Saudi Arabia, Greece Agree to Boost Defense, Security Cooperation

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Greece Agree to Boost Defense, Security Cooperation

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meet in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks on Tuesday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on bilateral relations and opportunities to enhance the prospects of cooperation between their countries in various fields.

Meeting in Riyadh, they also exchanged views on regional and international developments to support and strengthen the security and stability in the region.

They agreed to raise the readiness and skills of their military through joint military exercises and maneuvers. They agreed to coordinate and exchange military experience to achieve security for both countries and stability for the region.

The two sides decided to localize the supportive technology and military industries while aiming to promote and develop such cooperation to achieve security and stability for their countries.

A statement at the end of their talks said the officials discussed future opportunities for economic cooperation and enable commercial and investment partnerships within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The stressed the importance of all efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis based on the three references: The Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue, and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2216.

They also condemned armed drone and ballistic missile attacks by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on the Kingdom’s territory.

The two leaders also stressed the need to strengthen the international partnership to combat extremism and terrorism.

The statement revealed that the officials agreed to examine the possibility of establishing a mutual investment fund.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the Greek private sector’s direct partnership with its Saudi counterpart in fields of desalination plants, drinking water, water lines, sewage treatment plants, among others. They hoped to boost cooperation in the renewable energy sector, military and pharmaceutical industries, and logistics services.

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to arrange regular Saudi-Greek investment forums that bring together several business leaders and heads of the private sector institutions from both countries.

The Council of Saudi Chambers and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) recently signed an agreement to establish the Saudi-Greek Business Council to exchange expertise in maritime training and education and promote cooperation between naval administrations.

The statement said both delegations exchanged views on the situation in their regions, in addition to political issues, crises in the Middle East, and international issues of common concern.

The stressed the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and halting all forms of interference in countries’ internal affairs to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and the world.

The Greek side lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts to maintain regional and international peace and security.

The statement also addressed the prime minister’s participation in the Green Middle East Initiative Summit, appreciating its positive role in achieving stability and environmental balance and minimizing the effects of climate change, which will, in turn, bring prosperity and development to the people of the region.

Mitsotakis praised Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the great efforts and constructive and distinct initiatives in tourism and climate change.

He attended the Future Investment Initiative Forum at its fifth session, which discussed global economic trends and the future of the international investment environment.



Governor of Hadhramaut Launches Military Operation to Take Control of STC Positions

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
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Governor of Hadhramaut Launches Military Operation to Take Control of STC Positions

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)

The Yemeni News Agency said on Friday that the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, issued a decision assigning the Governor of Hadhramaut, Salem Al-Khanbashi, to assume the general command of the National Shield forces in the governorate.

The official agency stated that the decision grants Al-Khanbashi “full military, security, and administrative powers to achieve the restoration of security and order in the governorate”.

It added that the decision stipulates that the assignment will end “once the reasons that led to it cease, or upon the issuance of a decision by the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, canceling this assignment”.

In a recorded speech following his appointment, Al-Khanbashi confirmed that the Southern Transitional Council deliberately rejected all responsible solutions aimed at de-escalation. He pointed out that STC forces had prepared plans intended to create widespread chaos in Hadhramaut.

He also announced that the National Shield forces had launched a military operation called “Receiving the Camps,” aimed at taking over military sites in a peaceful and organized manner. He added that “the military operation is not a declaration of war, but a responsible preventive measure”.

He further stressed that “the operation does not target any political or social component, nor civilians” in Hadhramaut.

This came after the National Field forces had expressed their readiness on Thursday to take over military sites and checkpoints from the Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah.

 


Saudi Crown Prince, Emir of Qatar Discuss Fraternal Ties, Regional and Global Developments

Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Emir of Qatar Discuss Fraternal Ties, Regional and Global Developments

Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)
Combined photo of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on the right, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the left. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call on Thursday from Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Saudi Press Agency said.

They discussed ways to strengthen fraternal ties between the two countries and addressed recent regional and international developments.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Thursday a cable of condolences to Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

He extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president and the family of the deceased.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Shahabuddin a similar cable.