King Salman, Palestinian President Discuss Recent Developments

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Palestinian President (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Palestinian President (SPA)
TT

King Salman, Palestinian President Discuss Recent Developments

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Palestinian President (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Palestinian President (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received at his palace President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas where the two held a session of official talks discussing the latest developments at the Palestinian arena.

Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Basem al-Agha stated that the President's visit and meeting the Custodian is part of the continuous meetings between the two countries. He added that Saudi Arabia and the Custodian always support the Palestinian cause.

Ambassador Agha stated that President Abbas informed the Custodian and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Palestinian reconciliation and confirmed the Kingdom's positive and active role in the Palestinian cause.

Agha added that Saudi Arabia's position had always reiterated that the Palestinian unity gains its strength from the Palestinian cause and division will lead to losing the cause.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the ambassador stated that the visit confirms his country's support to the Saudi Arabia in face of all adversities. He also indicated that President Abbas voiced his appreciation for King Salman for his continuous support to Palestinian people and government.

The session was attended by Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the State, Member of the Cabinet and adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mansour bin Meteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the State and Member of the Cabinet Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmad Al-Jubeir, and the Palestinian President's accompanying delegation including: Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Maliki, Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh, Head of Palestinian Intelligence Service Maj-Gen Majid Faraj, Abbas' Diplomatic Adviser Majdi al-Khalidi, and the Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Basem al-Agha.

King Salman held a luncheon in honor of the President Abbas at his palace and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday.

The audience was attended by Prince Khaled bin Fahd bin Khaled, Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the State, Member of the Cabinet and adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mansour bin Meteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard Prince Khaled bin Abdulaziz bin Ayaf Al Muqrin, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, and a number of princes.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
TT

Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Wednesday the United States' designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations.

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s condemnation of extremism and terrorism, its support for all that achieves security, stability, and prosperity of Arab countries, and the security of the region and the world.


Islamic Military Coalition Launches ‘Competence’ Military Strategic Initiative in Sierra Leone

Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
TT

Islamic Military Coalition Launches ‘Competence’ Military Strategic Initiative in Sierra Leone

Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)
Officials are seen at Tuesday's launch. (SPA)

The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched on Tuesday the “Competence” military strategic training for counter-terrorism in Sierra Leone.

The launch was attended by Sierra Leonean Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Lengor, IMCTC Secretary General of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Major General Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, senior military and security officials, civil representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Republic of Sierra Leone.

The initiative runs from January 13 to February 3, targeting the training and capacity building of 30 military and security personnel through an intensive 15-day program focused on counter-terrorism, including handling explosives, improvised devices, and unexploded ordnance, while enhancing the operational readiness of specialized forces.

The training aims to develop the skills and capabilities of personnel in counter-terrorism units and facilitate the transfer of advanced professional knowledge and expertise among member states, enabling them to address complex terrorist threats with high-level scientific and professional methods.


Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s rejection of any attempts “to create parallel entities that undermine Somalia's unity, territorial integrity, or national sovereignty.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's extraordinary meeting on Somalia in Jeddah that stressed the Kingdom’s stance on Somalia.

The Cabinet reviewed recent high-level discussions between the Kingdom and various countries, focusing on regional developments, ongoing efforts to anchor security and peace, and the Kingdom's commitment to multilateral initiatives that drive global stability and foster collective responses to shared challenges.

The Cabinet reiterated the centrality of the Palestinian cause, stressing the Kingdom's unwavering support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These efforts aim to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Cabinet commended the successful conclusion of the Gulf Shield 2026 joint military exercise, hosted by Saudi Arabia. Featuring the air and air defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the GCC Unified Military Command, the exercise underscored the commitment to boosting regional defense cooperation and strengthening collective military readiness.

The Cabinet reviewed several high-profile economic events hosted by the Kingdom, specifically highlighting the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum and the Saudi-Canadian Business and Investment Forum. The summits resulted in numerous memoranda of understanding across strategic sectors, including space, cybersecurity, ICT, manufacturing, education, finance, water, and agriculture.