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OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
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OIC: Riyadh Summit Holds Strategic Value, Reflects Saudi Commitment

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Asharq Al-Awsat

The preparatory ministerial meeting for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit will begin Sunday in Riyadh.

Convened by Saudi Arabia, the summit aims to address the ongoing Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories, as well as regional developments and coordination among member states.

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the summit underscores Saudi Arabia’s and other member states' strong commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.

The OIC chief said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, formed at the last summit, has made progress internationally by pushing for wider recognition of Palestine and securing UN resolutions to condemn and stop Israeli aggression.

Taha warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict, citing Israel's escalating actions and increased military strikes on Lebanon and other areas.

He highlighted the strategic importance of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s and member states’ unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

Taha added that the summit highlights the need for joint Islamic action to strengthen unity and solidarity, enabling member states to speak with one voice globally.

This unified stance, he said, seeks to push the international community to stop Israeli aggression, deliver aid to Gaza, hold Israel accountable, and support a two-state solution.

Taha said the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, established at the previous Riyadh summit, has successfully expanded international recognition of Palestine, with ongoing efforts to rally support to end Israeli aggression.

“The organization is actively pursuing political, legal, humanitarian, and media initiatives to carry out the summit's resolution on Israeli aggression against Palestinians, including coordinating member states' positions and actions,” he explained.

Taha added that the committee’s diplomatic efforts have pushed for greater recognition of Palestine and pressured the UN to adopt resolutions condemning Israeli actions and calling for an end to hostilities.

The Secretary-General stressed that diplomatic efforts remain focused on ending Israeli aggression, supporting Palestine’s full UN membership, and advancing a two-state solution.

On the humanitarian side, member states have provided aid to Gaza, supported UNRWA, and assisted the Palestinian government to help alleviate Palestinian suffering.

The Secretary-General of the OIC said the organization is actively pursuing legal action at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to defend Palestinian rights, hold Israel accountable for its crimes, and push for an end to Israeli aggression and its illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

He added that the legal observatory, set up after the previous summit, is documenting Israeli crimes to support future cases against Israel in international courts.

Taha also noted that the organization is working on media efforts to expose Israeli violations through its media observatory, which tracks Israeli crimes against Palestinians and was established as part of the previous Riyadh summit’s decisions.

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Gulf

Erdogan: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Eye Joint Investment in KAAN Fighter Jet

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
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Erdogan: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Eye Joint Investment in KAAN Fighter Jet

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said work has begun on a defense cooperation agreement between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia that includes joint investment in the production of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet.

Erdogan said Türkiye’s progress in defense industries is being closely followed by Saudi Arabia, as well as by other countries, adding that Ankara is preparing to conclude significant agreements with Riyadh in this field.

Speaking to a group of Turkish journalists on his return from a regional tour that included Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with his remarks published on Thursday, Erdogan said: “We have received many positive comments on the Turkish fighter KAAN, and discussions are under way on joint investment with Saudi Arabia in this regard.”

He stressed that KAAN is not merely a combat aircraft but a symbol of Türkiye’s engineering capabilities and its determination to maintain an independent defense posture. He added that cooperation with Saudi Arabia in this area is likely to expand, including through joint investments.

In February 2024, Türkiye announced the successful first flight of its domestically produced fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries. With this milestone, Türkiye became one of only five countries capable of producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft and aims to export the jet.

KAAN is designed to carry out air-to-air combat missions and conduct precision strikes from internal weapons bays at supersonic speed.

Erdogan said he held “highly productive” talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Riyadh on Tuesday, noting that Saudi Arabia holds a special place for Türkiye in defense industries, transport, healthcare, investment, and construction services. Bilateral trade reached $8 billion in 2025, while Turkish contractors have completed more than 400 projects in the Kingdom worth a total of $30 billion.

He added that Saudi Arabia and Türkiye share aligned views on regional issues, stressing that both countries oppose any new war in the region and favor peace, stability, and calm, which he said would benefit all parties.

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Letter from Maldives President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Letter from Maldives President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a letter from Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on bilateral relations between their countries.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received the letter on Thursday during a meeting with Maldives Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Sareer at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Discussions during the meeting addressed bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest.

Gulf

Albudaiwi: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" tactical exercise serves to bolster Gulf security integration and embodies the unity and shared destiny of member states.

The statement was made Wednesday during Albudaiwi’s participation in the closing day of the exercise, held in Qatar. The event was attended by Qatari Interior Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with the GCC Ministers of Interior.

"This fourth edition of the drill, conducted by the GCC Ministries of Interior with the participation of specialized units from the friendly United States of America, is of paramount importance in supporting the collective Gulf security framework," the secretary-general said.

He stressed its role in enhancing coordination and integration among the respective ministries and elevating joint readiness and response to security challenges, thereby contributing to the consolidation of security and stability across the GCC.

He further highlighted that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" exercise reflects a mutual commitment to advancing security operational mechanisms, exchanging expertise and best practices, as well as unifying efforts to counter transnational risks and threats. He pointed out that such maneuvers constitute a fundamental pillar for strengthening institutional integration and security cooperation pathways among member states.

The secretary-general expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Interior of Qatar in hosting and organizing the exercise, noting that the extensive resources and capabilities provided were instrumental to its success.

Closing his remarks, he voiced his aspiration that the exercise achieves its strategic objectives, fulfilling the visions of leaders of the GCC states, and ensuring sustained security and stability for the peoples of the GCC.