Saudi Govt: Makkah Defense Agreement Strengthens Islamic Solidarity, Advances Common Interests

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 Govt: Makkah Defense Agreement Strengthens Islamic Solidarity, Advances Common Interests

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 hailed on Tuesday the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement for reaffirming “the deep-rooted historical ties” between the Kingdom, Türkiye and Pakistan.

It also underscored their “shared commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity while advancing their common strategic interests.”

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

King Salman expressed his gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for their successful and blessed efforts in convening the summit last week.

King Salman praised the outcomes of the tripartite summit in establishing a framework for a long-term defense partnership that will contribute to strengthening joint cooperation, coordination, and integration between the Kingdom, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

It will help in continuing efforts to address regional challenges and preserve international security and stability in a manner that supports the aspirations of the peoples of the region and the wider international community for a more prosperous and flourishing future.

The Cabinet was then briefed on the message received by King Salman from President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as the phone calls between Crown Prince Mohammed and French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments and Saudi Arabia’s efforts, through communication and coordination with brotherly and friendly countries, to support de-escalation in the region, advance diplomatic solutions, and strengthen all initiatives that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and ensure the security of waterways in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb as they are fundamental pillars of global economic stability.

The Cabinet welcomed the United Nations Security Council statement condemning the attacks and criminal acts committed by the terrorist Houthi militias in Yemen that threaten regional security and freedom of maritime navigation.

It reiterated Saudi Arabia's right to defend its security and resources and its unwavering support for the legitimate Yemeni government and UN-led efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen.

The Cabinet commended the steps taken at the Ministerial Meeting in Support of Jerusalem and its Holy Sites in Amman, reaffirming its categorical rejection of all attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem or undermine its identity.

It called on the international community to halt Israeli violations in Gaza and the West Bank, protect holy sites, and support the Palestinian people.

The Cabinet noted Riyadh's hosting of the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in September, saying it reflects the Kingdom's commitment to multi-party global dialogue on emerging technologies and responsible AI use, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

The Cabinet also viewed the Kingdom's successful hosting of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad and Saudi students' top results in the competition as confirmation of its global leadership in scientific events and its commitment to empowering talented individuals in line with Saudi Vision 2030.



IMCTC, Türkiye Discuss Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Mohammed Al-Moghedi meets with Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah Isler on Monday. (SPA)
Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Mohammed Al-Moghedi meets with Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah Isler on Monday. (SPA)
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IMCTC, Türkiye Discuss Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Mohammed Al-Moghedi meets with Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah Isler on Monday. (SPA)
Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Mohammed Al-Moghedi meets with Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah Isler on Monday. (SPA)

Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Mohammed Al-Moghedi received on Monday Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Emrullah Isler at the coalition's headquarters in Riyadh to discuss deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

They also tackled ways to boost coordination and strengthen collective efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

Al-Moghedi reviewed the IMCTC's key activities, programs, and strategic initiatives across its four core domains: ideology, media, counter-terrorist financing, and military.

They stressed the importance of strengthening international efforts and bolstering effective partnerships to combat terrorist organizations and disrupt their ideological and financial support networks.

The two officials commended the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening cooperation and solidarity while consolidating security and stability.

The Turkish ambassador toured the IMCTC headquarters, where he was briefed on its operational mechanisms and the methodology used to develop and implement programs and initiatives across member states.


Saudi Ambassador Meets EU Ambassador to Lebanon

The two sides reviewed various aspects of current political developments - SPA
The two sides reviewed various aspects of current political developments - SPA
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Saudi Ambassador Meets EU Ambassador to Lebanon

The two sides reviewed various aspects of current political developments - SPA
The two sides reviewed various aspects of current political developments - SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari met on Monday at his residence with European Union Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed various aspects of current political developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as several issues of mutual interest.


Kuwait Court Orders Imprisonment of Former MPs, Including Musallam Al-Barrak

The defendants were charged with "contesting the rights and authorities of the Emir of the country and spreading malicious news". (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The defendants were charged with "contesting the rights and authorities of the Emir of the country and spreading malicious news". (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait Court Orders Imprisonment of Former MPs, Including Musallam Al-Barrak

The defendants were charged with "contesting the rights and authorities of the Emir of the country and spreading malicious news". (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The defendants were charged with "contesting the rights and authorities of the Emir of the country and spreading malicious news". (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation sentenced on Sunday a number of former MPs to prison, overturning the acquittals of 15 defendants, most of whom were former lawmakers in the dissolved National Assembly. The defendants were charged with "contesting the rights and authorities of the Emir of the country and spreading malicious news detrimental to the internal interests and stability of the nation."

The First Circuit of the Court of Cassation reversed the Court of Appeals' ruling that had suspended the sentence of former MP Muhannad Talal Al-Sayer, sentencing him again to three years in prison on charges related to contesting the rights of the Emir, interfering with his authorities, and spreading malicious news harmful to Kuwait's internal interests and stability.

The court also overturned the appellate ruling that suspended the sentence of former MP Saleh Mohammed Al-Mulla, ordering him to serve two years in prison for contesting the authorities and rights of the Emir.

It overturned the acquittal of former MPs Musallam Al-Barrak and Salem Al-Namlan, convicting them as repeat offenders and sentencing them to three years in prison for spreading malicious news detrimental to the country's interests.

It sentenced former MP Bader Al-Dahoum to one year of hard labor on charges of offending judges of the Constitutional Court.

The court also overturned the acquittals issued in favor of 15 defendants, finding them guilty while abstaining from pronouncing punishment on charges of spreading malicious news detrimental to the state's interests.

The rulings included former MPs Adel Al-Damkhi, Mohammed Mosaed Al-Dosari, Osama Al-Zaid, Shuaib Ali Shaban, Mohammed Abbas Jawhar Hayat, Madi Al-Hajri, Falah Al-Hajri, Hamad Al-Mudlej, Ali Radan Al-Otaibi, Mohammed Haif, Saoud Al-Hajri, Khaled Mounis Al-Otaibi, Nasser Mohammed Al-Mutairi, and Nami Harab Mohammed Awad Obeid.