Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support to Gaza Ceasefire, Return of Displaced

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the government meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the government meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support to Gaza Ceasefire, Return of Displaced

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the government meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the government meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its support for efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the return of the displaced back to their homes.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the government meeting that was held in Riyadh.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the Cabinet on his separate meetings with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his telephone call with European Council President Antonio Costa.

The cabinet discussed the latest developments in cooperation between the Kingdom and other countries and international organizations. It reviewed progress on collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening communication and coordination, contributing to global security and stability, and fostering an environment conducive to regional development and prosperity for all its people.

It hailed the outcomes of the second meeting of the Saudi-Japanese strategic dialogue, which demonstrated the strength of bilateral relations and the shared commitment to advancing it to new heights across various sectors to serve the interests of their peoples.

Moreover, the cabinet deemed the Kingdom's hosting of the Interpol Regional Bureau as a significant step that will boost Interpol’s operational effectiveness in the Middle East and North Africa region, underscoring the international recognition of the Kingdom's pivotal role in combating extremism, terrorism, and crime in all their forms.

The ministers reviewed regional and global developments, emphasizing the statement issued by the Arab Six-Party meeting on Palestine, in which the Kingdom took part, which renewed support for sustaining the ceasefire agreement, ensuring the delivery of increased humanitarian and relief aid, and facilitating the safe return of displaced civilians to their homes in the Gaza Strip.

The cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the economic gatherings held in Riyadh recently, commending the successful conclusion of the Global Labor Market Conference. Seventy agreements and memoranda of understanding between government agencies and private companies were signed to benefit over 300,000 individuals, aiming to empower national cadres and increase their participation in development, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The cabinet highlighted the significant international participation at the fourth Real Estate Future Forum, which saw the signing of numerous agreements and deals that are expected to contribute to the sector's development and facilitate the realization of its future potential, ultimately boosting Saudi Arabia’s position as a globally attractive destination for real estate investment.



Saudi Arabia Denounces Attacks Targeting Military, Civilian Areas in Mali

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Denounces Attacks Targeting Military, Civilian Areas in Mali

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the terrorist and separatist attacks that took place in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and other cities, targeting both military and civilian areas.

The Kingdom extended its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those affected. It also reaffirmed its solidarity with Mali, its government and people.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of violence and extremism, and supported Mali’s efforts to safeguard its security and protect its citizens.


Saudi Arabia: $26,600 Fine for Issuing Visit Visas to Individuals Attempting to Perform Hajj

Saudi Arabia is keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment (Photo: Mohammed Al-Mana)
Saudi Arabia is keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment (Photo: Mohammed Al-Mana)
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Saudi Arabia: $26,600 Fine for Issuing Visit Visas to Individuals Attempting to Perform Hajj

Saudi Arabia is keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment (Photo: Mohammed Al-Mana)
Saudi Arabia is keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment (Photo: Mohammed Al-Mana)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced that a fine of up to SAR100,000 ($26,600) will be imposed on anyone who applies for any type of visit visa on behalf of individuals who perform, or attempt to perform, Hajj without a permit, or who enter or stay in Makkah and the holy sites.

The fine will be multiplied according to the number of individuals for whom visit visas were issued and who violate these regulations, the ministry said on Saturday.

It urged upon everyone to adhere to the regulations of the Hajj season and to cooperate with the competent authorities in ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims, affirming that any violation of these instructions will subject the offenders to legal penalties.

It also encouraged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also underscored that strict adherence to official Hajj permits is a fundamental requirement for ensuring the security and safety of all pilgrims.

The ministry explained that the permit system is a critical component of crowd management and the balanced distribution of pilgrims across the holy sites. This structure ensures that field services are fully prepared to meet the needs of specific Hajj campaigns at the correct times and locations.

The ministry cautioned that violating these regulations not only exposes offenders to legal penalties but also compromises the security of the broader pilgrimage population and the efficiency of the service infrastructure.


Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)
Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan. (NNA)

Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan renewed on Friday the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s internal stability, and commitment to the Taif Accords.

The Kingdom will exert all possible diplomatic efforts to save Lebanon and its people, he was quoted as saying by Lebanese MPs who met him in Beirut.

MP Fouad Makhzoumi wrote on X that he had a “fruitful” meeting with Prince Yazid bin Farhan that was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari.

“We expressed our deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the United States, on their significant role in supporting Lebanon’s stability and efforts to restore calm and end hostilities,” he added in reference to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He hailed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the need to limit the possession of weapons to the state’s legitimate authorities.

The members of the National Moderation bloc also met with Prince Yazid bin Farhan, saying that talks focused on the situation in Lebanon and the region, especially the US-led negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

A statement from the bloc, said the Saudi envoy expressed the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s internal stability and commitment to the Taif Accords.

He urged the need to steer clear of rhetoric that would fuel internal divisions or harm civil peace.

The bloc is comprised of MPs Mohammed Suleiman, Ahmed al-Kheir, Sajih Attieh, Abdulaziz al-Samad and its Secretary Hadi Hbeish.

The National Consensus bloc of MP Faisal Karami also met with the Saudi envoy for talks on the latest local and regional developments.