Radio Islam News Team- 25/02/2016

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir arrived in Pretoria on Monday night on an official visit to South Africa.

He was received at Pretoria Airport by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Deputy Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Yahya A’kish, and members of the embassy.

President Jacob Zuma met with Al-Jubeir and his accompanying delegation earlier in the week.

It has been reported that during the meeting, the minister conveyed greetings of the leader and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Zuma who in turn sent his greetings to them.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Jubeir said that his visit to the Republic of South Africa comes within the framework of distinguishing and enhancing relations between the two countries in all fields, as well as discussing issues of common interest.

Radio Islam contacted the Department of International Relations, the presidency’s spokesperson Bongani Majola, all of whom could not confirm the visit by Al-Jubeir- citing “they do not know anything about the visit”.

Iran Can Wait

President Jacob Zuma who was supposed to visit Iran on February 28 and 29 to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries has postponed his visit to country.

Government is considering building an oil refinery that will process Iranian crude to bolster its petrol supply and reduce its dependence on foreign companies.

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa visited Iran in November to explore opportunities for co-operation in the energy sector.

It’s been revealed that Zuma has been appointed the convenor of an African Union committee of five heads of state and governments tasked with addressing the political situation in the country.

He will be leaving for Burundi on Thursday.

Contributor: Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia
Twitter: @thedabhelia