Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Seek to Bolster Security, Defense Ties

Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit. (Pakistan's Ministry of Defense)
Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit. (Pakistan's Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Seek to Bolster Security, Defense Ties

Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit. (Pakistan's Ministry of Defense)
Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit. (Pakistan's Ministry of Defense)

Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day visit to put the finishing touches on bilateral defense projects, said the Pakistani Defense Ministry in a statement.

His trip is fresh off the heels of a two-day visit paid by a senior Saudi delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, to Islamabad on Monday.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf al-Malki told Asharq Al-Awsat that Prince Faisal’s visit was an extension of the “lasting relations with Pakistan.”

It underscored the depth of these ties and their constant development, he added.

The visit aimed to increase the trade exchange and support investors and expand their work in all sectors, he went on to say.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have increased their defense consultations and Al-Otaibi's visit will follow up on these talks.

The two countries have held four rounds of defense consultations in less than a month.

On March 20, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received Pakistan’s army commander Asim Munir.

Days later, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman paid an official visit to Pakistan.

Prince Khalid held talks with Pakistani officials, including the army commander. They tackled the strong relations between their countries and their strategic defense partnership and opportunities to develop it.

The third round of the defense talks took place this week when Prince Faisal met with Munir in Islamabad. They discussed the security and strategic cooperation between their countries and means to boost it in several fields.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy close military ties. They regularly carry out joint defense projects and have held defense maneuvers and drills.



Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its categorical rejection of the Israeli forces’ ongoing attacks against civilians and humanitarian and relief agencies.

It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards these violations against the Palestinian people.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers were briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

They reviewed the talks held by senior Saudi officials with their counterparts from different countries, at bilateral and multilateral levels, with the aim of strengthening ties, intensifying efforts to open up new horizons in various fields and achieve aspired goals, and bolstering efforts exerted to tackle global challenges.

The cabinet tackled the outcome of the second meeting of the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee, and the efforts to strengthen cultural, tourism, and economic partnerships between AlUla and Paris, in view of the special relations between their countries and commitment to developing ties in all sectors.

The cabinet commended the outcome of the second meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation, established under the Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council, which underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation on issues of common interest, particularly those related to economic development and international security and peace.

It reviewed the latest regional and international developments, focusing on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The cabinet reiterated its concern over extremist Israeli statements about imposing sovereignty over the West Bank, and the construction and expansion of settlements.

These actions undermine peace efforts, threaten regional security and stability, and are a blatant violation of international laws and relevant UN resolutions, it warned.

Domestically, the cabinet hailed the support lent by King Salman to the current Riyadh Economic Forum, saying that the recommendations of the 11th session of the forum can be expected to give further impetus to the national economy and bolster the private sector's role in the Kingdom's comprehensive development.

The cabinet recognized the success of the "Cityscape Global 2024" exhibition held in Riyadh, which aligns with national goals and offers promising prospects to the real estate sector. The value of the transactions concluded at the exhibition surpassed SAR230 billion, with sales from local and international developers exceeding SAR20 billion. The exhibition attracted over 172,000 visitors, underscoring the success of the Kingdom's efforts to position itself as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences.

Moreover, the cabinet praised the outcomes of the "Jeddah Declaration", issued during the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, commending the initiatives and mechanisms that bolster the global commitment to a multifaceted approach in tackling global health challenges and seeking solutions through research, development, and innovation.

The cabinet said the Fourth Edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, set for December 3-4, will be geared toward expediting efforts aimed at fostering a more sustainable future. The initiative has had concrete positive impacts on climate and environmental initiatives, helping boost the total capacity of renewable energy sources to over four gigawatts, planting about 95 million trees, and translocating 1,660 endangered animals across the Kingdom.