Saudi FM Takes Part in GCC Ministerial Meetings with Türkiye, Yemen

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah takes part in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Yemen ministerial meeting in Doha on Sunday. (SPA)

16:48-9 June 2024 AD ـ 02 Thul-Hijjah 1445 AH

Saudi FM Takes Part in GCC Ministerial Meetings with Türkiye, Yemen

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah takes part in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Yemen ministerial meeting in Doha on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated in Doha on Sunday in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Yemen ministerial meeting, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The meeting tackled the latest developments in Yemen and the impact of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ attacks in the Red Sea on the regional and global economy.

The gatherers also reviewed international and UN efforts to resolve the Yemeni conflict.

The GCC reiterated its support for all initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, based on three key references: the GCC Initiative and its implementing mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

These frameworks are seen as essential for restoring security and stability in Yemen, it stressed.

Prince Faisal also took part in the sixth ministerial meeting of the GCC-Türkiye Strategic Dialogue, chaired by the Qatari PM.

Discussions covered a range of issues, most notably the joint action plan and ways to boost cooperation in all fields between the GCC and Türkiye.

Prince Faisal also participated in the 160th GCC Ministerial Council meeting, which was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed.

Officials reviewed progress achieved in joint Gulf action.

They also addressed the latest regional and international developments, notably the conflict in Gaza and Rafah city.

They underscored the need for an immediate ceasefire and ensuring the security of relief corridors to deliver humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.

Gulf

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

The UAE air defenses on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The agency said that, since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs.

A WAM statement said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the death of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as nine civilian fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.

A total of 190 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian and Indian.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that preserves its sovereignty and stability and protects its interests and national capabilities.