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Saudi Arabia Hosts Islamic Military Coalition, Announces $26.6 Mn to Support Initiatives

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Hosts Islamic Military Coalition, Announces $26.6 Mn to Support Initiatives

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called for a unified stance to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will contribute $26.6 million to support initiatives financing the fund of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), announced Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Saturday.
Prince Khalid, who also serves as chairman of the coalition’s Council of Defense Ministers, also declared that the Kingdom would support 46 training programs as part of the Coalition's four ideological domains, including its media, military, and anti-terrorism financing fields.
The announcement came within the Minister's address at the second meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the IMCTC member states in Riyadh under the theme "Combating Terrorism: A Shared Responsibility."
The Minister inaugurated the second meeting of the Council, stressing that the presence of the defense ministers of the Islamic Alliance is only an extension of the first meeting that was held earlier.
He reiterated the role of the message of Islamic religion in combating extremism and terrorism to achieve global security and peace.
Prince Khalid pointed out that the aspirations of the IMCTC require concerted efforts, in addition to integration, cooperation, and partnership between member states, various countries of the world, and international bodies.
- Condemning the Israeli aggression
Prince Khalid stressed that the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people requires a unified stance by the member states of the Coalition to condemn Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
He asserted the need to stop this aggression immediately following the decisions of the extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023.
During the meeting, IMCTC Sec-Gen Major General Pilot Staff Mohammed al-Moghedi gave a briefing on the methodology of the Coalition, followed by a presentation of the initiatives of donor countries and supporting countries.
Moghedi announced the final statement, in which the member states expressed their support for the emphasis conveyed in the speech of the Saudi Defense Minister on the importance of a unified stance among member states in condemning the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The defense ministers emphasized their countries' determination to enhance cooperation, coordinate efforts, and unite them to avert terrorism risks.
They stressed the importance of joint collective action to confront all forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism.
They also expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved in the Coalition's journey, confirming their commitment to fight terrorism and eliminate it through organized collective action and comprehensive planning.
- Multiple initiatives
The defense ministers reviewed the alliance's 2023 annual report and its operational and financial performance report.
Saudi Arabia's operational expenses of the Coalition exceeded more than $266 million.
The defense ministers were briefed on the Coalition's methodology and the initiatives it encompasses, designed based on the needs of the member states.
The final statement recognized the importance of activating the initiatives aimed at combating terrorism in its various aspects.
The attendees agreed to launch a fund for financing the Coalition's initiatives, which is dedicated to receiving financial contributions from the member states, supporting countries, and international bodies and organizations.
They also welcomed countries desiring to join the Coalition in the future.
Coalition Advisor Major General Abdullah al-Qahtani confirmed that the meeting is crucial, whether at the level of its representation or outcomes.
Qahtani reiterated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the most essential element is the Coalition's determination to combat terrorism worldwide.
- Bilateral meetings
On the sidelines of the conference, the Saudi Defense Minister held bilateral meetings with several defense ministers from Islamic countries.
Prince Khalid received Kuwait's Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah, and the accompanying delegation.
He also met with Libya's Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibe.
The Saudi Minister also held bilateral meetings with Djibouti's Minister of Defense in charge of relations with Parliament Hassan Omar Mohamed Burhan, Sudan's Minister of Defense Major General Yassin Ibrahim Abdel-Hadi, and Mauritania's Minister of Defense Hanana Ould Sidi,
They reviewed the meeting's agenda topics, defense and military cooperation, and several issues of common interest.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.