Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Firm Stance in Supporting Int’l Security and Stability

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Firm Stance in Supporting Int’l Security and Stability

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s firm and steadfast stances in support of efforts to establish security and stability in the region and the world.

It highlighted its contribution to responding to humanitarian calls and extending assistance to those in need and the affected around the world.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Jeddah.

The Cabinet was briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the message he received from Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.

The Cabinet also reviewed regional and international developments.

The Cabinet commended Saudi Arabia's progress in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, reaching 13th place globally and third among G20 countries, in addition to advancing across all main pillars and ranking in the top ten in 74 sub-indicators, reflecting the effectiveness of the Saudi model in competitiveness-related fields.

The Cabinet noted that the Kingdom’s retention of the top position in the Global Cybersecurity Index for the third consecutive year reflects its leadership in this critical sector. It attributed this achievement to the Kingdom’s progress at the local, regional, and international levels, as well as its efforts to support digital transformation, localize priority technologies, and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with countries and organizations around the world.

The Cabinet commended the achievements of the Health Sector Transformation Program in developing a more integrated and efficient healthcare ecosystem centered on improving the well-being of individuals.

The program has helped in expanding access to healthcare services, enhancing their quality, strengthening comprehensive medical care across all levels, increasing the number of healthy cities, and advancing preventive healthcare initiatives, while encouraging communities to adopt sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

The Cabinet reviewed the advanced performance of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program in 2025, stressing its pivotal role in driving non-oil economic growth. It has strengthened the appeal of strategic sectors, including industry, mining, and logistics, while contributing to higher levels of investment, export growth, and local content, in line with the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification objectives.



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.