Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria Discuss Bolstering Defense, Military Cooperation

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria Discuss Bolstering Defense, Military Cooperation

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks on Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart Dimitar Stoyanov on military and defense cooperation between their countries and means to develop them to serve mutual interests.

During a telephone call, they also tackled means of bolstering security and stability in the region. They also discussed regional and international affairs.



Saudi Arabia Categorically Rejects Any Attempts to Alter Geographical Character of Palestinian Territory

 The Israeli settlement of Halamish is seen on a hill overlooking Palestinian homes in the village of Deir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on September 23, 2026. (AFP)
The Israeli settlement of Halamish is seen on a hill overlooking Palestinian homes in the village of Deir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on September 23, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Categorically Rejects Any Attempts to Alter Geographical Character of Palestinian Territory

 The Israeli settlement of Halamish is seen on a hill overlooking Palestinian homes in the village of Deir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on September 23, 2026. (AFP)
The Israeli settlement of Halamish is seen on a hill overlooking Palestinian homes in the village of Deir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on September 23, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia reiterated its absolute rejection of any measures aimed at the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, or any attempts to alter the geographical or demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory.

It also expressed its strong condemnation of the expansion of Israeli settlement activities and settler terrorism.

This came during the participation of the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, as part of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council that addressed the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.

Dr. Salem Al-Qahtani, Director General of the General Administration of Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Saudi Arabia reaffirms that the only path to achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace lies in the implementation of the two-state solution, supporting the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and the establishment of their independent, sovereign state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the continuation of the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, stressing the need of adhering to a ceasefire and ensuring full protection for civilians, he added.

Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia values the important steps taken by a number of countries to recognize the State of Palestine, and the subsequent recent strengthening of accountability measures, including restrictions on trade with Israeli settlements.

Marking one year since the adoption of the "New York Declaration," Riyadh reaffirmed the statement made by the co-chairs of the "Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution," stressing that Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are a single Palestinian territorial unit, and that the occupation must end.


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
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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.


Saudi Crown Prince, Italian Prime Minister Discuss Bilateral Ties, Maritime Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince, Italian Prime Minister Discuss Bilateral Ties, Maritime Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call on Tuesday from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation across various fields and addressed the latest developments in the region.

They also emphasized the importance of supporting efforts to ensure the security and freedom of navigation in vital waterways to bolster regional stability.