Damianos travels by road to Doha after Saudi airport closures disrupt visit

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Energy Minister Michael Damianos said on Tuesday that clashes involving Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis had disrupted travel during his visit, although he never felt unsafe. Saudi airport closures forced the Cypriot delegation to make the journey to Doha, Qatar, by road.

Travel disrupted by security conditions

Speaking to Cypriot media while travelling between Riyadh and Doha on Tuesday, Damianos said the difficulties had started on Saturday. After landing in Bahrain, the delegation could not continue to Saudi Arabia by air because of the security situation.

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The delegation was due to arrive in Doha in the early afternoon and then board a flight to Cyprus.

An attack on King Khalid international airport in Riyadh on Sunday evening left one person dead and nearly a dozen injured. It followed a strike on Saturday, claimed by the Houthis, that killed 13 people and injured more than 300. That strike was the kingdom’s deadliest in over a decade.

Saudi authorities have prolonged the airport’s operational suspension by one week.

Energy agreement signed during visit

Damianos spent three days in Saudi Arabia and participated in Riyadh’s WPC Energy Congress. He said the conference programme went ahead without disruption.

On Monday, Damianos signed a cooperation memorandum with his Saudi counterpart covering major energy fields: oil, natural gas, renewable energy resources, electrical interconnections and digital transformation.

Delegation accompanied by security personnel

Asked about conditions during the visit, Damianos said security personnel had accompanied the delegation throughout its stay and remained with it on Tuesday.

“We have a security detail with us today also, and we feel completely safe.”

He added that the Cypriot delegation had not been in danger at any point.