Saudi Arabia, South Korea Boost Ties with Several Agreements

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, South Korea Boost Ties with Several Agreements

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the official reception (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol where discussions focused on the bilateral ties and efforts to promote cooperation in various sectors.

The talks culminated in the signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields.

An official reception ceremony was held in honor of the Korean President at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

The two leaders held an extensive meeting and a session of official talks. They explored opportunities to utilize the available resources in both countries to achieve mutual benefits.

They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest.

The Crown Prince and the Korean President attended the signing ceremony of several bilateral agreements and MoUs between the two countries, including a draft MoU regarding establishing the Strategic Partnership Council between the two governments.

The deals also included the Hydrogen Oasis Initiative for cooperation in green and clean hydrogen and a deal to mutually exempt holders of diplomatic, private, and official passports from short-stay visa requirements.

A joint statistical cooperation program between the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia and Statistics Korea (KOSTAT) was also signed, as well as a MoU between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to strengthen cooperation in the fields of food and medical products.

The meetings were attended by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, along with several Saudi ministers and the accompanying delegation of the Korean President.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his delegation arrived in Riyadh Saturday evening on a state visit to the Kingdom.



Governor of Hadhramaut Launches Military Operation to Take Control of STC Positions

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
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Governor of Hadhramaut Launches Military Operation to Take Control of STC Positions

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)

The Yemeni News Agency said on Friday that the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, issued a decision assigning the Governor of Hadhramaut, Salem Al-Khanbashi, to assume the general command of the National Shield forces in the governorate.

The official agency stated that the decision grants Al-Khanbashi “full military, security, and administrative powers to achieve the restoration of security and order in the governorate”.

It added that the decision stipulates that the assignment will end “once the reasons that led to it cease, or upon the issuance of a decision by the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, canceling this assignment”.

In a recorded speech following his appointment, Al-Khanbashi confirmed that the Southern Transitional Council deliberately rejected all responsible solutions aimed at de-escalation. He pointed out that STC forces had prepared plans intended to create widespread chaos in Hadhramaut.

He also announced that the National Shield forces had launched a military operation called “Receiving the Camps,” aimed at taking over military sites in a peaceful and organized manner. He added that “the military operation is not a declaration of war, but a responsible preventive measure”.

He further stressed that “the operation does not target any political or social component, nor civilians” in Hadhramaut.

This came after the National Field forces had expressed their readiness on Thursday to take over military sites and checkpoints from the Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah.

 


Saudi Crown Prince, Emir of Qatar Discuss Fraternal Ties, Regional and Global Developments

Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Emir of Qatar Discuss Fraternal Ties, Regional and Global Developments

Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call on Thursday from Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Saudi Press Agency said.

They discussed ways to strengthen fraternal ties between the two countries and addressed recent regional and international developments.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Thursday a cable of condolences to Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

He extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president and the family of the deceased.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Shahabuddin a similar cable.