Saudi FM Chairs Meeting of Ministerial Committee on Developments in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chairs the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chairs the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Chairs Meeting of Ministerial Committee on Developments in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chairs the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chairs the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah chaired in Riyadh on Sunday the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip.

The meeting discussed the mechanisms of intensifying joint Arab and Islamic work to reach an immediate end to the war on Gaza and ensure the protection of civilians by international humanitarian law.

It stressed the need to continue efforts aimed at international recognition of an independent Palestinian state to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people and sustainable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of the enclave.

The meeting discussed working on taking the necessary steps to implement the two-state solution and recognize the State of Palestine according to the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

It stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories. The gatherers expressed their categorical rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people outside their land and any military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah.

The ministers stressed the need for the international community to impose effective sanctions on Israel, including stopping the export of weapons to it, in response to its violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and the war crimes it is committing in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The ministers also underlined the need to activate international legal tools to hold Israel responsible for these crimes. They also called for an end to Israeli settler terrorism.

Moreover, they voiced their concern over the measures taken against peaceful demonstrators in Western countries that are demanding an end to the war in Gaza and condemning the Israeli crimes and violations against the Palestinians.

The meeting was attended by committee members Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ayman Al Safadi, Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hussein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein Al Sheikh, and Minister of State at Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.



Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply:

First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

Fourth, the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.