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Saudi Crown Prince Begins Asia Tour in South Korea

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul (SPA)
    Bali - Seoul - Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Crown Prince Begins Asia Tour in South Korea

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has held talks with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, prospects for cooperation, and ways to develop and enhance them.

The Crown Prince began on Wednesday an official visit to South Korea, arriving from Indonesia, as part of his Asian tour that includes several countries.

An official reception ceremony was held for the Crown Prince, and the South Korean Prime Minister received him.

The talks were attended by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

The talks were also attended by State Minister and Adviser of National Security Musaed al-Aiban, Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media Majid al-Qasabi, Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih, Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal al-Ibrahim, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir al-Rumayyan, the Secretary of the Crown Prince, Bandar al-Rasheed, Saudi Ambassador to Korea, Sami al-Sadhan, and the official Korean delegation.

The Crown Prince concluded his visit to Indonesia after chairing the Saudi delegation at the G20 Leaders Summit held in Bali. He was seen off at the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Essam bin Abed al-Thaqafi, and several officials.

After his departure, Prince Mohammed cabled Indonesian President Joko Widodo, appreciating the warm reception and generous hospitality he and the accompanying delegation received.

He congratulated the President for the success of hosting the summit and the positive outcomes reached during Indonesia's presidency, stressing the importance of the reached decisions that "we hope to greatly contribute to supporting cooperation among G20 countries and boosting the rates of global economic growth."

The Crown Prince announced that Saudi Arabia would sponsor the restoration of the Islamic Center in Jakarta after large parts of it were damaged by a fire last month.

His announcement affirms his keenness and interest in Islamic centers in all brotherly and friendly countries because of their significant role in raising young generations and spreading Islam's tolerance and message based on peace, moderation, and dialogue.

The Center covers an area of 109,435 square meters and consists of many facilities, including a mosque with an area of 2,200 square meters, which accommodates more than 20,000 worshipers, a research studies center, and a conference hall.

The Muslim World League (MWL) appreciated the Crown Prince's announcement on restoring the Islamic Center.

MWL Sec-Gen Mohammad al-Issa, on behalf of the League and its international academies, bodies, and councils, thanked the Saudi leadership.

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Gulf

Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Bahrain strongly condemned on Wednesday continued attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia on civilian, economic, and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia.

A Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement denounced the militia's missile and drone launches toward Riyadh, Dhahran, Khamis Mushait and other areas, describing them as “a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability.”

The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures that Saudi Arabia takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability and protect citizens and residents.”

Bahrain underscored Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia's security and stability are integral to Bahrain's security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The statement reiterated Bahrain's call for the United Nations Security Council to take decisive measures to halt repeated Houthi terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in Saudi Arabia, hold those responsible and their supporters accountable.

It urged it to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby protecting civilians, ensuring the safety and security of air and maritime navigation, safeguarding energy supplies and global trade, and preserving regional and international peace and security.

Gulf

Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a telephone call from his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who expressed his country's condemnation of the brutal Houthi attacks against the Kingdom.

He underlined Italy's solidarity with the Kingdom and support for the measures it takes to safeguard its security.

He also underscored his country's gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their efforts to ensure the safety of residents in the Kingdom, including Italian nationals.

The FMs discussed regional and international developments and efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Straits, facilitating the smooth flow of international trade and preserving regional security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Colombia’s opening of its embassy in Jerusalem.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said the Kingdom deemed the move “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions and a direct infringement of the legal and historical status of the occupied city.”

“The Kingdom stresses that this step contradicts the established international position regarding the legal and historical status of Jerusalem,” it added.

“It reiterates its call to the international community, including the UN Security Council and all concerned parties, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities and to take urgent action to halt the illegal Israeli policies aimed at imposing a new reality by force and undermining prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace,” it said.

The Arab League also condemned Colombia’s move, describing it as a violation of relevant international resolutions. It said the move disregards the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which is part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine. 

It warned of the repercussions of the move, which was taken despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side.  

The decision runs counter to the international consensus on Jerusalem and infringes upon the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, it added. 

The legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that violate international law, it declared. 

It cited UN Security Council Resolution 478, which rejected measures aimed at altering the character and status of Jerusalem and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city.  

It also cited Resolution 2334, which affirmed that changes to the June 4, 1967 borders, including those concerning Jerusalem, would not be recognized unless agreed upon by the parties through negotiations. 

The Arab League stressed that relevant international resolutions, including those of the UN General Assembly, form the basis for addressing the issue of Jerusalem.  

“Unilateral measures affecting the city's legal or political status undermine peace efforts and weaken prospects for a just and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution,” it warned. 

The Arab League called on Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision and adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and relevant international resolutions. It emphasized that respecting Jerusalem's legal status is an international responsibility and that unilateral measures serve neither peace nor stability.