Saudi Economy Growing Fastest in Decade, More This Year and Next As Oil Gains
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Saudi Arabia's economy is rising rapidly, thanks to high oil prices, and it's expected to keep performing this year and grow by 7.4% in 2023, marking the largest growth rates in a decade.
The United States will replenish the United Arab Emirates dwindling supply of weapons to intercept missile attacks. And the U.S. said after a Yemen Houthi attack on a Saudi Arabia airport that it will "hold them accountable" and that Americans "have the backs of our friends in the region." Saudi Arabia warned the citizens of Sanaa, Yemen's capital, to evacuate certain sites within 72 hours as air strikes are planned in retaliation.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief said the Iran nuclear negotiations in Vienna could go on “one, two, or three weeks,” but that "it's certainly the last steps."
The United Nations says it will continue to support Libya's interim prime minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh even as Libya's parliament elects another prime minister.
United States senators say Iran's progress toward a nuclear weapon is "sobering and shocking."
In social news, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. president Donald Trump, is touring the Middle East and met with friends such as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Kushner is reported traveling for pleasure, but maybe some business, recently starting a private equity firm.
And news from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya, Iran, Iraq, and More.
Saudi Arabia's economy is on track to continue its rapid growth, the fastest in almost a decade. The kingdom's gross domestic product grew by 6.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021, and economists see the gain, spurred by high oil prices, continuing this year and into 2023, when Riyadh sees growth of 7.4%.
"We see this trend continuing in 2022 as oil output rises further," chief economist Monica Malik at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank said. Fourth quarter 2021 growth was driven by a 10.8% increase in oil activity and a 5% rise in non-oil, boosting the kingdom's income and driving recovery from the pandemic. Growth for the full 2021 year was 3.3 %, better than predicted. The data released by Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics showed the latest growth as a sharp turn from the contraction in 2020, when oil crashed and economies around the world were hammered by the pandemic's impact.
Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia's economic growth stays near decade-high as oil powers rebound.
Reuters, Saudi GDP grows by 6.8% in fourth quarter: flash estimates.
The United States will replenish United Arab Emirates interceptor weapons needed to shoot down missiles, in addition to deploying the USS Cole and fighter jets.
U.S. CentCom commander, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, said: "We will help with replenishment of interceptors. And we'll do everything we can to assist UAE in defending themselves.”
The UAE uses THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems, but McKenzie did not give specifics on what the U.S. will supply. Earlier, the U.S. dispatched the USS Cole, a guided missile destroyer, and advanced F-22 fighter jets to assist the UAE. The UAE has been hit by a series of missile and drone attacks, almost all from Yemen's Houthi forces, and all were intercepted.
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. is in "constant communication" with Gulf partners to ensure that defensive needs are met.
Reuters, Exclusive: U.S. to help UAE replenish missile defense interceptors after Houthi attacks.
Al Jazeera, US to help UAE replenish missile defense interceptors: General.
The White House strongly condemned a Yemen Houthi attack on a Saudi Arabia airport and will "hold them accountable." U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States is "committed to supporting Saudi Arabia in the defense of its people and territory from these attacks,” and that “America will have the backs of our friends in the region." At least 12 people were injured by shrapnel in a Houthi attack on an airport in Abha, near the Yemen border.
The Hill, White House says it will hold Houthis accountable for attack on Saudi Arabia.
Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for the airport attack in Saudi Arabia, claiming it hit a "military object." The airport was targeted by a bomb-laden drone that was intercepted, causing debris that injured workers. A Houthi spokesman claimed the attack hit "accurately," but Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed the drone.
IANS, Yemen's Houthis claim responsibility for drone attack on Saudi airport.
The Saudi-led coalition warned residents of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, to evacuate "some civilian sites" within 72 hours.
A coalition statement warned that "crucial points will be bombed in Sanaa that the Houthis use." The warning came after a Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, near the southern border with Yemen.
Alarabiya, Arab coalition asks residents of Sanaa to evacuate 'civilian sites,' warns of strikes.
The United Nations will continue to recognize Libya's unity government and its prime minister, after an alternative leader was named in a controversial vote by the country's parliament. A UN spokesman, asked if the organization will continue recognizing Abdulhamid Dbeibeh as prime minister, said: “The short answer is yes.”
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said "it's very important for all Libyan leaders and stakeholders to keep in mind the Libyan people," and that the UN's aim is to help Libya's population.
"We have seen the reports of the appointment of another prime minister," he said. "Our position remains unchanged."
Alarabiya, UN still recognizes Libya's Dbeibeh as PM despite challenge: Spokesman.
Anadolu Agency, UN says it still recognizes Libya's prime minister Dbeibeh.
Deutsche Welle, UN backs Libya's interim prime minister despite lawmakers' challenge.
Libya's east-based parliament's appointment of a new prime minister counters United Nations efforts to reconcile the divided country and likely will produce two parallel administrations. The eastern lawmakers named former interior minister Fathi Bashagha to replace the incumbent, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, but Dbeibeh said he will stay in office. Dbeibeh's interim administration is in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the parliament meets in Tobruk.
Associated Press, Libya's east-based lawmakers name new PM, fueling divisions.
Associated Press, Libya has two prime ministers as political divisions deepen.
Libya's prime minister said an assassination attempt against him involved two mercenaries hired to kill him. Abdulhamid al-Dbeibeh said in a television interview, however, that the attempt wasn't a planned operation. He escaped unharmed when shots were fired at his car in Tripoli.
Reuters, Libyan PM says attempted assassination wasn't planned operation - Al Ahrar TV.
Reuters, Libyan PM survives assassination attempt unharmed - sources.
The renewed political chaos in Libya is again threatening the country's oil production. Conflicts had blocked the country's largest oil field, Sharara, and other fields and plunged Libya's oil production to below 800,000 barrels per day in early January. Later Libya managed to restore production to 1.2 million bpd. Now the return of chaos doesn't bode well for Libya's production, and another supply outage could push oil prices higher.
OilPrice, Political chaos in Libya threatens oil production, again.
The European Union's foreign policy chief said of the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna: "I don't know if it's one, two, or three weeks," but it's "certainly the last steps."
While there is general agreement that negotiations are reaching an end state, opinions differ widely on the likely outcome. Russia's representative, Mikhail Ulyanov, said last week the talks were "very close to achieving" success, but a senior U.S. official said major issues remain on the table and are unresolved.
Washington Post, Iran nuclear talks head toward finish line, but outcome is unclear.
U.S. senators raised red flags about Iran's nuclear program and how long it would take Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Senators at a closed-door briefing said the program's advances were "sobering and shocking." "It's just extraordinary how Iran's nuclear program has advanced since the disastrous decision to leave the JCPOA," the nuclear agreement, Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said.
The Hill, 'Sobering and shocking': Senators raise red flags after Iran briefing.
The building in northwest Syria where U.S. forces found the Islamic State's leader was probably rigged to explode. It remains unclear who inside the home detonated the blast, killing the IS chief Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi and others. U.S. officials say Qurayshi or someone else inside triggered the explosion before U.S. troops entered There is also disagreement about how many people were killed in the raid. U.S. officials say they counted at least seven deaths in the building, including Qurayshi and three family members, but aid groups say there were more.
Washington Post, ISIS leader probably rigged his house to explode, U.S. says, but questions about death toll remain.
U.S. military officials said there could have been more civilian casualties than initially thought in the raid that killed the top Islamic State leader in Syria. The officials said any such deaths, however, were caused by the militant's suicide bomb and not at the hands of American forces. Residents and activist groups have put the number of people dead in the attack at as many as 13.
Associated Press, US: Civilian toll in Syria raid may be higher than thought.
At least five children were killed in the U.S. raid of the home of the Islamic State leader in Syria. A review of video footage and interviews with witnesses indicated a larger number of children than the Pentagon has listed, which was two or three. Locals said the house had been full of children, often seen playing on the third-floor patio.
Washington Post, At least five children were killed during U.S. raid on ISIS leader, according to witnesses and video.
A supporter of Iraq's Moqtada Al-Sadr was assassinated in the southern city of Maysan and the leading cleric sent a delegation to quell tensions. Karar Abu Ragheef, a supporter of Al-Sadr, was killed in the southern province by unknown gunmen, and his death triggered concerns among political and religious leaders. The province has both followers of Al-Sadr and of rival factions. Abu Ragheef's assassination was the third in the province in recent weeks.
"Our supporters must prevent bloodshed," Al-Sadr said in a statement. "In the event that one of the parties does not respond, I will let the law take its course. Let everyone abstain from violence and harm."
The National, Iraq's Al Sadr sends delegation to Maysan to calm tensions after assassinations
Iraq's air defense command says it expects to receive advanced new defense systems this year. Lt. Gen. Maan al-Saadi said contracts have been signed and that he hopes to receive the systems later in the year. Other sources confirmed that military officials had visited countries that produce advanced air defense systems and had signed contracts. The countries that will supply the systems were not identified.
Janes, Iraq to get new air-defense systems.
Iraq is in arrears to Iran for $1.6 billion payment for gas imports. Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, Iraq is dependent on imports to meet its energy needs, and neighboring Iran supplies about one-third of its gas and electricity. The energy imports are waived from U.S. sanctions, but Iraq is required to pay Iran in kind and not in cash. Acting electricity minister Adel Karim said Iraq owes Iran $1.69 billion, and "these funds are in the Trade Bank of Iraq and have not been paid to the Iranian government."
AFP, Iraq $1.6 bn in arrears on Iran gas payments: minister.
Iraq's national security adviser said 20 dangerous Islamic State detainees escaped the prison in Syria, the scene of a jailbreak and intense fighting.
The invasion by IS and prison outbreak in Hasakah province in Syria were put down by Kurdish-led forces with United States support after more than a week of fighting.
The Iraqi adviser, Qassem al-Araji, criticized the situation at the prison, saying the Kurdish forces had "poor capabilities" and that a "constant and permanent danger" exists "if the international community does not perform its duties." He said "twenty dangerous terrorists managed to escape from Hasakah prison."
Bas News, Iraq says 20 'dangerous' IS detainees escaped during Hasakah jailbreak.
Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, met with Saudi Arabia's crown prince and the head of Saudi Aramco. Kushner, who was a senior adviser at the White House in the Trump administration, has been on a regional tour, meeting with officials in the Gulf region. While at the White House, Kushner formed a close personal relationship with the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and he recently started a private equity fund, Affinity Partners.
Bloomberg, Jared Kushner met with Saudi crown prince, Aramco CEO on regional tour.
Turkey has put on trial 16 people accused of spying for Israel's Mossad. The defendants, including Palestinians and Syrians, allegedly spied on students and others on behalf of Israel, operating in five separate groups. Some suspects were accused of meeting with Israeli officials in Switzerland, Croatia, Romania, and Kenya. The suspects were arrested in October, but Turkish officials have not commented on the arrests. In Israel, Mossad has denied that those arrested were Israeli spies.
The trial comes as relations are warming between Turkey and Israel, with the presidents of the two countries planning mutual visits.
Associated Press, 16 alleged Mossad spies go on trial in Turkey - report.
MORE: Ethiopian domestic worker in Lebanon accuses employer of slavery in landmark case, Independent... British women and children detained in Syria failed by UK government, inquiry finds, The Guardian... BBC accuses Iran of escalating harassment of staff, BBC News... As nuclear talks resume, Iran's oil exports increase, Reuters... Israeli navy officer to be permanently stationed in Bahrain - report, Jerusalem Post... IMF to visit Tunisia over economic reforms, central bank official says, Reuters.
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