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UAE Opens Consulate in Morocco’s Laayoune

Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
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UAE Opens Consulate in Morocco’s Laayoune

Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry
Morocco's Foreign Minister opens the consulate general in Laayoune along with UAE's Ambassador to Morocco. Moroccan Foreign Ministry

The United Arab Emirates opened Wednesday its consulate general in Laayoune, southern Morocco, making it the first Gulf consulate in the Sahara.

UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the opening of the consulate in a speech via videoconferencing, reiterating that it reflects the long-standing historical relations and a strategic partnership between the two countries.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and UAE Ambassador to Rabat Saeed Ahmed al-Dhaheri.

The UAE Minister hoped the consulate will play an important role in exploring economic opportunities, expanding areas of understanding, and encouraging cooperation between the two countries.

“I would like to point out that this step is a reflection of the UAE's long-standing historical relations and a strategic partnership based on the highest levels established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Hassan II since 1971 and strengthened by the UAE's participation in the ‘Green March,” Sheikh Abdullah was quoted by WAM.

The minister added that these ties have been further strengthened in recent years, following the efforts of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, VP and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated his country's support to Morocco in its regional and international causes, noting that it is “a reflection of the sincere brotherly bonds and the fruitful cooperation and active solidarity that unite the UAE and Morocco.”

Moreover, Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE values the leading role of King Mohammed VI in coordinating and consulting with the UAE leadership to help achieve security, stability, and peace in the region.

The minister also indicated that this relates to exchanging views to reach a common vision through which both societies can live a decent life filled with optimism and hope, while overcoming the challenges that hinder development.

For his part, Ambassador Dhaheri said that the opening of a general consulate in Laayoune constitutes an opportunity to further motivate bilateral relations for effective and fruitful cooperation.

The diplomat added that the UAE consulate would strengthen bilateral relations at all levels of trade, economic, investment and cultural exchange between the two brotherly countries.

He stressed that the joint concern of the leadership of the two countries will further develop relations in order to serve and promote their common interests.

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Gulf

Gulf Countries Approve Military Command Headquarters in Kuwait

Gulf officials are seen at the meeting Bahrain on Tuesday. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Gulf officials are seen at the meeting Bahrain on Tuesday. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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Gulf Countries Approve Military Command Headquarters in Kuwait

Gulf officials are seen at the meeting Bahrain on Tuesday. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Gulf officials are seen at the meeting Bahrain on Tuesday. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The Gulf Cooperation Council member states approved on Tuesday the establishment of an advanced headquarters for their Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the deployment of appropriate forces to it, the bloc's secretary-general said.

The announcement followed the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council, attended by defense ministers from the bloc's member ⁠states, in Bahrain.

The meeting discussed ways to boost joint Gulf defense efforts in a manner that supports the security and stability of the member states and the region.

Representing the Saudi delegation, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman praised the constructive outcomes of the meeting, which deepen Gulf defense integration and help in elevating coordination and readiness to confront various risks and challenges to ensure the security and stability of Gulf countries.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the decision to launch the advanced command falls within the framework of boosting joint Gulf military action.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the meeting Bahrain on Tuesday. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

It implements the directives issued by the leaders of the GCC states during their extraordinary meeting in Jeddah in April, aimed at unifying efforts, raising readiness to confront joint threats and challenges, and safeguarding the security, sovereignty, and stability of the Council's member states, he added.

He also praised the competence and sacrifices of the Gulf armed forces in countering Iranian attacks.

He strongly condemned the treacherous attacks by Iran and the Houthi militia targeting civilian installations and holy sites in Saudi Arabia, stressing that the GCC countries stand united in full solidarity with the Kingdom to protect its security and stability, based on the principle of a shared Gulf destiny.

The GCC established ‌its ‌Unified Military Command at a summit in Kuwait ‌in December 2013 to ‌plan and manage joint military operations and strengthen member states' defense capabilities against potential threats to their territory, airspace, ‌waters and interests.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Leads Delegation at GCC Defense Meeting

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
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Saudi Defense Minister Leads Delegation at GCC Defense Meeting

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman began an official visit to Bahrain on Tuesday leading the kingdom’s delegation to the 23rd GCC Joint Defense Council meeting.

The minister was accorded an official reception upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport, where he was received by Bahraini Defense Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi.

The two ministers discussed longstanding ties between their countries and ongoing defense coordination within the framework of joint GCC cooperation.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia: Number of Umrah Pilgrims Arriving from Abroad Rose to 18 Million

Officials are seen at the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Monday. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)
Officials are seen at the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Monday. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)
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Saudi Arabia: Number of Umrah Pilgrims Arriving from Abroad Rose to 18 Million

Officials are seen at the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Monday. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)
Officials are seen at the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Monday. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)

A ministerial session at the Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Monday underscored the scale of Saudi Arabia's preparations for the upcoming Hajj season from providing over one million beds for pilgrims to preemptively monitoring hundreds of potential risks.

The briefing comes as relevant authorities move to elevate service quality and expand capacity across airports and lodging facilities, coordinated under an operational framework involving more than 60 government entities.

During the session, "Serving the Guests of God: An Integrated National System," Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stressed that the Pilgrim Experience Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, has brought about a transformation in managing the journey of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, starting from facilitating access to the Two Holy Mosques, through the quality of services, and leading to enriching the religious and cultural experience.

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah at the conference. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)

Al-Rabiah revealed that the number of Umrah pilgrims arriving from abroad rose from 8.4 million in 2022 to 18 million in 2025, while the number of visitors to the al-Rawdah Sharifa increased from 6 million to some 16 million during the same period.

He said the Hajj Project Management Office coordinates some 600 operational plans annually among participating entities, noting that pilgrim satisfaction rose from 74 to 93 percent over five years, surpassing the targeted 90 percent.

On housing, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced the completion of licensing for buildings designated to receive pilgrims for the upcoming season, providing more than 1.3 million beds across around 400,000 rooms distributed among 4,000 buildings in Makkah and Madinah.

He noted that the sheer volume of available accommodation in the two holy cities places them within the top 10 percent of countries globally for room capacity, underscoring the massive infrastructure dedicated to hosting Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb speaks at the conference. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)

Al-Khateeb revealed that some 560,000 beds were provided in temporary pilgrim accommodations, and 30,000 inspection tours were conducted last season, as well as the training of more than 45,000 employees to elevate service quality.

The ministry is working to reduce the number of beds per room and encourage the conversion of temporary pilgrim lodging into permanent facilities, while providing accommodation options that suit various budgets, he added.

In the aviation sector, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz Al‑Dailej announced that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah welcomed 52 million passengers in 2025, while Terminal 4 was operated with a capacity exceeding 15 million passengers, and the Hajj Terminal was upgraded to handle up to 16 million.

The expansion of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah will raise its capacity from 8 million to 18 million passengers, with the project expected to be completed in October 2027, he went on to say.

Al-Dailej added that the "Luggage-Free Traveler" initiative has served around 4.5 million pilgrims and handled 6.7 million bags over the past four years, supported by 130 air carriers linking the Kingdom to over 200 destinations.

President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz Al‑Dailej at the conference. (Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition)

Director of Public Security Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Bassami stressed that Hajj security operations have shifted from basic coordination to full integration, with authorities identifying over 900 potential risks and establishing proactive response scenarios.

In the health sector, the Health Holding Company revealed that it provided more than 2.5 million services during the last season.

Dr. Hatim Al-Omari, CEO of the Makkah Health Cluster, explained that the cluster served more than 746,000 people, conducted 128,000 field inspections, performed over 415 surgeries and 382 kidney dialysis sessions, and administered 371,000 vaccination doses.

In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Omari said 5,309 pilgrims benefited from specialized treatment pathways, including 4,574 injury cases, 416 stroke cases, and 319 cardiac arrest cases.