King Salman to Patronize 32nd Janadriyah Festival

King Salman (SPA)
King Salman (SPA)
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King Salman to Patronize 32nd Janadriyah Festival

King Salman (SPA)
King Salman (SPA)

Saudi National Festival for Heritage and Culture 32nd Janadriyah will begin on Wednesday under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the Ministry of the National Guard. In addition to the annual grand camel race, Janadriyah is considered one of the most important national events that depicts Saudi Arabia's history.

During a press conference, Minister of the National Guard and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture, Prince Khaled bin Abdulaziz bin al-Ayaf, highlighted the activities and programs of the festival, in presence of Indian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whose country will serve as this year's guest of honor at this year's festival.

Ayaf thanked the Custodian for his patronage of this national event, and announced King Salman’s approval to extend the festival's duration to three weeks.

He has also lauded Crown Prince Mohammed, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, for the great support he offers for the fields of heritage and culture.

The minister declared that King Salman approved to grant King Abdulaziz First Medal to the following cultural figures: late Prince Saud al-Faisal, late Turki al-Sudairy and Dr. Khairiah al-Saqaf for their great national efforts.

During the festival, several events and seminars will discuss the honored figures at the presence of Prince Turki al-Faisal, Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Al Khalifa, and Saudi Minister Adel a-Jubeir.

Several officials and figures including: Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, Secretary-General of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology Dr. Nasser al-Buqami, Dr. Radwan al-Sayed, Dr. Ayed al-Manea and Dr. Mohammed Al-Khasht, will also discuss topics related to combating extremism and countering terrorism in the world.

The ceremony will include speeches, song and an operetta entitled “Imams and Kings” written by Prince Badr Bin Abdulmuhsin bin Abdulaziz and talks about the first, second and third Saudi state in a theatrical atmosphere that combines drama, singing and artistic performances using screens and the latest technology in this field.

During the cultural program, the audience will discuss enhancing the role of women in society, the participation of women in public affairs, and the role of scientists and advocates in community coexistence.

This year the festival gates will remain open from 11.00 a.m. till 11.00 p.m to allow the maximum number of people visit the festival.

The Chairman of Janadriyah Supreme Committee thanked the governors of regions for their cooperation, lauding the Ministry of Culture and Information and all media institutions.



Saudi Ambassador Inaugurates 3rd Phase of Lebanese Land Exports to the Kingdom

Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
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Saudi Ambassador Inaugurates 3rd Phase of Lebanese Land Exports to the Kingdom

Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA
Part of Thursday’s inauguration ceremony. SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari inaugurated on Thursday the third phase of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the resumption of Lebanese exports to the Kingdom.

The exports will pass through the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.

Thursday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, representing the prime minister, along with several government officials.

Rasamny praised the Kingdom’s decision to resume imports of Lebanese products, describing it as a direct support for the national economy and a step that opens new opportunities for Lebanese producers.

The ceremony also included the activation of the scanner at Masnaa. This was followed by an inspection visit to the site designated for the establishment of a new land border crossing center.


Oman Says Lasting Security in Strait of Hormuz Requires Regional Peace

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Oman Says Lasting Security in Strait of Hormuz Requires Regional Peace

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Oman said lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz required permanent peace in the region and rejected further escalation or conflict, its foreign minister told his Japanese counterpart on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Iran has said a deal with Oman on new shipping lanes through the strait was in its final stages.


Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Faisal bin Farhan Stresses Diplomacy to Ease Regional Tensions

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh on Wednesday (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing regional tensions and preventing renewed conflict through comprehensive, sustainable diplomatic solutions addressing the sources of instability in the Middle East.

“Diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities,” Prince Faisal declared during the third Saudi-Japanese Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh.

Prince Faisal highlighted the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, built on mutual trust and respect, and identified maritime security as a key shared priority.

He stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in international waterways in accordance with international law, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and other maritime passages must remain open, secure and free from threats.

The Saudi minister described Japan as an important economic partner and noted that Riyadh sought to expand cooperation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense and technology, as well as the exchange of expertise and capabilities.

He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia would remain a reliable partner for Japan, including in energy, while praising Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and stabilize global energy markets and trade.

Ahead of his visit to Riyadh and Muscat, Motegi noted that Saudi Arabia was playing a mediating role in talks between the United States and Iran and had seen its international influence expand significantly in recent years.

He pledged to deepen cooperation with the Kingdom as a strategic partner, particularly in ensuring stable energy supplies.

Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan’s assistant foreign minister and ministry spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo was “strategic and encompasses all fields,” adding that future defense cooperation was possible.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, Kitamura explained that Japan wanted to hear Saudi Arabia’s assessment of regional developments and strengthen coordination with Riyadh and Oman in support of peace and stability, particularly regarding Iran.

He noted that more than 95% of Japan’s crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its importance to global trade and the world economy.

Kitamura also expressed serious concern over Houthi attacks in Bab al-Mandab and indicated that Japan aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation beyond oil under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.