Riyadh, February 21, 2021, SPA -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh newspaper reported in its editorial that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays a major role in maintaining the stability of the Middle East region, due to its high political, economic, military and religious position, as it has always been respected and appreciated by the entire world. Through its presidency of G20, Saudi Arabia provided a whole slew of international initiatives to confront COVID-19 pandemic and push the international economy forward, the paper said. The telephone call that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received from the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that the United States, over its long history, has lauded Saudi Arabia’s position and vital role in enhancing security and safety in the Middle East region, in addition to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the paper added. The telephone call affirmed that Saudi Arabia always calls for peace and it did not seek to engage in a war with the Houthis, except after their coup against the legitimacy in Yemen. Over the past years and until today, Riyadh has always welcomed any international efforts to end this war and guarantee the rights of the Yemeni people to live in peace and security, the paper further added. In this regard, the United States has realized that that Saudi Arabia always exerts unprecedented efforts at all levels to confront Iranian terrorism in the region, while the Iranian regime is seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction to threaten its neighbors, as US Secretary of Defense emphasized his country's commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend itself, the paper concluded. Al-Bilad newspaper said in its editorial that the Fourth Industrial Revolution changed the features of the global economy, which has surpassed the traditional patterns of investment and production fields to the digital economy and e-commerce, followed by broad changes in the concept of education, jobs and services, which in general constitute economy of the future and its huge fields. The newspaper added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under its wise leadership, continues to progress towards achieving an economy with strong pillars of the communications infrastructure, the most recent of which is the optical fiber network and fifth generation (5G) networks, active digital transformation in all sectors, in addition to mega development projects. The paper concluded that huge investments are directed to this modern construction of sustainable development and maximizing the contributions of the non-oil economy, through which Saudi Arabia reinforces its role in the global economy in parallel with its main historical role in oil energy supplies, so that Saudi Arabia maintains its role as a fundamental pillar in the present and future of global development. In another context, Al-Yaum newspaper reported in its editorial that all gains achieved in addressing the Coronavirus pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are accomplished due to the continuous and unlimited support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The newspaper pointed to the Ministry of Health’s announcement about the launch of the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination across Saudi Arabia. It also referred to the speech of the Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Health Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulali where he affirmed that we are approaching a return to normal life, and must continue to adhere to the precautionary measures. The newspaper concluded that the aforementioned data affirm that this current stage is extremely important and we all must deal with this stage with all seriousness by adhering to the precautionary and preventive measures. --SPA 11:39 LOCAL TIME 08:39 GMT 0003 www.spa.gov.sa/w1508634