GCC Secretary General Discusses Areas of Cooperation between the GCC and Cuba

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary General Discusses Areas of Cooperation between the GCC and Cuba

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that he discussed areas of cooperation between the GCC and Cuba, as well as ways to enhance and develop them in fields that serve common interests.

His remarks came during a meeting Wednesday with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York City, said SPA on Thursday.

The secretary general said several topics were discussed during the meeting, including reviewing the bilateral relations, and ways to enhance and develop them in fields that achieve joint goals.

Albudaiwi praised Cuba's signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Caribbean States, which was inked two days ago between the GCC countries and the association.

He also highlighted Cuba's active contributions to the GCC healthcare sector.



Saudi Interior Ministry Arrests 17 for Transporting Individuals Without Hajj Permits

Muslims perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) around Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, at al-Masjid al-Haram, during the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 05 June 2025. (EPA)
Muslims perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) around Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, at al-Masjid al-Haram, during the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 05 June 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Arrests 17 for Transporting Individuals Without Hajj Permits

Muslims perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) around Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, at al-Masjid al-Haram, during the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 05 June 2025. (EPA)
Muslims perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) around Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, at al-Masjid al-Haram, during the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 05 June 2025. (EPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior's Hajj Security Forces apprehended 17 individuals - three expatriates and 14 citizens - for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 109 individuals without valid Hajj permits at Makkah entry points .
Administrative rulings were issued by the seasonal administrative committees against both transporters and those transported, said the Saudi Press Agency.

Penalties imposed included imprisonment, fines of up to SAR 100,000, public naming of violators, deportation of expatriate offenders with a 10-year re-entry ban, and legal proceedings for the confiscation of vehicles used in the violations. Individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit face a fine of up to SAR 20,000.

The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims performing their rites.