Saudi Defense Minister Receives UK Secretary of State for Defense

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in his office in Riyadh the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in his office in Riyadh the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Receives UK Secretary of State for Defense

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in his office in Riyadh the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in his office in Riyadh the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in his office in Riyadh with the UK Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps, said SPA on Thursday.

The two officials discussed the strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. They also discussed aspects of cooperation in the military and defense fields, and ways to enhance and develop them.

The two sides also discussed the military escalation in Gaza and its surroundings, and the international efforts exerted in that regard.
The Saudi Minister stressed the need to calm the situation in Gaza.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Sultan, the Vice Minister of Defense, Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, several senior officials and the delegation accompanying the UK minister.



Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply:

First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

Fourth, the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.