Saudi Arabia, Russia Stress Need to Stop Military Operations in Palestinian Territories

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 6, 2023.  Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 6, 2023. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS
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Saudi Arabia, Russia Stress Need to Stop Military Operations in Palestinian Territories

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 6, 2023.  Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 6, 2023. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

In a joint statement published on Thursday after they met a day earlier in Riyadh, the Crown Prince and Putin “stressed the need to stop military operations in the Palestinian territories, and the need to protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.”

They called for enabling international humanitarian organizations to play their role in providing humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinian people, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and to support their efforts.

The two sides stressed security and stability in Palestine could only be achieved through the implementation of international resolutions related to the two-state solution in order to ensure the creation of appropriate conditions for peaceful coexistence and economic development, and to enable the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.