Khalid bin Salman: We Will Raise Level of GCC Armed Forces Against Threats

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman: We Will Raise Level of GCC Armed Forces Against Threats

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman emphasized the significance of strengthening many facets among the Gulf states to protect these nations' resources and the benefits of their peoples, advance their accomplishments, and realize the leaders' ambitions and objectives.

Prince Khalid highlighted the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to raise the level of its armed forces to act as a shield against risks and threats, establish regional security and stability, and defend national interests and economic resources.

Prince Khalid chaired the 19th meeting of the GCC Joint Defense Council for the Ministers of Defense, with the participation of GCC Defense Ministers, Secretary General Nayef al-Hajraf, and the Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command, Lt-Gen Eid al-Shalawi.

The meeting addressed the joint military action stated on the agenda while the participants made essential decisions and recommendations.

The Saudi minister conveyed the greetings and appreciation of the Saudi leadership, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Pleased to chair the 19th GCC Joint Defense Council today. We reviewed various aspects of our cooperation, reaffirmed our joint efforts to bolster defense coordination between us against common threats, and explored ways to preserve peace, security, and stability in the region," tweeted Prince Khalid.

The Saudi Defense Minister thanked his GCC counterparts and the Secretary-General for their sincere efforts to create and improve the GCC defense action.

He further expressed the hope that these initiatives would successfully achieve the welfare of the GCC's citizens and nations and maintain the GCC security and safety under the guidance of the GCC leaders.



Syrian Air Says It Is Resuming Its Direct Flights to UAE on Sunday

 Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
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Syrian Air Says It Is Resuming Its Direct Flights to UAE on Sunday

 Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)
Travellers are welcomed at Damascus's airport. (AFP file)

Syria's flag carrier Syrian Air will resume direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates starting on Sunday, the airline said in a Facebook post.

All flights between Syria and the UAE had been suspended in January after opposition factions toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The announcement comes days after the UAE's civil aviation authority announced the resumption of air flights between the Gulf country and Syria. No UAE-based airlines have announced plans to fly to Syria so far.

The resumption of flights between the two countries followed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s first visit to the UAE as leader, where he met UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.