Saudi aid handed over to Mali

Bamako, September 05, SPA -- In implementation of the directives of
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud, Saudi humanitarian aid was handed over to Mali to alleviate the
effects of recent drought and locust invasion of agricultural crops
in Mali.

The aid was handed over by Saudi Acting Chargé d'Affaires in Mali
Ibrahim bin Abdulwahab Al-Ghareeb, Head of Saudi Relief Delegation
Ibrahim bin Sulaiman Al-Duraiweesh, Finance Ministry Representative
Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Subaie and Chief of Food Security Commission
in Mali Nana Lansri.

The aid included 3,667 tons of rice.

A ceremony was held on this occasion during which the Chief of Food
Security Commission Nana Lansri delivered a speech in which she
asserted that the Kingdom is always standing with the people of Mali
who are facing food crisis in some parts of the republic.

"The aid provided by the Saudi government for the government of Mali
to support the citizens during the blessed month of Ramadan will
contribute to alleviating the suffering of the Malian population",
she added.

The Chief of Food Security Commission thanked the government and
people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commending the good
cooperation by Saudi Relief Team with all officials during its noble
task.

Following that, Al-Ghareeb delivered a speech in which he said that
the food aid ordered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the
people of Mali came within the King's humanitarian efforts to help
those affected throughout the world.

"During the first days of the blessed month of Ramadan, we witness
the handing over of more than three thousand tons of rice in
coordination among the Saudi Embassy, the government of Mali and
Saudi Relief Delegation", he added.

Then, Al-Duraiweesh delivered a speech in which he said that the aid
came in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to provide urgent
assistance to Mali amounting to $3,000,000 to bridge Mali's food
shortages caused by drought and locust invasion of agricultural
crops.

On his part, the Saudi Ambassador to Mali Fawaz Al-Timyat thanked the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
for his noble gesture, pointing out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
has recently provided financial assistance estimated at SR 1,000,000
for Ahmed Baba Centre of Islamic Manuscripts in addition to Arab and
Islamic centers throughout Mali.

--SPA