MUST-READS

• Syria
  Syria declares new chemical weapons facilities

  Correspondents say the announcement heightens concerns that the Syrian government has not been fully open about its chemical weapons program.

• Shipping
  Saudi Arabia’s Vela Marine transfers 10th VLCC to Bahri for $86m

  The transfer of the crude carriers, which were all renamed, is part of the planned merger of Vela’s fleet and operations with Bahri that was announced in the first half of the year. Bahri would shell out SR4.88bn for the whole deal through a combination of cash (SR3.12bn) and equity payment.

• Lebanon, Saudi, Russian Arms
  Lebanon to get Russian helicopters, air defense: report

  Lebanon is considering using a Saudi grant to buy much needed weapons and equipment from Moscow to bolster its Army amid a jihadist threat, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk has said. “There are talks on buying Russian arms and special equipment by Lebanon,” the World Tribune quoted Machnouk as saying during his visit to Moscow in late September to discuss weapons supplies to Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces.

• Legal
  Baker and McKenzie ups its bet on Saudi Arabia with second office

  Baker & McKenzie and its Saudi Arabian association Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I Al-Ajlan & Partners, are set to open a second office in Saudi Arabia with a launch in the country’s commercial centre Jeddah.

• Haj Rituals
  Muslims gather at Mount Arafat for major day of annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

  It was at Mount Arafat some 1,400 years ago that the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his last sermon during hajj. He called for equality and for Muslims to unite. He reminded his followers of women's rights and that every Muslim life and property is sacred.

• Saudi-Lebanon
  Saudi Arabia waiting on new president for $3B grant to Lebanon

  The arms deal is “not advancing.”

• UN
  Sweden to Recognize State of Palestine

  The U.N. General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in 2012 but the European Union and most EU countries, have yet to give official recognition.

• Instability in the Middle East
  Opinion: Islamic State Leads Mideast Into Warlord Era as Nations Dissolve

  The Middle East may be sliding toward a warlord era, with nation-states increasingly struggling to control all their territory and millions living under the rule of emergent local chiefs and movements.

  • Reuters - In rare alliance, Shi'ites join Sunnis to defend Iraqi towns
• Missing Saudi in California
  FBI assisting in search for missing CSUN student, Saudi national Abdullah Alkadi

  Alkadi’s two cousins and a friend, all of whom were Abdullah’s roommates, last saw him at their home in the 9900 block of Reseda Boulevard on Sept. 17. He was reported missing early the next morning, his brother Ahmed Alkadi has said, adding that it was very uncharacteristic of his brother to disappear without being in contact with any family members.

• ISIS and Air Strikes
  Islamic State Dispersing Makes U.S Adapt Targets

  “Yes, they’re blending in more” with the population and “yes, they’re dispersing, and yes, they aren’t communicating quite as openly or as boldly as they once were,” Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters yesterday at the Pentagon. “That’s a good thing, because if they aren’t operating as freely, then they aren’t as free to achieve their goals.”

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