Riyadh, May 20, 2021, SPA -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh and Al-Bilad newspapers reported in their editorials that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and African countries’ relations have witnessed qualitative developments over the past years, including a focus on strengthening political, economic, financial, educational, and social aspects. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has provided billions of dollars to help African countries in overcoming their economic problems. The newspapers also pointed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's speech delivered virtually by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense before the Summit on Financing African Economies, held in Paris. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its pioneering role in advancing development in the African continent countries and its support for international and regional efforts in cooperation with the African Union to lay the foundations of security, stability, and conflict resolution. The Kingdom has also affirmed its support for international efforts in combating terrorist groups and extremism for each of the Sahel and Saharan countries, combating terrorism, improving the security capabilities of those countries, and the importance of development in the countries of the African continent and the promotion of investment in them. The newspapers further added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen on developing relations with African countries. As a result, during the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the directive was issued to have a Minister of State for African Countries Affairs, in order to build stronger political relations and advanced economic and security ties that coincide with the Kingdom's vision and role. Al-Yaum newspaper reported in its editorial that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed bin Abdullah Bukhari stated that Saudi Arabia has a single political discourse and this is what has resulted in earning everyone’s respect. In this regard, the newspaper pointed to the Lebanese delegations, including the economic and political bodies, that have visited Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador in Beirut to express their rejection and condemnation of Lebanese Foreign Minister in the caretaker government Charbel Wehbe's disgraceful statements, in which he insulted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people and the GCC countries. The several delegations representing different segments of the Lebanese society affirmed rejection of the Foreign Minister’s statements, since these statements are incompatible with the simplest diplomatic norms and inconsistent with the historical relations between the two brotherly peoples, the newspaper added. In another context, Okaz newspaper reported in its editorial that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia day after day keeps proving its economic strength and its contribution to the stability of the oil market. Over the recent period, Saudi Arabia contributed to raising oil prices to exceed USD 70 per barrel, the highest in several months. The newspaper added that Saudi Arabia has voluntarily cut 1 million barrels a day of crude production in February and March in bid to lift prices. Then the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ decided earlier in April to extend most of its production cuts, prompting Saudi Arabia to continue the voluntary production cut of one million barrels per day in April. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts enabled Brent crude to top USD 70 levels, as this confirms Saudi Arabia’s economic strength and its contribution to supporting oil stability to reach fair prices, the newspaper concluded. --SPA 09:38 LOCAL TIME 06:38 GMT 0008 www.spa.gov.sa/w1559893