Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Rejection of Using Vital Waterways to Harm States' Interests

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Rejection of Using Vital Waterways to Harm States' Interests

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of phone calls with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin; Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; and President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

He also briefed the Cabinet on his meeting with United Arab Emirates Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The discussions reviewed relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and these brotherly and friendly nations, as well as ways to strengthen and develop these ties across various fields. Additionally, the talks addressed regional developments and efforts to enhance security and stability at both regional and international levels.

In a statement to the SPA following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this context, the Cabinet praised the national efforts and the Kingdom's significant role in this global event, particularly its leadership and support for multilateral action at various levels. These efforts promote international peace and security, enhance dialogue and diplomacy, aid in addressing global crises and challenges, and strengthen responses to humanitarian needs.

The Cabinet viewed the Kingdom's financial support for the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center's programs as an essential part of its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms. This support underscores the importance of the center in enhancing national capacities, unifying global efforts, and strengthening international cooperation in this field.

The Cabinet noted the progress made in establishing the General Secretariat of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and forming its committees and working groups.

It also noted the steps taken at the meetings of the foreign ministers and chiefs of general staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Türkiye to advance coordination and integration among the three countries and begin translating the agreement's commitments into military cooperation that strengthens deterrence and collective defense.

The Cabinet followed developments in political issues at the regional and international levels, expressing its welcome for the statement issued by members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which condemned the continued attacks by the Houthi terrorist militia against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, threats to the security of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the undermining of efforts aimed at achieving peace in Yemen.

The Cabinet also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, and of restoring conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to those prevailing before February 28, while imposing no fees or restrictions.

It rejected the use of these vital waterways as a means of exerting pressure, issuing threats, or harming the interests of states, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Minister Al-Dossary said the Cabinet strongly condemned continued assaults by officials of the Israeli occupation authorities and extremist settlers on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its religious and historical status, as well as continued expansionist attempts to infringe upon the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

He also indicated that the Cabinet renewed Saudi Arabia's affirmation that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Cabinet also reviewed a number of reports on domestic affairs, commending the successive international recognition of the leadership of the “Saudi Model for Education and Training Quality” in building an integrated ecosystem of programs, tools, and measures, supported by a broad database of data and information.

This contributes to ensuring the adequacy of education outcomes, preparing national talent capable of competing globally, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030.



Gulf FMs to Meet in Manama to Discuss Latest Developments

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

Gulf FMs to Meet in Manama to Discuss Latest Developments

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Gulf Foreign Ministers will meet in Manama on Sunday to discuss regional and international developments, and ways to strengthen political coordination and joint action, as a new round of the Gulf-Russian Strategic Dialogue takes place as part of efforts by both sides to expand cooperation and exchange views on issues of common interest.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi said in a statement that the meeting, chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, will discuss a number of issues related to advancing joint Gulf action and review the latest developments in the region and the world.

The Manama meetings take on added significance with the convening of the ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf-Russian Strategic Dialogue on the sidelines of the GCC’s 168th ministerial session. The meeting aims to strengthen relations between the two sides and broaden the scope of their partnership across various fields.

Albudaiwi said the Gulf-Russian meeting reflects the GCC states’ efforts to deepen their relations with countries and regional and international blocs and to build strategic partnerships that strengthen their presence and role on the international stage.

The Secretary-General said the talks will address ways to further develop Gulf-Russian cooperation and exchange views on issues of mutual concern in a manner that serves the interests of both sides.

The strategic dialogue between the GCC and Russia is based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides in November 2011, which established an institutional framework for developing relations, conducting political consultations, and strengthening cooperation in areas of shared interest.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed ongoing efforts to further advance Gulf-Russian relations in ways that serve mutual interests and strengthen the partnership between the two sides.


Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
TT

Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has received a phone call from Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

During the call on Saturday, the two ministers discussed recent developments in the region and efforts to contain conflicts and mitigate their negative repercussions in the region and the world.

They also discussed the importance of continuing coordination and consultations on current challenges, reaffirming the two countries' solidarity in confronting any threats to their security and stability, while contributing to regional security and safeguarding the interests of their peoples.


Coalition: UAVs, Ballistic Missiles Intercepted and 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)
TT

Coalition: UAVs, Ballistic Missiles Intercepted and 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 said in separate statements on Sunday that three UAVs were intercepted and destroyed in Eastern and Riyadh regions.

Al-Malki also stated that two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Khamis Mushait were intercepted and destroyed.