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Makkah to Host Gulf Ministerial Meeting with Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Jordan

The meeting of the Gulf Ministerial Council in Kuwait on December 26 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The meeting of the Gulf Ministerial Council in Kuwait on December 26 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Makkah to Host Gulf Ministerial Meeting with Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Jordan

The meeting of the Gulf Ministerial Council in Kuwait on December 26 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The meeting of the Gulf Ministerial Council in Kuwait on December 26 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Makkah is set to host a high-level ministerial meeting at the end of the first week of Ramadan, bringing together the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan, to address key regional developments, particularly the situation in Gaza and Syria.

Scheduled for March 6, the meeting will coincide with the 163rd session of the GCC Ministerial Council. It follows the emergency Arab summit in Egypt on March 4, which will focus on the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza, in the wake of a plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump regarding the future of the Palestinian territory.

The discussions will primarily focus on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, as well as Syria’s political landscape. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Syria, viewing them as repeated violations of international law that threaten regional stability. They have also reaffirmed their solidarity with Syria, emphasizing the need for the international community to prevent further escalation.

On December 26, the GCC foreign ministers convened in Kuwait to discuss Syria’s situation. They underlined the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting foreign intervention, and combating terrorism and extremism. The council also reiterated support for a political transition that ensures stability and development for the Syrian people.

Saudi Arabia hosted on February 2 Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss security, stability, and Syria’s reintegration into the Arab diplomatic sphere.

Gulf nations have also increased engagement with Damascus, with Saudi and Qatari delegations visiting Syria, and UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan holding discussions with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani.

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Gulf

Algeria Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Algeria Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Algeria expressed its strong condemnation of the drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia, affirming its full solidarity with the Kingdom in confronting anything that threatens its security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported Tuesday.

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs described the attack as a blatant threat to the Kingdom’s security and stability, and a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and international law.

Algeria also reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its security and preserve its stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Coordinate Efforts to Tackle Regional Developments

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receiving Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a previous meeting in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receiving Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a previous meeting in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Coordinate Efforts to Tackle Regional Developments

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receiving Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a previous meeting in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receiving Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a previous meeting in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during which the two officials discussed the latest regional developments and ways to enhance coordination and consultation in response to them.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the call addressed regional developments and the joint efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability within the framework of ongoing coordination between Riyadh and Kuwait on issues of mutual concern.

Gulf states continue their diplomatic engagement to closely monitor regional security and political developments and strengthen joint coordination in confronting shared challenges.

Gulf

Holy Sites Transform into Giant Smart Cities during Hajj Season

Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services. (SPA)
Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services. (SPA)
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Holy Sites Transform into Giant Smart Cities during Hajj Season

Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services. (SPA)
Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services. (SPA)

Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.

Behind the scenes, an around-the-clock infrastructure system operated by government and service agencies manages crowds, ensures smooth mobility, and maintains high standards of safety and comfort for pilgrims, before the sites return to their usual calm following the end of Hajj rituals.

Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, continues to implement infrastructure and operational projects to enhance services and ensure sustainable performance throughout the Hajj season.

Projects include cooling and shading the area surrounding Jabal Al-Rahmah (Mount Arafat) across more than 392,000 square meters, increasing the number of benefiting pilgrims fivefold compared with last year.

In healthcare, Kidana doubled bed capacity compared to last year by expanding Mina Emergency Hospital to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve medical services during Hajj.

Pedestrian routes across the holy sites were also upgraded through a 103,000-square-meter shading project, while more than 66,000 square meters of rest areas were developed along walking paths to improve pilgrim comfort.

As part of the Green Holy Sites initiative, more than 60,000 trees were planted, tripling the amount of green space.

The company also replaced mist spray columns with 400 misting fans at the Jamarat facility, increasing cooling capacity to serve around 360,000 pilgrims per hour, double last year’s level.

A project aimed at humanizing the Holy Sites also enhanced the visual environment in Muzdalifah, thereby improving the urban landscape.

Additionally, infrastructure projects focused on enriching the pilgrim experience and easing mobility.

Some 74 escalators were installed to connect Mina's hillside camps, helping improve crowd movement and access to accommodations.

To expand accommodation capacity in Mina, Kidana implemented the Kidana Al-Khayf tent project near the Jamarat complex across 24,000 square meters, alongside the Rabiah Kidana lodging project spanning more than 33,000 square meters.

The company also upgraded sanitation services through 516 facilities and nearly 17,000 toilets, reducing waiting times by 75% while maintaining pilgrim accommodation capacity.

Across Muzdalifah and Arafat, more than 6,900 toilets were added through 411 sanitation complexes, bringing the total number of restroom facilities in the holy sites to more than 115,000.

Kidana is also upgrading the technical and service infrastructure in pilgrim camps through enhanced fire safety and cooling networks, expanded power systems, and projects to improve operational safety and field services.

The integrated operational model highlights Saudi Arabia’s capability to manage one of the world’s most complex seasonal environments using advanced digital technologies and smart systems, turning the Holy Sites into a fully functioning modern city that emerges briefly each year to serve millions of pilgrims from around the world.