Khalid bin Salman: Defense Ministry Will Continue Development in Line with Crown Prince’s Vision

Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT
20

Khalid bin Salman: Defense Ministry Will Continue Development in Line with Crown Prince’s Vision

Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Newly named Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stressed on Wednesday that the Defense Ministry had enjoyed the attention of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman when he acted as its minister.

In his first remarks since his appointment to his post, he vowed that the Ministry will continue along Crown Prince Mohammed’s vision and the path he laid out.

In a tweet, he praised the trust shown by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed in his appointment, asking God Almighty to support him in serving his religious, leadership and nation.

King Salman issued a Royal Decree on Tuesday that named Crown Prince Mohammed prime minister and Prince Khalid defense minister.

Prince Khalid underlined the vision for the development of the ministry that was outlined by Crown Prince Mohammed under his leadership.

The ministry had enjoyed great interest and direct supervision by the Crown Prince that led to the launch of its development program, he noted.

This reflects his faith in the importance of developing its capabilities and staying abreast of military development according to the highest standards, stressed Prince Khalid.

He vowed that the ministry will continue to forge ahead along the path outlined by the Crown Prince “so that it will be transformed into a modern institution with professional military forces that can protect the nation and its interests.”



Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
TT
20

Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt is intensifying its measures to prevent another crisis of illegal Hajj pilgrims, which had taken place in 2024 when thousands of people exploited visas to enter Saudi Arabia to illegally perform the Hajj.

Egyptian authorities had warned companies against flying travelers without the right visa. Coordination and communication are ongoing with Saudi authorities over the issue.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei for talks on the measures Cairo is taking ahead of the upcoming Hajj season to avoid another crisis.

Egypt has formed a committee, headed by the prime minister, to manage the Hajj crisis.

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said the ambassador stressed that firm measures will be taking against companies that commit violations related to the Hajj.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formed a “crisis cell” that has referred 16 officials from a tourism company to the general prosecution for Hajj violations.

Egyptian authorities have hailed Saudi Arabia for providing all forms of support to legal pilgrims during the Hajj.

Member of the parliamentary tourism committee Ahmed Idriss said state agencies have taken measures to avert a new Hajj crisis in 2025.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said efforts have focused on combating fake entities that claim to be organizing Hajj trips, and on coordinating with Saudi authorities to crackdown on violators.