prices that have been a boon to U.S. drivers and helped ease inflation worldwide.
The 23-member group is meeting Sunday at OPEC headquarters in Vienna after sending mixed signals about possible moves. Saudi Arabia, dominant among the oil cartel's members, has warned speculators that they might get burned by betting on lower prices. Russia, the leader of the non-OPEC allies, has indicated no change to output is expected.
The decision comes amid uncertainty about when the slow-growing global economy will regain its thirst for fuel for travel and industry, and with producers counting on oil profits to bolster their coffers.
Oil prices have fallen even after OPEC+ slashed 2 million barrels per day in October, angering U.S. President Joe Biden by threatening higher gasoline prices a month before the midterm elections. Then, several OPEC members led by the Saudis made a surprise cut of 1.16 million barrels a day in April.
International benchmark Brent crude climbed as high as $87 per barrel but has given up its post-cut gains and been loitering below $75 per barrel in recent days. U.S. crude has dipped below $70.
Those lower prices have helped U.S. drivers as the summer travel season kicks off, with prices at the pump averaging $3.55, down $1.02 from a year ago, according to auto club AAA. Falling energy prices also helped inflation in the 20 European countries that use the euro drop to the lowest level since before Russia invaded Ukraine.
The U.S. recently replenished its Strategic Petroleum Reserve — after Biden announced the largest release from the national reserve in American history last year — in an indicator that U.S. officials may be less worried about OPEC cuts than in months past.
The Saudis, on the other hand, need sustained high oil revenue to fund ambitious development projects aimed at diversifying the country's economy. The International Monetary Fund estimates the kingdom needs $80.90 per barrel to meet its envisioned spending commitments, which include a planned $500 billion futuristic desert city project called Neom.
That may have been one motivation behind Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman's warning to speculators that they will be "ouching" if they keep betting on lower oil prices.
Bin Salman's pointed comment isn't necessarily a prelude to a cut at Sunday's meeting, said James Swanston, Middle East and North Africa economist at Capital Economics.
"Our expectation is that OPEC+ will stick with current output quotas," he said, adding that "there have been signs that the government may be readying to live with lower oil prices and running budget deficits."
On top of that, Russia may find current prices to its liking because its oil is finding eager new customers in India, China and Turkey. Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine have forced Russian oil to sell at discounts of around $53 to $57 per barrel.
At those prices, Moscow's shipments avoid triggering the $60 price cap imposed by the Group of Seven major democracies to try to limit oil profits flowing into Russia's war chest. The price ceiling allows the world's No. 3 oil producer to keep supplying non-Western customers to avoid a global shortage that would drive up prices for everyone.
Insurers and shipping companies largely based in Western countries are barred from handling Russian oil if it is priced above the cap. Russia has found ways to evade the limits through "dark fleet" tankers, which tamper with transponders showing their locations or transfer oil from ship to ship to disguise its origin.
An OPEC+ "production cut could push the price of Russian oil above the G7 price cap of $60 per barrel, which would make it difficult to transport and thus to sell the oil," commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch at Commerzbank wrote in a research note. "Russia appears to be doing good business at the current price level."
The International Energy Agency said in its April oil market report that Russia has not completely followed through on its announcement to extend a voluntary cut of 500,000 barrels per day through the end of the year.
In fact, Russia's total exports of oil and refined products such as diesel fuel rose in April to a post-invasion high of 8.3 million barrels per day. That is in spite of a near-total boycott from the European Union, formerly Russia's biggest customer.
Analysts say OPEC+ faces conflicting pressures. A cut could support prices or send them higher, with demand expected to pick up later this year.
"The impact of higher oil prices on the global economy will weigh heavily on the ministers' minds," said Jorge Leon, senior vice president of oil market research at Rystad Energy. "High oil prices would fuel inflation in the West right when central banks are starting to see inflation gradually recede."
"This could prompt central banks to continue increasing interest rates, a detrimental move for the global economy and oil demand," Leon wrote in a research note.
US, Saudi Arabia call for warring sides in Sudan to extend ‘imperfect’ cease-fire
The United States and Saudi Arabia called on warring sides in Sudan to extend a cease-fire due to expire Monday.
The Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary force, battling for control of Sudan since mid-April, had agreed last week to the weeklong truce, brokered by the U.S. and the Saudis. However, the cease-fire, like others before it, did not stop the fighting in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
In a joint statement early Sunday, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia called for an extension of the current truce which expires at 9:45 p.m. local time Monday.
"While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people," the statement said.
The statement also urged Sudan's military government and the rival Rapid Support Forces to continue negotiations.
The fighting broke out in mid-April between the military and the powerful RSF. Both military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF leader Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo led the 2021 coup that removed the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
The fighting turned Khartoum and the adjacent city of Omdurman into a battleground. The clashes also spread elsewhere in the country, including the war-wracked Darfur region.
The conflict has killed hundreds of people, wounded thousands and pushed the country to near collapse. It forced more than 1.3 million out of their homes to safer areas inside Sudan, or to neighboring nations.
Residents reported renewed sporadic clashes Sunday in parts of Omdurman, where the army's aircraft were seen flying over the city. Fighting was also reported in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur.
The U.S.-Saudi statement came two days after Burhan demanded in a letter to the U.N. secretary-general that the U.N. envoy to his country be removed, The U.N. chief was "shocked" by the letter, a spokesman said.
The envoy, Volker Perthes, has been a key mediator in Sudan, first during the country's fitful attempts to transition to democracy and then during efforts to end the current fighting.
Burhan's letter came after Perthes accused the warring parties of disregarding the laws of war by attacking homes, shops, places of worship and water and electricity installations.
In his briefing to the U.N. Security Council last week, Perthes blamed the leaders of the military and the RSF for the war, saying that they have chosen to "settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table."
SpaceX sends Saudi astronauts, including nation’s 1st woman in space, to International Space Station
Saudi Arabia's first astronauts in decades rocketed toward the International Space Station on a chartered multimillion-dollar flight Sunday.
SpaceX launched the ticket-holding crew, led by a retired NASA astronaut now working for the company that arranged the trip from Kennedy Space Center. Also on board: a U.S. businessman who now owns a sports car racing team.
The four should reach the space station in their capsule Monday morning; they'll spend just over a week there before returning home with a splashdown off the Florida coast.
Sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government, Rayyanah Barnawi, a stem cell researcher, became the first woman from the kingdom to go to space. She was joined by Ali al-Qarni, a fighter pilot with the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Also Read: UAE spacecraft takes close-up photos of Mars' little moon
They're the first from their country to ride a rocket since a Saudi prince launched aboard shuttle Discovery in 1985. In a quirk of timing, they'll be greeted at the station by an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates.
"Hello from outer space! It feels amazing to be viewing Earth from this capsule," Barnawi said after settling into orbit.
Added al-Qarni: "As I look outside into space, I can't help but think this is just the beginning of a great journey for all of us."
Rounding out the visiting crew: Knoxville, Tennessee's John Shoffner, former driver and owner of a sports car racing team that competes in Europe, and chaperone Peggy Whitson, the station's first female commander who holds the U.S. record for most accumulated time in space: 665 days and counting.
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"It was a phenomenal ride," Whitson said after reaching orbit. Her crewmates clapped their hands in joy.
It's the second private flight to the space station organized by Houston-based Axiom Space. The first was last year by three businessmen, with another retired NASA astronaut. The company plans to start adding its own rooms to the station in another few years, eventually removing them to form a stand-alone outpost available for hire.
Axiom won't say how much Shoffner and Saudi Arabia are paying for the planned 10-day mission. The company had previously cited a ticket price of $55 million each.
NASA's latest price list shows per-person, per-day charges of $2,000 for food and up to $1,500 for sleeping bags and other gear. Need to get your stuff to the space station in advance? Figure roughly $10,000 per pound ($20,000 per kilogram), the same fee for trashing it afterward. Need your items back intact? Double the price.
At least the email and video links are free.
The guests will have access to most of the station as they conduct experiments, photograph Earth and chat with schoolchildren back home, demonstrating how kites fly in space when attached to a fan.
After decades of shunning space tourism, NASA now embraces it with two private missions planned a year. The Russian Space Agency has been doing it, off and on, for decades.
"Our job is to expand what we do in low-Earth orbit across the globe," said NASA's space station program manager Joel Montalbano.
SpaceX's first-stage booster landed back at Cape Canaveral eight minutes after liftoff — a special treat for the launch day crowd, which included about 60 Saudis. "It was a very, very exciting day," said Axiom's Matt Ondler.
Bangladesh’s relation with Saudi Arabia is very good: President Shahabuddin
Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.
President's press secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
The president described Bangladesh's relationship with Saudi Arabia is very good and important.
Shahabuddin thanked the Saudi government for facilitating the hajj process for Bangladeshis and launching e-visa.
Also read: First hajj flight carrying 415 pilgrims leaves Dhaka for Saudi Arabia
Noting that Saudi Arabia is the biggest destination for the export of Bangladesh's manpower, President Shahabuddin said Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia are playing an important role in the economic development of both countries.
The president put emphasis on increasing mutual communication and visit-exchange both at public and private levels to enhance trade investment between the two countries.
The Saudi ambassador said Saudi investments in different sectors, including electricity and energy, are also increasing gradually along with strengthening relations with Bangladesh.
After Kuwait, Bangladesh is the second country, where mobile Umrah Visa has been implemented, he added.
Also Read: Syria, Saudi Arabia move toward restoring embassies, flights
The envoy also said many big companies in Saudi Arabia are showing interest in investing in Bangladesh.
President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam were also present during the meeting.
First hajj flight carrying 415 pilgrims leaves Dhaka for Saudi Arabia
An aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying 415 hajj pilgrims left Dhaka today (May 21, 2023) for Saudi Arabia -- the first hajj flight this year.
The flight BG-3001 took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 3:20 am and was scheduled to land in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 7:20 am (local time).
Four more flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are scheduled to depart Dhaka with hajj pilgrims for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Religion Md Faridul Haque Khan, lawmaker Habib Hasan, Biman Governing Council Chairman Mustafa Kamal Uddin, and KSA Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa Bin Youssef Al-Dahilan, among others, saw off the hajj pilgrims at Dhaka airport.
Read more: PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2023
Earlier, at an event organized to mark the first hajj flight, at the airport, State Minister Mahbub sought prayers from the pilgrims for happiness, peace, prosperity, and advancement of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said all-out preparations have been taken to ensure the smooth operation of hajj flights like the past years.
This year, Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities will carry 61,111 hajj pilgrims out of total 1, 22,221 with its five aircraft. The rest will be carried by the Saudia and Flynas.
Lauding the prime minister’s diplomatic success, the state minister said the immigration of the hajj passengers at the KSA end is being completed in Dhaka under the ‘Road to Makkah Initiative’.
He said several initiatives were taken to ease sufferings of the pilgrims and no passenger has been subjected to harassment for booking tickets after initiating a new rule and enhanced monitoring since 2019.
The Biman authorities concerned will conduct 162 pre-hajj flights from May 21 to June 22, and 168 post-hajj flights from July 2 to August 3 this year.
Like last year, Biman will operate flights from Chattogram and Sylhet to Jeddah and Madinah along with Dhaka this year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the hajj programme on May 19.
Read more: Pray that Bangladesh is safe from man-made or natural disasters: PM to Hajj pilgrims
Eid-ul-Fitr being celebrated in Dinajpur, Chandpur and Lalmonirhat in line with Saudi
The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest Muslim religious festival, is being celebrated in some upazilas of Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat districts amid religious fervour in line with Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The early celebration comes a day before the nationwide celebration of Eid in Bangladesh on Saturday.
Our Dinajpur Correspondent adds: the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held in Sadar, Chirirbandar, Biral, Kaharole, Birampur upazilas of the district in participation with several thousands of Muslim devotees in the morning.
Members of some 300 Muslim families in the Sadar upazila offered their Eid prayer conducted by Biral upazila’s Maheshpur Madrasa Director Abdur Razzak at 7:45am.
Moreover, Muslim devotees in Saitara Rubber Dam of Chirirbandar, Kamdevpur and Kazipara of Biral, Bhabanipur of Kaharole, Binail and Jotabani of Birampur completed their Eid prayers in the morning.
In 2007, some Muslims of the upazilas started fasting and other religious activities keeping consistency with Saudi Arabia.
Read more: Muslims in 40 Chandpur villages to celebrate Eid today
On the other hand, Lalmonirhat Correspondent also adds: over 500 Muslims attended the Eid-ul-fitr prayer conducted by Maulana Abdul Majed at Munsipara Jame Masjid in Kaliganj upazila of the district at 9:15am.
Maulana Masum Billah, president of Munsipara Eidgaon Math, said they have been performing religious activities including Eid-ul-Fitr and Azha in line with Saudi Arabia with the belief that the Eid will be held on the same day across the world.
“Similarly we offered the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in participation with over 500 Muslims as the moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
ATM Golam Rasul, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj police station, said police patrolled in Kakina, Tusbhandar and Chandrapur unions to ensure security of the Muslims who offered the Eid prayer keeping consistency with Saudi Arabia.
Residents of 40 villages in Chandpur district are also celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today amid much enthusiasm and religious fervour.
Two separate Eid jamaats were held at Shadra Darbar Sharif Maidan at 9am and Shadra Hamidia Fazil Madrasa Eidgah at 10am on Friday.
Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held in Bolakhal, Olipur, Barakul, Shameshpur, Jakni, Ramchandrapur, Sreepur, Belcho, Rajargaon under Hajiganj upazila; Shachanmegh, Bigha, Ubharampur, Bajpara, Khila, Ottali, Balithuba, Shola, Rupsha, Goalbaor, Noahat, Bashara, Telishair, Paunsair, Kamata, Surangachaul, Paikpara, Mulpara, Munsirhat, Bholacho, Kaitara under Faridganj upazila; Aswinpur, Nayergaon, Panchani, Dashani, Mohanpur, Ekhlaspur and Beltali under Matlab upazila.
Syria, Saudi Arabia move toward restoring embassies, flights
Syria and Saudi Arabia are moving toward reopening embassies and resuming flights between the two countries for the first time in more than a decade, the countries said Thursday in a joint statement.
The announcement followed a visit by Syria's top diplomat to the kingdom, the first since Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012.
Syria was widely shunned by Arab governments over Syrian President Bashar Assad’s brutal crackdown on protester,s and later civilians, in an uprising turned civil war that began in 2011. The breakdown in relations culminated with Syria being ousted from the Arab League.
However, in recent years, as Assad has consolidated control over most of the country, Syria's neighbors have begun to take steps toward rapprochement. The overtures have picked up pace since the massive Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and the Chinese-brokered reestablishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, regional rivals that had backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict.
A delegation headed by Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad, at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks about bilateral relations between the two countries, state media from the two countries reported.
Saudi state media reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad was received by the kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
The meeting focused on the steps needed to reach a “comprehensive political settlement of the Syrian crisis that would ... achieve national reconciliation, and contribute to the return of Syria to its Arab fold," the two countries said in a joint statement.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the next Arab League summit in May, where a restoration of Syria's membership is widely expected to be on the table.
The two sides also discussed “the importance of enhancing security and combating terrorism in all its forms, and enhancing cooperation in combating drug smuggling and trafficking,” the statement said. Syria is a primary producer of the amphetamine-based drug Captagon, which is largely smuggled into Gulf markets for sale.
The talks also focused on “the need to support ... the Syrian state to extend its control over its territories to end the presence of armed militias and external interference in the Syrian internal affairs,” as well as on facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and the return of Syrian refugees.
The visit to Saudi Arabia came after Syria announced Wednesday that it will reopen its embassy in Tunisia, which cut off relations in 2012.
Tunisian President Kais Saied announced earlier this month that he had directed the country’s foreign ministry to appoint a new ambassador to Syria.
His move was reciprocated by the Syrian government, a joint statement from the two countries’ foreign ministries said Wednesday, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.