Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Continued International Efforts to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Continued International Efforts to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday that reaffirmed support for the outcomes of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, underscoring the importance of continued international collaboration and concrete measures to combat cross-border terrorism, which poses a direct threat to the security and stability of societies.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the recent phone conversation between Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also reviewed the discussions held by the Crown Prince with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz during their official visits to the Kingdom.

The Cabinet praised the positive outcomes of these visits, which underscored the strength of bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to furthering them at all levels.

It also lauded the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed with Türkiye, as well as those between the public and private sectors in the Kingdom and Germany, which aim to expand cooperation and coordination across various sectors, advancing shared interests and supporting development priorities.

In a statement to SPA following the session, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet for the Shura Counil's Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Issam bin Saeed said the Cabinet reviewed the latest regional developments and the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to engage with the international community in supporting regional security and stability. It called for adherence to the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, its full implementation, and progress toward a political solution leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The Cabinet praised the efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, including the visit of a Saudi delegation to Damascus to launch strategic projects and contracts in the aviation, communications, water, industry, and education sectors, which will contribute to enhancing infrastructure and advancing economic growth in Syria.

It commended the outcomes of the second edition of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies 2026, organized by the Kingdom in partnership with the International Monetary Fund, aimed at consolidating international cooperation, promoting economic and financial reforms, and enabling emerging economies to address global changes in a way that achieves inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Cabinet also regarded the Kingdom’s election to the presidency of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors for the 2027–2028 term as confirmation of its commitment to supporting cooperation with international organizations at various levels and strengthening leadership in this field.



Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal order promoting and appointing 34 judges at the Board of Grievances.

President of the Board of Grievances and Chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ohaydib said the administrative judiciary enjoys the support of King Salman and the attention and follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This is reflected in the royal order, which supports the Board of Grievances, motivates its judges and personnel, and advances the administrative judiciary, he added.


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.