Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, 2nd left, during a meeting with British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins, left, at his office in Riyadh recently. — SG photo RIYADH — Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation – Global, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), and vice chaired by Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, announced a SR5 million donation to the Syrian people affected by the grave situation there. The announcement was made during a live telethon on Saudi television in response to the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Monday. The announcement was made by Sheikh Ali Al Nashwan, Board Member of the Alwaleed Foundation and religious advisor. The campaign to support the Syrian people has come amid accelerating violence in the country that has claimed thousands of lives since the uprising began last year. Saudis from all of the Kingdom's regions were urged to participate in the relief campaign. The campaign also brought writers, thinkers and intellectuals on Saudi TV to provide insight into the situation and the status of Syrians affected by the uprising. The Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation is involved in a wide spectrum of humanitarian activities reaching more than 70 countries. Its main focus areas have been established around strategic initiatives, ranging from disaster relief and community development, to women and youth empowerment, as well as promoting global cultural understanding. Meanwhile, Prince Alwaleed received at his office in Riyadh Sir John Jenkins, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Jenkins was accompanied by Roderick Drummond, Deputy Head of Mission. The meeting was also attended by Mohammed Al-Mujadidi, Senior Executive Manager, Office of the Chairman, Nahla Alanbar, Private Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Intisar Al-Yamani, Executive Manager Corporate Communications Department and Husam Alsuliman, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The meeting began with Ambassador Jenkins thanking Prince Alwaleed for giving him the opportunity to meet him, as it was the diplomat's first meeting with Prince Alwaleed since he took up the post as British Ambassador to the Kingdom this year. The two discussed the importance of the long established Saudi-British relations and the efforts made by both countries to maintain it. They also discussed a number of general local, regional issues and the current global economic climate. Ambassador Jenkins also thanked Prince Alwaleed for receiving many British delegations during their visits to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Prince Alwaleed received the Rt Hon. Alderman David Wootton, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, at his office in Riyadh, and an accompanying delegation. Prince Alwaleed has a long established relationship with the UK through his investments via KHC and through the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation. — SG
