JEDDAH — The Jeddah Municipality has declined to confirm or deny local press reports that Mayor Hani Abu Ras has resigned. "We have no comment at the moment. We have not received anything official in this regard so far," said Mohammed Al-Baqami, the municipality spokesman. Al-Baqami, however, said Abu Ras is currently enjoying a 45-day vacation which started last week. According to local media reports, the mayor submitted his resignation to the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Abdullatif Al-Asheikh who has not decided whether or not to accept his resignation. Abdullah Al-Qarni, undersecretary of the municipality, said he was asked to take over the duties of the mayor during his absence. — Okaz/Saudi Gazette
