Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership Between the 2 Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
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Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership Between the 2 Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump discussed ways for more cooperation between Riyadh and Washington and expanding their partnership.

During a phone conversation on Wednesday evening, the Crown Prince conveyed the congratulations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his own congratulations to the President on the occasion of his inauguration, and wished the friendly American people more progress and prosperity under Trump’s leadership.

The two leaders discussed ways for cooperation between the Kingdom and the US to promote peace, security and stability in the Middle East, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.

The leaders also discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties in various areas, and the Crown Prince noted the US administration’s ability to create unprecedented economic prosperity and opportunity through anticipated reforms in the United States, and that the Kingdom seeks to participate in these opportunities for partnership and investment.

The Crown Prince affirmed Saudi Arabia's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the US over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that.

The President expressed his appreciation and thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their congratulations, and affirmed his keenness to work with the Kingdom on all that falls in the interest of both countries.



Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, met on Wednesday in Jeddah with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to review bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussions focused on existing areas of cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen and expand collaboration across various sectors.

The Crown Prince commended the prime minister's efforts in supporting Pakistan’s development and advancing the Saudi–Pakistani strategic partnership.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international developments, specifically focusing on the talks between the United States and Iran hosted by Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war that has swept the Middle East leading to a fragile temporary ceasefire and an initial round of talks in Islamabad.

The Crown Prince praised the diplomatic efforts of both Prime Minister Sharif and Chief of the Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; and Minister of State and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar was in attendance.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share strong ties, reinforced by a strategic agreement that treats an external attack on one as an attack on both.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised Saudi Arabia for its “notable restraint” amid the ongoing hostilities and stressed the urgent need for de-escalation.

On March 9, the Saudi Crown Prince and Pakistan’s prime minister held a closed-door meeting, where Sharif expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and both sides agreed to promote regional peace and stability.


GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed during a working session before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) that Gulf–European relations are more important than ever amid current regional and international challenges, and called for elevating them from consultation to a more practical partnership, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi, who is holding a series of meetings with senior officials in Brussels, explained that recent security developments in the region, along with threats to maritime routes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that Gulf stability is not merely a regional matter, but a fundamental element of global stability.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure under international law, particularly UNCLOS (1982).

He also praised the EU’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states and its efforts to contain escalation through urgent diplomatic engagement.


Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.