Saudi Arabia Underscores Centrality of Palestinian Cause

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting held in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting held in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Underscores Centrality of Palestinian Cause

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

The Saudi government underscored on Tuesday the centrality of the Palestinian cause, reiterating its firm rejection of extremist Israeli statements on the displacement of the Palestinian people.

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

The ministers stressed that lasting peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can only be achieved through the acceptance of peaceful coexistence based on a two-state solution.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the ministers on the telephone calls he held with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the cabinet reviewed updates on the work of several joint committees between Saudi Arabia and other countries. It highlighted key initiatives to strengthen cooperation and friendship, expand relations and achieve mutual interests and benefits across various fields.

The cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom’s leading role in multilateral organizations and their affiliated bodies, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s election as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA).

The election is a testament to the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts and global standing, it remarked.

On the domestic level, the cabinet discussed the Kingdom’s comprehensive developmental momentum to empower promising and emerging sectors. It welcomed the launch of the King Salman Automotive Cluster, which is expected to support economic diversification efforts, enhance non-oil GDP, and advance the goals of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.

The cabinet praised the completion of the Fiscal Sustainability Program’s executive plan and its contributions to boosting spending efficiency, increasing revenues, and strengthening planning capabilities. The program also prepares public finances for structural changes and economic reforms linked to Saudi Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s financial position and economic resilience.

The cabinet praised the Kingdom’s top ranking among G20 countries in the Security Index, deeming it a reflection of its leading position in security, prosperity and stability.



Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.


Saudi Embassy: Closely Monitoring Condition of Saudi Citizen Stabbed in Mayfair

Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Embassy: Closely Monitoring Condition of Saudi Citizen Stabbed in Mayfair

Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Embassy in London (File photo, Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom said Friday that it is closely monitoring the condition of a Saudi citizen who was stabbed in the Mayfair area, adding that it is coordinating with the relevant authorities and working to provide him with the necessary care and support until he is discharged from the hospital safely.

In a statement posted on its X account, the embassy said it was following up with the relevant security authorities on the circumstances of the incident.

It stressed the importance of expediting the investigation, uncovering all the details of the incident, holding those responsible accountable under the law, and taking the necessary measures to enhance the safety of citizens and visitors in public areas.

The embassy urged Saudi men and women to exercise caution and avoid carrying valuable belongings in public places. It also called on citizens to immediately contact the Saudi Affairs emergency hotline at 00447799519495 in case of an emergency.