Saudi Crown Prince, British Foreign Secretary Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, British Foreign Secretary Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks on Wednesday in Riyadh with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, focusing on regional developments and efforts to achieve security and stability.

The two sides reviewed aspects of bilateral relations and means to strengthen and develop areas of joint cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and National Security Advisor, in addition to the British minister of Middle Eastern Affairs, Tariq Ahmad, and Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Cameron also met in Riyadh with the head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, who called on the international community to adopt stricter punitive measures against the Houthis.

He noted that those must include working for the implementation of international resolutions and supporting the legitimate government to restore the institutions, liberate Al-Hodeidah and prevent the flow of Iranian weapons to the rebel group.

Prior to his visit to Riyadh, Cameron held talks in Muscat with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. In media statements, he noted that his country and Oman were working together to promote stability in the Middle East and alleviate tension.



Pilgrims Converge at Mount Arafat for Daylong Worship

15 June 2024, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Saudi Press Agency
15 June 2024, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Saudi Press Agency
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Pilgrims Converge at Mount Arafat for Daylong Worship

15 June 2024, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Saudi Press Agency
15 June 2024, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Saudi Press Agency

Muslims from around the world congregated Saturday at a sacred hill in Saudi Arabia for worship and reflection.

The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the hill of mercy, is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who stand together asking God for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health. The hill is about 20 kilometers southeast of Makkah.

Thousands of pilgrims walked there through the predawn darkness. On the slopes of the rocky hill and the surrounding area, many raised their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces.

Most of the pilgrims at Mount Arafat carried umbrellas, while others sat in the shade. And, as at Mina and the Grand Mosque, cooling stations on the roads leading to the hill and in its surrounding areas sprayed pilgrims with water to help fight the heat, which had already climbed to 47C at Mount Arafat, according to Saudi metrological authorities.

Pilgrims will next travel nearby to a site known as Muzdalifa to collect pebbles that they will use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. Many walk, while others use buses.

Pilgrims then return to Mina for three days, coinciding with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday. Afterward, they return to Makkah for a final circumambulation, known as Farewell Tawaf.