Saudi Govt Underscores Keenness on Stability, Development of Region

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Underscores Keenness on Stability, Development of Region

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government met on Tuesday to discuss the latest regional and international developments and the security and peace challenges facing the international community.

The cabinet underlined the great importance the Kingdom places on consolidating stability in the region to achieve development and prosperity in the Middle East and entire world.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The ministers were briefed on the messages Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed received from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh.

They were also briefed on the meeting held between Crown Prince Mohammed and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday. The leaders discussed the close and historic bilateral relations between their countries and cooperation between them and ways to bolster and develop it in various fields.

In a statement after the cabinet meeting, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said the ministers discussed the state's latest developments in foreign policy, in terms of strengthening cooperation with fraternal and friendly countries and working to boost relations to serve common interests.

The cabinet highlighted the security agreements signed between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom within the framework of the two countries' partnership and historical relations.

On domestic affairs, the cabinet reviewed the general performance indicators of development paths, including a decrease in the unemployment rate among Saudis to 8.0% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 9.9% in the third quarter of the same year.

This was attributed to the plans and initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the reforms, legislation, and launch of promising sectors that contributed to the highest labor force participation rate, despite economic conditions in most countries worldwide.



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
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Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.