crisis is orchestrated. Some workers reduce the quantity allocated to each retailer to force them to buy the flour at a higher price from the black market.

The GSFMO director at Jeddah's Islamic Seaport, Ali Obaid, said that the crisis would end in a few weeks.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sunday, called for an emergency meeting with flour distributors and bakery owners to discuss the matter.

Hassan Ageel, undersecretary for Internal Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, said: "The prices are being monitored and a solution to the problem is underway.

The meeting will hopefully be able to end this crisis by providing more flour in the market and have the price decrease once again.

Many bakeries in Makkah, nearby villages and Taif have also closed due to the shortageof flour.

Monday, February 11, 2008

JEDDAH -Motorists using Prince Majed Street here be warned: there's a traffic diversion at the old Plane roundabout with second phase work underway to transform the street into a freeway.

"The second phase work in the north of the Plane roundabout and Sari Street, is to connect Al-Rawdah Street with Al-Madinah Road," said Ahmad Ba-Nafe'e, general projects supervisor of Jeddah Municipality, on Sunday.

The third phase that will start later this month will see work starting on the south of the Plane roundabout, to link Prince Majed Street with Al-Tahlia Street.

First phase work to a built bridge connecting Hera'a street with Prince Majed Street, meanwhile continues.

All in all, the street will be problematic for motorists for months to come. "The area of the Plane roundabout will