Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said his country is moving closer to establishing relations with Israel, and warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon then Riyadh will get one too.
In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News that was broadcast late on Wednesday, Prince Mohammed outlined his vision for Saudi Arabia and addressed global issues including his relationship with US President Joe Biden, as well as China and Russia.
When asked about a prospective deal to establish relations with Israel, Prince Mohammed told Fox News correspondent Bret Baier: “Every day we get closer."
He said reports that Riyadh had told the Biden administration it was putting talks on hold because Israel’s right-wing government was unwilling to offer any concessions to the Palestinians were "not true", and the negotiations were "serious".
An extension of the Abraham Accords to include Riyadh would herald a major shift in regional politics and give Mr Biden a significant foreign policy win before the 2024 presidential election.
The complex negotiations centre on Israeli concessions to the Palestinians, an issue regarded as crucial by Saudi Arabia. Media reports have said a grand bargain would also include US security guarantees.
“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part,” Prince Mohammed said in the rare, English-language interview.
“We've got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East."
The broadcast followed a meeting between Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The two leaders pledged to work together towards establishing Saudi-Israeli ties.
Iran and Yemen
On Iran, Prince Mohammed said the recent normalisation of ties were an important move away from long-time tension.
"We don't want [tensions] to be normal," he said. "If there is opportunity to shift that and to go to prosperity and interest and working with Iran and ... bringing Iran to work with the Arab world and the Middle East, why not?"
But he voiced concern about the possibility of Iran, a mutual adversary of Saudi Arabia and Israel, obtaining a nuclear weapon. Tehran has denied it is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb.
“That's a bad move,” he said. “If you use it, you've got to have a big fight with the rest of the world.
“If they get one, we have to get one.”
War in Ukraine
Turning to the war in Ukraine, the Saudi Crown Prince said Russia's invasion was "something bad and we didn't want to see it".
"Invading a country, it's something against the rules of the UN," he said.
The Crown Prince said the decision by Opec+ to cut oil production was based on market stability and was not intended to help Russia wage its war in Ukraine.
"We just watch supply, demand. If there is shortage of supply our role in Opec+ is to fill that shortage," he said.
"If there is oversupply, our role of Opec+ is to measure that for the stability of the market."
Prince Mohammed noted that Riyadh has good relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow, and is trying to push "steps to solve this problem".
US and China
Addressing his relationship with Mr Biden, who once said he wanted to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" state after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed said he now has "really an amazing" relationship with Mr Biden.
When asked about Khashoggi's killing, he said those responsible were in prison and Saudi Arabia has reformed the security system to "be sure that these kind of mistakes" do not happen again.
The interviewer asked the Crown Prince, who is 38, about his assessment of the mental acuity of Mr Biden, 80.
"He is sharp, really well focused, well prepared. That's what I see," he said.
On China, Prince Mohammed credited Beijing for its role in fostering the rapprochement with Iran and said President Xi Jinping is "trying to do the best for China".
Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia has undergone major changes in recent years as it has shifted to diplomatic initiatives and progress on Vision 2030, the Crown Prince's wide-ranging plan for overhauling the economy, providing jobs for young people and moving the kingdom away from oil revenue.
Prince Mohammed said he hoped that between 100 million and 150 million people would visit the kingdom by 2030.
He was also asked about critics who have accused Saudi Arabia of investing heavily in golf and other sports in attempted “sportswashing", or spending to improve the kingdom's political image abroad.
Prince Mohammed said he was not concerned by such claims and if sports investments continue to increase Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product significantly, then his country would "continue to do sportswashing".
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five pillars of Islam
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
