Saudi King Hails Forces Defending Kingdom, Condemns Houthi Attempts to Target Makkah

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 King Hails Forces Defending Kingdom, Condemns Houthi Attempts to Target Makkah

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)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud praised and thanked Allah Almighty on Tuesday for the great blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom, and for the honor of serving the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and their visitors.  

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day on Wednesday, the King expressed his wishes for further achievements and successes in the nation's journey of growth, progress, and leadership across all sectors. 

King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired a Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. 

He acknowledged the role of military and security personnel in defending the homeland and firmly confronting any aggression against the holy sites, the pilgrims, and the Kingdom's citizens and residents. 

He condemned the terrorist Houthi militia's repeated attempt to target the holy city of Makkah - an act met with widespread international condemnation and denunciation - stressing that this heinous crime, which violates the sanctity of the holy sites, provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide. 

The Cabinet then reviewed the outcomes of the visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Egypt, where discussions held with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi underscored the depth of bilateral relations, the shared desire to boost cooperation, and the commitment to ongoing consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest to serve both peoples. 

The Cabinet reviewed the message the Crown Prince received from Jordan’s King Abdullah II, as well as the details of a phone call he received from French President Emmanuel Macron, which addressed regional developments, efforts to bolster regional stability, and measures to safeguard the freedom and safety of maritime navigation and waterways. 

The Cabinet, upon its review of regional developments, underlined the need to adhere to international law, specifically respect for state sovereignty, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the guarantee of safe navigation in international waterways, to safeguard the security of states, fulfill the aspirations of peoples, and protect international trade and global supply chains. 

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of several international conferences hosted by Saudi Arabia. It highlighted the recommendations issued by the ministerial meeting of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2026, which support international cooperation to ensure sound AI development, strengthen governance frameworks, regulate emerging technologies, and harness them safely and inclusively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The Cabinet commended the success of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit, which saw the launch of more than 40 agreements and initiatives aimed at localizing knowledge and innovation, advancing the sector, achieving national strategic targets, and boosting the contribution of global research to pharmaceutical discoveries and future technologies. These efforts reinforce the Kingdom's leadership in initiatives serving human health as a top priority. 

The Cabinet noted the unveiling of the first models from the national automotive company, CEER, marking a new strategic milestone toward establishing an advanced, sustainable industrial ecosystem. This step empowers the sector as a vital engine of economic growth, attracting investments, supporting national talent, and expanding the private sector's developmental role, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives and cementing the Kingdom's standing as a leading regional and global industrial hub. 



Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Emir of Qatar

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Emir of Qatar

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Monday a written message from Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on bilateral relations between their countries.

The message was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting with Ambassador of Qatar to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meets with Ambassador of Qatar to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between their countries, ways to boost them in various fields. They also discussed issues of common interest.


Qatar Calls for Non-Aggression Pact with Iran, Announces Plans to Strengthen Defense Industry

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
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Qatar Calls for Non-Aggression Pact with Iran, Announces Plans to Strengthen Defense Industry

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.

Qatar has called for a regional dialogue involving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Iran, with the participation of Türkiye and Pakistan, aimed at reaching security understandings based on confidence-building measures and a non-aggression agreement.

The proposal comes as Doha prepares to unveil new defense partnerships and plans to establish a domestic military production center, part of efforts to strengthen its ability to counter missile threats, drones and cyberattacks.

The announcements were made by Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, during the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.

The forum, which runs through October 21 under the theme "The Future of Alliances", brings together officials and experts in international security and politics.

The Qatari minister said achieving lasting peace with Iran would require addressing mutual security concerns and building economic relationships that could help prevent renewed conflict.

He stressed that Qatar continues to maintain contact with Tehran despite the attacks it has suffered and supports mediation efforts led by Pakistan, in cooperation with Oman and other partners, to seek a settlement to the conflict between the United States and Iran.

On defense security, Sheikh Saoud revealed that Qatar is preparing to announce a partnership with regional parties to develop its air defense, counter-drone and cybersecurity capabilities.

He also announced plans to establish a domestic defense production center in cooperation with a regional partner and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and France, either by localizing certain military industries or investing in specialized companies.

The minister explained that a defense review conducted by Qatar had identified air defense, cybersecurity and electronic warfare as priorities, following the threats witnessed across the region during the recent conflict.

He said Doha would soon announce the establishment of the domestic defense production center, explaining that Qatar is working with a regional partner, alongside the United States, Britain and France, to develop local defense capabilities or invest in companies operating in the sector.

Asked about the threats facing Qatar and other Gulf countries, particularly ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, Sheikh Saoud said a new partnership with regional parties would be announced soon to launch an initiative aimed at building capabilities in those three areas and others.

The minister emphasized the importance of Qatar's military partnership with the United States, noting that defense cooperation and exchanges of expertise had helped intercept more than 90 percent of attacks during the conflict.

He also reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to the continued development of Al Udeid Air Base, describing it as a Qatari facility that hosts allied forces and supports multiple missions, including counterterrorism operations.

On energy security, Sheikh Saoud warned that the economic repercussions of disruptions to oil and gas supplies had not yet reached their peak, and that their effects on prices and consumers could continue over the coming months.

He also rejected the imposition of fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need for an agreement guaranteeing freedom of navigation and stability in energy markets.

The minister addressed the Israeli attack on Qatar, arguing that targeting a country engaged in mediation undermines confidence in diplomatic efforts.

He also referred to the apology issued by the Israeli prime minister following the attack.

Discussing Iranian attacks on Qatari facilities and interests, Sheikh Saoud said Doha had drawn lessons from the incidents to strengthen its defense preparedness, without abandoning dialogue with Tehran.

He stressed that mediation and military readiness are not mutually exclusive, explaining that preventing wars requires sustained diplomatic engagement alongside the development of capabilities necessary to protect national sovereignty.

The Global Security Forum, organized by the Soufan Center and the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies, is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The forum is examining the future of alliances and defense partnerships, maritime security and supply chains, cybersecurity challenges, and de-escalation diplomacy amid ongoing shifts in international relations.


Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Relations and Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Relations and Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and the existing partnership across various fields, exploring ways to further strengthen them to serve mutual interests and support the aspirations of both friendly nations.

The ministers also discussed regional developments and efforts to mitigate the repercussions of ongoing events. Barrot expressed his country’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia and affirmed France’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

The two sides also underscored the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure the security and safety of regional waterways and freedom of navigation, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable solutions to ongoing regional crises, thereby enhancing security and stability across the region.