Egypt and Jordan affirm full support for Palestinians

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah have affirmed their full support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and urged Israel to fulfill its obligations in accordance with international law and to honor all agreements signed with the Palestinians.

Finding a suitable solution to the Palestinian cause and achieving a just and comprehensive peace is a strategic option and a regional and international requirement, the three leaders said in a joint communiqué after the tripartite summit in the Egyptian city of El Alamein.

The summit was held amid ongoing talk about a possible normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In their communiqué, Sisi, Abdullah, and Abbas did not make any direct reference to reports about US efforts to broker a deal between Jerusalem and Riyadh. They stressed their “adherence” to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which stipulates that the Arab states would normalize their relations with Israel only after a full Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

In the past, the Palestinian leadership accused the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan of violating the terms of the Arab Peace Initiative by reaching separate normalization agreements with Israel.

Last weekend, Saudi Arabia said it had named its ambassador to Jordan, Nayef al-Sudairi, as Ambassador Extraordinary to the State of Palestine and Consul-General in Jerusalem.

Some Palestinians are convinced that the move is linked to US efforts to broker a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. They view the appointment of the envoy as part of a Saudi attempt to placate the Palestinians ahead of a normalization agreement with Israel.

At Monday’s summit, Sisi, Abdullah, and Abbas lashed out at Israel over its policies and measures against the Palestinians.

In their statement, the three leaders called on Israel to halt military incursions into Palestinian cities in the West Bank, saying it was undermining the ability of the PA government and security forces to carry out their duties.

They urged Israel to release Palestinian tax revenues it had seized because of payments made by the PA to security prisoners and the families of those killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis.

The three leaders condemned “the ongoing and escalating Israeli illegal practices” against the Palestinians and warned that Israel’s actions were “undermining the two-state solution and instigating violence and chaos.”

They called for halting Israeli settlement activities and emphasized the necessity of ending settler “terrorism.”

They also denounced Israel for violating the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites and demanded an end to the “storming” of al-Aqsa Mosque, a reference to visits by Jews to the Temple Mount.

According to the communiqué, Sisi and Abbas emphasized the importance of the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem’s holy sites, including the Haram al-Sharif/Noble Sanctuary (Temple Mount).

Israel, the Palestinians, and several Arab countries recognize Jordan’s role in administering the holy sites.

In recent years, unconfirmed reports in Israeli and Arab media outlets said the Saudis were also seeking a role in administering the Islamic sites in Jerusalem, a move that would end Jordan’s exclusive and historical status in the city.

 

Pakistan Refinery expresses inability to process Russian crude

Pakistan Refinery (PRL) has reportedly raised concerns about its capacity to process more quantities of Russian crude oil, a setback for the Shehbaz Sharif government’s attempts to increase reliance on cheaper Russian crude to cut domestic fuel prices.

Analysts say the processing of Russian crude oil — available at a discount after it was banned from European markets due to Russia’s war on Ukraine — has been hampered by a shortage of foreign currency and limitations at Pakistan’s refineries and ports.

Another obstacle is that local refineries cannot extract as much petrol and diesel out of Urals crude — a type of crude oil from Russia — as they produce from Middle Eastern crudes.

Pakistan’s first crude cargo from Russia arrived in June and the payment was made in yuans. The target was to import 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Russia, nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s total 154,000 bpd of crude imports in 2022.

The first shipment did not immediately lead to any significant savings for consumers. Instead, just over a week before the National Assembly’s dissolution, the outgoing coalition government raised petrol and diesel prices by up to Rs20 per litre.

According to sector experts, PRL failed in gaining any notable financial gains from processing the Russian crude, adding that the move to increase imports was allegedly a political stunt by the PDM government to appease consumers.

Musadik Malik, the minister of state for petroleum in the previous cabinet, told Dawn that PRL had not refused to further process Russian crude imports as long as he was in charge. The National Assembly was dissolved at midnight on Wednesday.

Some sources estimate the financial benefit to the PRL from this import was too paltry.

According to informed sources, PRL had taken the stance that other refineries should also bear the responsibility and challenges of processing Russian crude oil, which had not resulted in any significant financial benefit for the PRL.

Given the minimal benefits in terms of reducing local fuel prices, experts believe the interim government may shy away from importing more Russian crude until after the general elections.

Annually, local refineries process about 3 million tons of locally extracted crude oil. Besides, the country imports up to 8 million tons crude from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Zahid Mir, Chief Executive Officer PRL last month told Reuters that the refinery would need around two months to fully process its first batch of 100,000 tons equivalent to 730,000 barrels of Urals crude.

This oil needs to be mixed with Middle Eastern crude to balance the high fuel oil output from the Russian variant. “Our optimum processing solution is to blend Urals with Middle Eastern imported crude while not exceeding 50% Ural in the blend,” Mir told the news agency.

 

Upcoming Saudi Maritime Congress

The maritime and logistics sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by economic diversification efforts, policy reforms, and foreign direct investment commitments.

As the Kingdom fast-tracks its way to becoming a world-leading maritime hub, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans. The upcoming 4th edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress is poised to be a central event in these developments.

Taking place in Dammam from September 20-21, 2023, the Saudi Maritime Congress will illuminate the tremendous scope of opportunity within the fast-growing maritime logistics sector. Chris Morley, Group Director Seatrade Maritime, emphasizes the integral role of maritime transport infrastructure as part of the strategy to bolster the domestic ports and logistics sector, in line with the government's ambitious goal of making Saudi Arabia the leading regional logistics hub.

The Congress's comprehensive and free-to-attend conference program will provide an in-depth analysis of Vision2030 and its objectives for the maritime and logistics sectors.

Among the planned improvements are initiatives to boost port revenue, enhance rail connectivity, and quadruple the country's annual container throughput to 40 million TEU by 2030.

Mega projects like the US$500 billion Neom scheme and plans for the Oxagon port, the world's largest floating structure, signify the scale of Saudi Arabia's aspirations.

Building on the success of the 2022 event, which attracted 3,757 international visitors, this year's exhibition and conference at Dhahran Expo, Dammam, KSA, promises to be a vital gathering of maritime executives, leading suppliers of marine equipment and services, and key influencers in the KSA maritime landscape.

The two-day program features industry and keynote addresses by prominent figures such as Nancy W. Karigithu, Principal Secretary State Department for Shipping and Maritime, Kenya; Erik Jensby, Head of Business Development and Membership, BIMCO; John McDonald, EVP and COO, ABS. With over 30 speakers lined up, topics ranging from ship management to mega strategies for the maritime industry's future in the Kingdom will be explored.

The bustling exhibition will include companies like MAWANI; IMI; Transport Global Authority; Saudi Global Ports Co; Grandweld; Naghi Marine Company; DP World Middle East; ASRY, and more, showcasing the latest in maritime technology and services.

The Saudi Maritime Congress 2023 promises to be a vital forum for understanding and engaging with the Kingdom's ambitious maritime and logistics goals. By offering a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the region's maritime landscape.

Registration is free for both the exhibition and conference program, highlighting the Congress's accessibility and dedication to fostering industry growth.

 

US losing power to control crude oil prices

Historically, OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia had remained under the US pressure to move crude oil prices, the way the super power wanted. The recent history includes, Iran-Iraq war, imposition of sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, political turmoil in Nigeria and Libya and the latest being imposition of sanctions on Russia. Lately, there are growing evidences that the US power to maneuver crude oil prices is on the decline.

Oil prices tumbled about one percent on Monday as concerns about China's faltering economic recovery and a stronger dollar, after seven weeks of gains driven by tightening supply from OPEC Plus cuts.

Brent crude futures slipped 93 cents, or about 1.1% to US$86.46 a barrel by 1237 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell US$1.03, or roughly 1.2%, to US$82.81 a barrel.

"Crude has been in overbought territory for some time now, defying expectations of a correction. It has been singularly focused on US economic optimism, to the exclusion of the increasingly stronger headwinds blowing in the eurozone and China," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

"A rebalancing is overdue but it may need a reality check in the markets stateside," she said.

China's sluggish economic recovery and a stronger US dollar could depress prices, but OPEC Plus has indicated it would do whatever it takes to tighten supply and stabilize markets, CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said.

The US dollar index extended gains after a slightly bigger increase in US producer prices in July lifted Treasury yields despite expectations the Federal Reserve is at the end of hiking interest rates

A stronger dollar pressures oil demand by making the commodity more expensive for buyers holding other currencies.

Meanwhile, supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, part of the alliance between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, or OPEC Plus, are expected to erode oil inventories over the rest of this year, potentially driving prices even higher, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report on Friday.

Last week’s encouraging demand estimates, falling OPEC supply, declining inventories and mitigated inflationary pressure, said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM, "is a warning signal that unless China joins the party the path upwards will be paved with pitfalls".

Separately on Monday, a Shell spokesperson said exports of Nigeria's Forcados crude oil resumed on Sunday, roughly a month after loadings of the medium sweet grade were suspended because of a potential leak at the export terminal.

The suspension of Forcados loadings contributed to Nigeria becoming the second-biggest contributor to the drop in OPEC crude oil output in July.

 

Israel rules out Jerusalem base for Saudi envoy

According to Reuters, Israel has ruled out on Sunday a diplomatic base in Jerusalem for the new Saudi envoy to the Palestinians, whose appointment comes as Washington tries to forge formal Israeli relations with Riyadh.

Saudi Ambassador to Jordan, Nayef Al-Sudairi on Saturday expanded his credentials to include non-resident envoy to the Palestinians. A social media post by his embassy in Amman said "Consul General in Jerusalem" was now among Al-Sudairi's duties.

That appeared to correspond with the Palestinians' long-standing and so-far fruitless goal of founding a state in territories occupied by Israel in a 1967 war, with East Jerusalem as capital.

Israel deems Jerusalem its own capital, a status recognized by the United States under then-President Donald Trump in 2017 but not by other world powers. Israeli authorities bar Palestinian diplomatic activity in the city.

Saudi Arabia has championed the Palestinian cause and shunned official ties with Israel but the US is seeking to promote what could be a historic Middle East deal that would include normalizing Israeli-Saudi relations.

"This (Al-Sudairi) could be a delegate who will meet with representatives in the Palestinian Authority," Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM.

"We will not allow the opening of any kind of diplomatic mission" in Jerusalem, Cohen added. "Will there be an official physically sitting in Jerusalem? This we will not allow."

Israel's hard-right government has played down any prospect of it giving significant ground to the Palestinians as part of a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh has previously conditioned recognition of Israel on Palestinians' statehood goal being addressed. Among challenges to that goal is the schism between the internationally backed Palestinian administration and its armed Islamist rival Hamas.

Bassam Al-Agha, the Palestinian ambassador to Riyadh, cast Al-Sudairi's appointment as Saudi affirmation of Palestinian statehood and rejection of what had been announced by former US President Trump.

"This means a continuation of Saudi Arabia's positions," Al-Agha told Voice of Palestine radio.

While Cohen said Al-Sudairi's appointment had not been coordinated with Israel, he saw a possible link to the normalization prospects.

"What is behind this development is that, against the backdrop of progress in the US talks with Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Saudis want to relay a message to the Palestinians that they have not forgotten them," Cohen said.

 

Iran to invest US$2 billion in maritime projects

Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali-Akbar Safaei has said that investment in maritime projects across the country is going to be increased to one quadrillion rials (about US$2.01 billion) in order to realize maritime economy goals.

So far 189 trillion rials (about US$381.2 million) have been invested in various maritime projects across the country, Safaei said on Thursday in a televised interview with IRIB.

Mentioning the remarks of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei regarding the significance of the maritime economy, the official said the PMO has been named as the body in charge of realizing the country’s maritime economy goals.

In this regard, the parliament has also prepared the necessary legal basis in the maritime sector to increase the share of the sea economy in the country's economic growth, he said.

He pointed to the oil industry, marine food sector, and tourism as some major axes of the maritime economy, noting that in the offshore sector, the main issue is to form economic poles on the coastal regions.

Back in May, Safaei said that over US$800 million of maritime and port projects were underway in the country.

In November 2022, PMO announced that the organization has modified its investment charter in order to facilitate foreign investment in the country’s ports.

“Since economic diplomacy is a major policy of the 13th government, the charter of investment in ports has been facilitated with the aim of attracting foreign investors,” IRNA quoted PMO Deputy Head Jalil Eslami as saying.

Speaking in a gathering of PMO managers with oil and petrochemical industry representatives, Eslami said: “We live in a period when ports infrastructure development is very important and over the past few decades positive efforts have been made to increase the capacity of ports in the south and north of the country.”

According to the official, the capacity of the country’s ports is going to be increased to 280 million tons per annum in the near future.

Later in March this year, Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash inaugurated 10 major maritime projects worth 42.951 trillion rials (about US$81.1 million) in southern Hormozgan province.

 

Iran unblocks funds stuck in South Korea

Iranian central bank chief said on Saturday that all of Iran's frozen funds in South Korea had been unblocked and would be available for use for non-sanctioned goods.

Mohammad Reza Farzin's post on social media appeared to confirm comments a day earlier by Washington, which said there would be restrictions on what Iran could do with any funds unfrozen under an emerging deal that has led to the release of five Americans from prison to house arrest in Tehran.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Iran could only access the funds to buy food, medicine, medical equipment that would not have a dual military use. An estimated US$6 billion in Iranian assets have been held in South Korea.

The five Americans will be allowed to leave Iran once the funds are unfrozen, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Farzin wrote in a post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the funds would be transferred to six Iranian banks in Qatar.

"Congratulations to the foreign exchange diplomacy team for successfully releasing seized foreign currency resources," he said in the post.

He added that the costs of converting the funds from South Korea's won currency to euros would be accepted by the "third country" where the money would be deposited to buy non-sanctioned goods.