Aoun: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Foreign Visit, Reflecting its Historic Support to Lebanon

 Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
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Aoun: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Foreign Visit, Reflecting its Historic Support to Lebanon

 Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. (Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, congratulating him on his election on Thursday.

He conveyed the congratulations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and wished Aoun and the brotherly people of Lebanon further progress.

Crown Prince Mohammed also invited Aoun to visit the Kingdom.

For his part, the president expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s support to Lebanon and its people.

Aoun confirmed that Saudi Arabia will be the destination of his first official foreign visit, saying it “reflects his belief in the Kingdom’s historic role in supporting and standing by Lebanon.”

“Ties with the Kingdom are also the foundation of Lebanon’s ties with the region,” he added.



GCC: Attacks on Makkah a Serious Escalation Threatening Regional Stability

Parts of the intercepted missiles fell in Wadi Al-Mughammas in Makkah. (SPA)
Parts of the intercepted missiles fell in Wadi Al-Mughammas in Makkah. (SPA)
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GCC: Attacks on Makkah a Serious Escalation Threatening Regional Stability

Parts of the intercepted missiles fell in Wadi Al-Mughammas in Makkah. (SPA)
Parts of the intercepted missiles fell in Wadi Al-Mughammas in Makkah. (SPA)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi on Sunday strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing any threat to Makkah as a serious escalation that jeopardizes regional security and stability.

His remarks followed the interception of two ballistic missiles, debris from which fell in Wadi al-Mughammas in the Makkah region. Shrapnel from the interceptions also fell in parts of Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh, according to the report.

Albudaiwi said the attacks demonstrated disregard for civilian lives and safety, stressing that Saudi Arabia’s security was integral to the security of all GCC member states.

He added that GCC member states stand united with Saudi Arabia in confronting the attacks and supported measures taken by the kingdom to protect its territory and safeguard the security of citizens and residents.

He praised the efficiency and vigilance of Saudi air defenses in intercepting the Houthi attacks and called on the international community to take a firm stance and effective measures to put an end to them.


Saudi Foreign Minister, Greek Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Greek Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, during which they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, the Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday.

The call also addressed efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries and reviewed issues of mutual interest.


Coalition: Air Defenses Destroy Ballistic Missile Launched by Houthis Toward Riyadh

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: Air Defenses Destroy Ballistic Missile Launched by Houthis Toward Riyadh

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Sunday that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Riyadh.

A drone was also intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh Region, he added.

The interceptions were preceded by an early warning from the Saudi Civil Defense.