Tue May 27 02:14:13 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Reports that Saudi Arabia was planning to lift its long-standing ban on alcohol have been refuted by a Saudi official. The kingdom maintains its prohibition.
**News Article:**
**Saudi Arabia Denies Reports of Lifting Alcohol Ban**
RIYADH – A Saudi official on Monday dismissed recent media reports suggesting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, would be ending its decades-long prohibition on alcohol.
The denial comes after widespread speculation that the kingdom was preparing to lift the 73-year-old ban, a significant aspect of its cultural and religious identity. The official statement reaffirmed that the sale and consumption of alcohol remain prohibited in Saudi Arabia, adhering to Islamic principles. The announcement effectively quashes rumors that had circulated about potential changes to the strict regulations.
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