Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Eqtisadiah and Al-Bilad newspapers reported in their editorials that since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been keen to mitigate the negative impacts of this global pandemic. The government of Saudi Arabia's measures have included all sectors and different activities. On the economic side, more than 150 initiatives were launched with total allocations exceeding SAR 180 billion. Saudi Arabia also supported international efforts and pledged USD 500 million to support efforts to combat the pandemic, the newspapers added. The newspapers further said that the care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince, has been clear since the beginning of the crisis, and HRH the Crown Prince has repeatedly stressed that Saudi Arabia is determined to preserve all the gains that have been achieved since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030. In this regard, a Royal approval was issued including a number of incentive initiatives for facilities affiliated to Hajj and Umrah sector. The newspapers concluded that this extraordinary support represents the wise leadership's keenness to address the repercussions of the pandemic at all levels, as the national economy has proven its strength and ability to overcome the challenges and the consequences of the crisis. In another context, Al-Yaum and Al-Riyadh newspapers reported in their editorials that the ongoing aggressive escalation in the region, on top of which is the terrorist attacks on Saudi Arabia, is nothing but usual Iranian behavior. The newspapers pointed to the statement of the Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki as saying that "In reference to the statement issued by the Ministry of Energy in regards to the failed attempted targeting of one of the Petroleum Tank Farms in Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Province using a bomb-laden UAV that came from the sea, and the attempt to target Aramco facilities in Dhahran." "The attacking bomb-laden UAV that came via the sea was intercepted and destroyed prior to reaching its target. The ballistic missile that was launched to target Aramco facilities in Dhahran was intercepted and destroyed as well." The statement affirmed that the Ministry of Defense will undertake all necessary, deterrent measures to safeguard its national assets in a manner that preserves the security of global energy, puts an end to these acts of terrorism and guarantees the security and stability of oil supplies. The newspapers concluded that these information included in the statement reflects the people's absolute confidence in the men of the armed forces and Saudi Arabia's defense forces that intercept and destroy all attacks launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias to target civilians and civilian objects.
