Saudi King, Crown Prince Receive Congratulations from Interior Minister on Hajj Success

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Mina where he oversaw the organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Mina where he oversaw the organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA)
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Saudi King, Crown Prince Receive Congratulations from Interior Minister on Hajj Success

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Mina where he oversaw the organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA)
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Mina where he oversaw the organization of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed on Monday his satisfaction with the success of this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage.

His stance came in reply to a cable he received from Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, congratulating the monarch on the successful pilgrimage.

King Salman added that he received positive feedback from pilgrims and officials from various countries over the major security, health and organizational services that have been provided at the Hajj.

He stressed that he was honored to serve the two holy mosques and their visitors, thanking in a cable the princes of various regions, all officials at the Interior Ministry and members of the civil and military sectors for their efforts in organizing the Hajj.

For his part, the Minister of Interior credited the pilgrimage’s success to King Salman’s wise guidance, the follow up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the dedication of security forces, the Defense Ministry, national guard and intelligence services, as well as all government and civil organizations associated with the Hajj.

He revealed that 2,352,122 pilgrims performed this year’s Hajj, marking a rise of 26 percent from last year, saying that they performed the rituals smoothly and without incident.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, sent a cable in reply to the Minister of Interior. He expressed his great gratitude for his efforts and those of the princes of all regions in making the Hajj a success.

He also thanked the security forces, the military sector and civil and government agencies that were part of organizing the Hajj.



President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
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President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi issued a presidential decree on Tuesday nullifying the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the decision on the transfer of power, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the powers granted to it under the constitution, according to the Yemen News Agency (Saba).

Article Two of the decree mandates that all UAE forces and personnel withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, according to SPA.

Article Three instructs the Homeland Shield forces to assume control of all military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.


Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability.

The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas, SPA reported.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council.

It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."


Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Tuesday a written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin on bilateral ties between their countries.

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The officials reviewed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts exerted to address them.