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Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Security Leaders in Makkah Region

The Saudi Minister of Interior has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region. SPA
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Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Security Leaders in Makkah Region

The Saudi Minister of Interior has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Interior has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region. SPA

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Makkah's security leaders and the personnel within their respective sectors.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud commended the Makkah security personnel for their efforts in enhancing the safety and security of pilgrims, citizens, residents, and visitors. He stressed the importance of this work, especially with the growing numbers of Hajj and Umrah performers in Makkah and the significant increase in tourists across Saudi Arabia.

Prince Abdulaziz was briefed on the Makkah security sectors' key achievements and their efforts to execute security tasks with professionalism, efficiency, and full integration with other government and service entities.

Also Wednesday, the Minister visited the Makkah Route Initiative’s hall at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah, accompanied by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz.

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud was briefed on the key achievements of the Makkah Route Initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under the Saudi Vision 2030.

The initiative provides the highest level of service and convenience for pilgrims by completing their entry procedures into the Kingdom at airports in their home countries and transferring them directly upon arrival to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah.

Since its launch, the initiative has served over one million beneficiaries and has expanded to include 12 airports across 8 countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Türkiye, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Maldives.

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Gulf

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.

Gulf

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.

Gulf

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.