Saudi Arabia's Kattan Tours Africa to Bolster Ties, Sign Agreements

Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Kattan - AAWSAT AR
Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Kattan - AAWSAT AR
TT

Saudi Arabia's Kattan Tours Africa to Bolster Ties, Sign Agreements

Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Kattan - AAWSAT AR
Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Kattan - AAWSAT AR

Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ahmed Kattan will tour several African countries to sign the general cooperation agreement and the memorandum of understanding for political consultation.

He will first visit Uganda, followed by Senegal and Guinea Bissau, as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen relations with these countries.

Kattan said this tour comes under the directives of the Saudi leadership to consolidate relations with African countries.

It also complements the tours he made to several African countries at the beginning of this year including Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire.

In December, Kattan visited Central Africa, Congo-Brazzaville, Angola, and Zambia. He also visited Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Madagascar.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Africa developed more extensively with the start of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz leadership.

Its impact was evident in the boom in relations and initiatives to enhance partnerships. Riyadh assigned a minister for African affairs to establish stronger political ties, new security connections, and institutional frameworks with many African countries.

Saudi-African relations are deepening within the scope of non-diplomatic relations, including all aspects of international economic, financial, scientific, educational, cultural, media, and social ties. They aim to address the imbalance of living conditions, environmental problems, food shortages, and the pandemic affecting African peoples.

Saudi Arabia also launched mediation efforts to resolve the conflicts facing African states.



Qatar, Jordan Condemn Iran’s Attacks on the Region, Urge De-Escalation

This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
TT

Qatar, Jordan Condemn Iran’s Attacks on the Region, Urge De-Escalation

This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned on Tuesday Iran’s attacks in the region, urging an immediate cessation of all military actions.

Sheikh Tamim welcomed the monarch in Doha for talks on regional developments and Iran’s blatant attacks against Qatar, Jordan and other countries in the region, reported Qatar’s state news agency QNA.

Sheikh Tamim stressed Qatar’s solidarity with Jordan, saying it supports all measures it takes to defend its sovereignty and security and to ensure the safety of its citizens. For his part, King Abdullah reiterated his country's solidarity and full support for all measures taken by Qatar to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.

They underscored the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to de-escalate and contain the ongoing tensions, and to work through diplomatic channels and dialogue to address crises in a way that helps prevent further deterioration in the region and boosts prospects for security and stability.

They discussed a host of regional and international issues of mutual concern, stressing the importance of continuing coordination and consultation between their two countries, especially in light of current developments and their implications for the region's security and stability.


Saudi, Algerian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
TT

Saudi, Algerian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Tuesday a telephone call from his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf.

They discussed the latest regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address them.


Saudi Interior Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Gulf Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Interior Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Gulf Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz held on Tuesday a telephone call with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi.

They discussed regional developments in light of the heinous Iranian attacks targeting the security and stability of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the region.

Prince Abdulaziz underscored the strength of the fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Oman and the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation to boost security and stability in the region and to preserve the safety and security of citizens and residents.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s solidarity with Oman and support for all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

Earlier, Prince Abdulaziz held separate telephone talks with Qatari Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the United Arab Emirates’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional developments in wake of the Iranian attacks.

Discussions focused on bolstering coordination and cooperation to promote security and stability in the region, ensuring the safety of citizens and residents.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed Saudi Arabia's support for Qatar and the UAE and its backing of all measures they take to maintain their security and stability.

Prince Abdulaziz also received a telephone call from his Iraqi counterpart Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Kamel Al-Shammari.

They reviewed regional developments, with Al-Shammari stressing Iraq's keenness on the Kingdom's security and safety.