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Emir of Qatar to Embark on State Visit to France to Discuss Gaza, Lebanon

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
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Emir of Qatar to Embark on State Visit to France to Discuss Gaza, Lebanon

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will kick off on Tuesday a two-day state visit to France where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement on Monday, the Elysee palace said the visit will be an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations in defense, security, investment and the economy.

They will also seek to bolster cultural relations and deepen cooperation in development.

Sheikh Tamim is traveling to France at the head of a large ministerial and economic delegation.

The statement also hailed the consultations between France and Qatar over regional and international affairs.

This will be Sheikh Tamim’s first state visit to France since he ascended the throne in 2013.

Sources at the Elysee said the developments in Gaza and the political deadlock in Lebanon will be one of the main focuses of the talks between Qatari and French officials.

The sources added that Paris recognizes Doha’s role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, releasing hostages held by Hamas and the “Islamic Jihad” and reaching a ceasefire in the conflict.

French sources said Paris is therefore keen on bolstering its relations with Qatar.

In addition, the crisis in Lebanon will also feature during Sheikh Tamim’s visit as Qatar and France are members of the Quintet on Lebanon that also includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United States.

The committee is helping Lebanon end the deadlock over the election of a new president, which is growing more pressing as tensions mount between Hezbollah and Israel along the southern border.

Observers in Paris have said France will urge Doha to continue to provide financial support to the Lebanese army, whose commander has visited Doha on a number of occasions and is understood to have good ties with its authorities.

France believes the army is a major player who can de-escalate the tensions and avert a full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel.

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Gulf

42,000 Iraqi Pilgrims Arrive in Makkah

Muslim pilgrims at the Grand Mosque complex, ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Muslim pilgrims at the Grand Mosque complex, ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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42,000 Iraqi Pilgrims Arrive in Makkah

Muslim pilgrims at the Grand Mosque complex, ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Muslim pilgrims at the Grand Mosque complex, ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Sami al-Masoudi, head of Iraq’s High Commission for Hajj and Umrah, said 42,000 Iraqi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, praising the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure pilgrims’ comfort through a wide range of services and facilities aimed at helping worshippers perform their rituals with ease.

Al-Masoudi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the arrival of Iraqi pilgrims came amid early and well-organized preparations following directives from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which called for readiness across all sectors, including accommodation, catering, services at the holy sites, and internal and external transportation, to guarantee pilgrims’ comfort and the smooth performance of rituals.

One of the most notable features of this year’s Hajj season for Iraqi pilgrims is the adoption of sacrificial offerings services through the electronic platform after they became managed under the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi, a step al-Masoudi described as “qualitative.”

“It reflects the level of development and organization within the Hajj system,” he said.

“Today, all contracts, including sacrificial offerings, are completed electronically, which has helped simplify procedures, reduce bureaucracy and improve the level of services provided to pilgrims,” he added.

The Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi is one of the initiatives of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.

The project aims to facilitate the performance of Hady and expiation rituals for pilgrims and enable Muslims worldwide to carry out sacrifices, charity donations and aqiqah on their behalf, while distributing the meat to eligible beneficiaries inside and outside the Kingdom.

Al-Masoudi also highlighted the major transformation and development projects supported by artificial intelligence technologies that Saudi Arabia has deployed to serve pilgrims.

“Year after year, we witness continuous progress and major efforts by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and supporting agencies in the Kingdom, especially in automation and digital transformation, which directly improve pilgrims’ comfort and the quality of services provided to them,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has consistently worked to improve services for pilgrims arriving from around the world through projects that are upgraded and expanded annually, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to serving pilgrims and Umrah performers, enhancing service quality and enriching their religious experience in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The first groups of Iraqi pilgrims began arriving in the Kingdom through the al-Haditha border crossing in al-Qurayyat and the Jadidat Arar crossing, where entry procedures were completed smoothly within minutes under an integrated service system designed to ease the burden of long-distance travel and provide a more comfortable and reassuring experience for pilgrims traveling by land to Makkah.

Expressions of gratitude were evident among Iraqi pilgrims, many of whom described the reception as “beyond expectations,” saying the welcome they received upon entering the Kingdom gave them a sense of comfort and reassurance even before reaching the holy sites.

Gulf

Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Readiness of Hajj Security Forces for Hajj Season

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Hajj Security Forces. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Hajj Security Forces. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Readiness of Hajj Security Forces for Hajj Season

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Hajj Security Forces. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Hajj Security Forces. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Hajj Security Forces to implement approved field and organizational plans for the 1447 AH Hajj season during the annual ceremony held by participating Hajj security forces in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Mohammed Al-Bassami said in a speech delivered on the occasion that the Saudi leadership has mobilized all resources and capabilities to serve pilgrims, making the Kingdom a leading global model in crowd management and in achieving the highest levels of organization and smooth movement. These efforts enable pilgrims to perform rituals in safety and tranquility.

He explained that the Hajj Security Forces have commenced implementing this season’s duties through integrated security and preventive plans built on lessons learned from previous years and designed to anticipate various scenarios and contingencies.

The plans aim to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims in Makkah, the holy sites, Madinah, and along all routes used by pilgrims.

Al-Bassami also stressed that authorities will firmly confront any attempt to politicize Hajj, disrupt pilgrims’ security, or disturb the performance of rituals. He underscored the full readiness of Hajj Security Forces to carry out approved plans.

The ceremony included several security and field simulations demonstrating the readiness and operational capabilities of participating forces. It also featured displays of security vehicles, modern technologies used during Hajj, and support from Security Aviation and field support vehicles.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Supreme Hajj Committee, security and military commanders, and several senior officials.

 

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Explosion near Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Explosion near Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Saudi Arabia condemned on Thursday the explosion that occurred near a building belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus, which resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to several civilians, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Saudi Arabia reiterates its firm stance against all forms of violence and expresses its condolences and solidarity with Syria, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.