Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump chaired in Riyadh on Tuesday the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

The leaders then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement. They also oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields. They include:

A memorandum of understanding for energy cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and US Department of Energy, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

A memorandum of intent for the modernization and development of the capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces through future defense capabilities between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at the Saudi-US investment forum later, Crown Prince Mohammed said: “What we have signed today is part of larger ambition.”

“We hope to continue to build with you President Trump,” he added to the US leader who was among the guests. “We hope for $600 billion investments opportunities and hopefully raised to $1 trillion.”

Also announced were the following agreements:

A memorandum of cooperation in the field of mining and mineral resources between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and US Department of Energy.

A letter of intent to complete work and enhance joint cooperation on ammunition, training, support services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts, and education for the Saudi Ministry of the National Guard's land and air systems.

A memorandum of understanding between the International Partnership Program of the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US Department of Justice.

A letter of intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense regarding the development of the health capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces.

A memorandum of understanding for judicial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice.

An executive agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and NASA for cooperation on the Space Weather CubeSat on the Artemis II Mission.

A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.

A Protocol of Amendment to the Saudi Arabia-US Air Transport Agreement.

A memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi National Institute of Health Research and US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the field of medical research on infectious diseases.

A collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

A ‏collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Museum of Asian Art.

Prior to the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed had welcomed Trump at the Royal Court in the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

An official reception ceremony was held, featuring an Arabian horse escort for the presidential motorcade, a trumpet fanfare, as well as the rendition of the American and Saudi national anthems.

Following the ceremony, the Crown Prince escorted the president to the main reception hall, where both leaders enjoyed traditional Saudi coffee and exchanged greetings with members of each other’s delegations.

The Crown Prince then hosted an official luncheon in honor of Trump.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He will later visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.



Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Tuesday its disappointment in the United Arab Emirates for pressuring the Southern Transitional Council to carry out military operations on the Kingdom's southern borders in Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, which it deemed a threat to its national security and the security and stability of Yemen and the region.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said: "The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous, inconsistent with the principles upon which the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve the coalition's purpose of achieving security and stability for Yemen."

"The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat," it declared.

It underscored "its commitment to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Yemen, and affirms its full support to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government."

"The Kingdom reaffirms that the Southern cause is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions, and that the only path to resolve it is through dialogue within a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and among all Yemeni parties including the Southern Transitional Council."

"The Kingdom stresses the importance that the brotherly UAE accept Yemen's request for all its forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, and halt any military or financial support to any party within Yemen."

"With this regard, the Kingdom hopes that wisdom, the principles of brotherhood, good neighborliness, strong ties among countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the interest of brotherly Yemen, will prevail," it said.

"The Kingdom also hopes that the brotherly UAE will take the necessary steps to preserve bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, which the Kingdom is keen on strengthening, and continue joint efforts towards all that leads to the wellbeing, prosperity and stability of countries in the region."


Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
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Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)

The Joint Forces Command of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen announced that it had carried out a "limited" airstrike targeting a military shipment that had arrived in Yemen's Al-Mukalla port.

In a statement, coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the forces detected on Saturday and Sunday the arrival of two vessels from the Port of Fujairah to Mukalla without obtaining any permits from the Joint Forces Command.

"The crew had disabled the tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates in eastern Yemen," it added.

It described the actions as "flagrant violations" of peace efforts and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.

In response to a request of the president of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen that the coalition "take all necessary military measures to safeguard civilians in Hadhramaut and Mahra and considering that the aforementioned weapons are an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability," the Coalition Air Force conducted on Tuesday a limited airstrike targeting the weapons and military vehicles offloaded in Mukalla.

"The airstrike took place following close surveillance and documentation of the cargo, and was conducted in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law, and in a manner that guarantees no collateral damage."

"The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue its de-escalation and pacification in Hadhramaut and Mahra, and will maintain its blocking of any and all military support from whichever country that does so without coordinating with the legitimate Yemeni Government and the coalition, in order to ensure the success of Saudi Arabia and coalition’s efforts to achieve security and stability, and prevent further expansion of the conflict."


Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi on Monday at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait.

Albudaiwi presented a comprehensive report to Sheikh Sabah regarding Kuwait’s presidency of the 45th session of the GCC Supreme Council, and expressed his appreciation for the generous support and steadfast commitment Kuwait provides to the GCC's journey, SPA reported.

He underscored that such support serves as a powerful catalyst for continued efforts toward achieving greater integration and cooperation, ultimately fostering prosperity and well-being for the GCC member states and their peoples.