Saudi Arabia Pushes to Activate Makkah Agreement, Strengthen Deterrence and Collective Defense

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Pushes to Activate Makkah Agreement, Strengthen Deterrence and Collective Defense

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held on Tuesday in Jeddah which reviewed the outcomes of recent consultations and discussions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other nations, including the message received by the Crown Prince from Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the first meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, which included an agreement to take further institutional steps to establish a General Secretariat headquartered in the Kingdom and activate joint cooperation mechanisms, aiming to enhance coordination and integration, ensure effective deterrence and collective defense, and support international security and regional efforts toward achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that upon reviewing the outcomes of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continued support for all efforts enhancing the organization's role in serving Islamic causes and fulfilling the aspirations of Muslims for peace and stability.

The Cabinet also congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as OIC secretary-general, expressing appreciation for the dedicated efforts of former secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha throughout his tenure.

The Cabinet further highlighted Saudi Arabia's active engagement in regional and international organizations, commending the national efforts that cemented its regional leadership with 21 healthy cities accredited by the World Health Organization.

This milestone was achieved by embedding accreditation standards into institutional and developmental practices that place human well-being and quality of life at the core of sustainable development.

The Cabinet also lauded the National Greening Program for receiving a United Nations award for World Restoration Flagships, a recognition that reflects the program's environmental leadership and dedication to expanding vegetation cover, rehabilitating degraded lands, protecting ecosystems, and enhancing biodiversity.

The Cabinet further noted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's re-election as Chair of the Executive Council of the Arab Administrative Development Organization, affirming its leading role in supporting joint Arab action and advancing human resource development and service quality across member states in line with shared aspirations.



Saudi FM Holds Separate Calls with His Qatari, Egyptian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Holds Separate Calls with His Qatari, Egyptian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

They discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen security and stability.

According to SPA, he also received a phone call from Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty, with whom he discussed regional and international developments and efforts to support security and stability.


Coalition: Houthi Cruise Missile Launched Toward Riyadh Region Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: Houthi Cruise Missile Launched Toward Riyadh Region Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated on Saturday that a cruise missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Riyadh Region was intercepted and destroyed.

Al-Malki said on Friday night that a UAV was intercepted and destroyed in Riyadh Region.


Turkish Parliament Ratifies Makkah Defense Pact

General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
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Turkish Parliament Ratifies Makkah Defense Pact

General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)

Türkiye's parliament ratified a regional defense pact involving Saudi Arabia and Pakistan overnight, state media reported.

The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in August, committing them to come to one another's aid if any member is attacked.

Lawmakers approved the measure by 279 votes to 119, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.

During parliamentary debates, ruling AKP lawmaker Ziya Altunyaldiz said the agreement was not directed against any third country and was intended to prevent conflicts rather than escalate them, Anadolu reported.