Trump Welcomes Makkah Agreement, Calls it ‘Big, Bold’ Step

07 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. Photo: -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
07 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. Photo: -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Trump Welcomes Makkah Agreement, Calls it ‘Big, Bold’ Step

07 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. Photo: -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
07 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. Photo: -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he was pleased by the recent signing of a defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

"Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way," he wrote, calling it a "BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement on August 7.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said the pact meant an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all, adding it was "intended to strengthen collective deterrence."

The agreement declared a "shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond."



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.