Turki Al-Faisal: Ties With US Faced Great Challenges, Will Survive

Prince Turki Al Faisal attends a close session meeting at the IISS Regional Security Summit - The Manama Dialogue in Manama, December 8, 2013. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)
Prince Turki Al Faisal attends a close session meeting at the IISS Regional Security Summit - The Manama Dialogue in Manama, December 8, 2013. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)
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Turki Al-Faisal: Ties With US Faced Great Challenges, Will Survive

Prince Turki Al Faisal attends a close session meeting at the IISS Regional Security Summit - The Manama Dialogue in Manama, December 8, 2013. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)
Prince Turki Al Faisal attends a close session meeting at the IISS Regional Security Summit - The Manama Dialogue in Manama, December 8, 2013. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)

Prince Turki al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz said that the Saudi-US relations have faced many challenges and crises in the past 70 years, but they have survived and continued. He stressed that those relations would not be affected by the repercussions of the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking at the Annual Arab-US Policymakers Conference at the National Council on US-Arab Relations on Wednesday, the former Saudi ambassador to the United States and Britain said that Saudi Arabia and the US have worked together, over the past years, on many issues and concerns that served the two countries; adding that bilateral ties would not have survived without the determination of the leaders of the two countries: 6 Saudi kings, and 13 US presidents.

He added that the 1973 oil crisis and the events of September 11, 2001, have changed the priorities that the two countries focused on in their relationship.

The case of Khashoggi is "tragic and unjustified." Prince Turki reiterated that the Kingdom was committed to bringing to justice those responsible for Khashoggi’s death “and whoever else failed to uphold the law.”

A former head of Saudi intelligence, he said: “From this platform, I have stressed several times that Saudi Arabia’s relationship with America is too great to fall and will survive this current crisis.”

He underlined that Saudi Arabia and the US have worked for decades to achieve peace, fight terrorism, and tackle extremism locally and globally. He noted that throughout the past years, Saudi Arabia has paid a heavy price for its image and reputation, in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with the US in line with its policies.

The Saudi prince pointed to his country’s humanitarian assistance, which amounts to 4 percent of its revenues and funds, to develop and help poor countries, highlighting the Kingdom’s recent decision to exempt some poor countries from debts worth $6 billion.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s war against “darkness, extremism and terrorism continues, as it stands against the Iranian ambitions of hegemony and is working with America in this matter.”

The National Council for US-Arab Relations holds an annual conference on the most prominent issues facing the Arab world, and how the US could participate in them, from the perspective of Arab and US leaders, politicians and researcher. Prince Turki Al-Faisal has been one of the most prominent figures of the conference for many years.



Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a comprehensive guide containing instructions and guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims and facilitating the performance of this year’s Hajj with ease, safety, and tranquility.

The guide includes directions on how to reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah and explains the designated pedestrian pathways leading to the areas for circumambulation (Tawaf) and walking between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i).

It highlights peak times at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, offers vehicle usage guidelines during the Hajj, and outlines instructions for managing pedestrian movement and crowd control.

These include adherence to scheduled group timings for Tawaf, Sa’i, and the stoning of the Jamarat across all stages of the Hajj.

The guide also features various safety and security tips to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and provides information on Hajj regulations, particularly the “No Hajj Without a Permit” rule and the fines for violations.

The ministry urged all individuals to comply with Hajj regulations, which are designed to safeguard the well-being of pilgrims and ensure a smooth Hajj. It also encouraged the public to report violations by contacting the authorities through dedicated hotlines.