Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
TT

Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, which mobilizes 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the plan in the presence of the minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the director of the General Directorate of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Bassami.

Al-Sudais pointed to the plan being based on ten main axes related to strategic goals stemming from Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Moreover, he said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Al-Sudais said that all services and programs were being followed up minute by minute to ensure the highest quality, through a set of indicators supervised by the presidency around the clock.

In addition, the presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles a day in the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafah would be translated into 10 different languages.

He noted that this year’s Hajj season follows two exceptional seasons in which Saudi Arabia showed resounding success in crisis management under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the “heinous” attacks carried out by Iran and its proxies on a number of vital facilities in Kuwait.

A ministry statement said on Saturday that “the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of these attacks,” which undermine Kuwait’s sovereignty and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the UN charter.

“Such violations erode international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the region,” said the statement.

The ministry called on Iran and its proxies to “cease all hostile acts against Arab and Islamic countries” and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.”

The Kingdom also expressed its full solidarity with Kuwait, its government and people, and reaffirmed its full support for all measures undertaken by Kuwait to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.


Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Defense has announced the arrival of a military force from Pakistan at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector, acting in line with the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed between the two countries.

The force, which includes fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistani Air Force, aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces to further support regional and international security and stability.


Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran. 

In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.” 

“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added. 

“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron. 

Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.” 

The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.” 

Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.  

He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France. 

Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted ‌to ‌him the ‌importance ⁠of de-escalating the current ⁠situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan. 

"I stressed the need for ⁠Iran to restore ‌freedom ‌of navigation and ‌security in the ‌Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which ‌France stands ready to contribute. ⁠I ⁠insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X. 

“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.”