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King Salman to Citizens: Doors, Ears Open

King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
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King Salman to Citizens: Doors, Ears Open

King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)
King Salman was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz launched the new projects of the New Taif at Salam Palace on Sunday by saying that “Our doors, our phones, and our ears are open for every citizen.”

“With the blessing of Allah, we endorse in principle and in accordance to the capacities available and accredited fiscal funds, praying Almighty to grace these projects with munificence and good returns,” he said.

The King was briefed on the New Taif projects by Advisor to Governor of Makkah Region Dr. Saad Mohammad Mareq who pointed out that the New Taif is located north-east of the current city of Taif on an area of about 1250 square kilometers and its total costs are estimated at about SR 11 billion.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of Taif Development Supreme Committee; Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the National Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, President of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and a number of ministers.

The General Authority for Civil Aviation has signed a contract to develop and operate the new Taif International Airport with a group of companies including Asiad, the Contractors Association Co. and Munich Airports Co.

The airport will be built on a 48 million square meter site 40 km from Taif and 117 km from Makkah and is expected to be operational by 2020. The touristic project will create 4,400 jobs and is expected to attract more than 260,000 visitors a year.

A consortium of global companies has been selected to design a business park called the Oasis of Technology, a joint venture between King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology and the Morganti Group. The 35 million square meter site will accommodate projects to assemble and manufacture Antonov aircraft, make solar panels and develop solar energy.

A new Industrial City, the first in Taif Province, will be built on an 11 million square meter site 55km from the city center and 29km from the airport. The first phase will include light, medium and heavy industries, and a vocational training center.

The new university will be built at Sysid National Park. It is composed of 16 separate projects over an area of 16.344.000 square meters.

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Gulf

Erdogan: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Eye Joint Investment in KAAN Fighter Jet

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
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Erdogan: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Eye Joint Investment in KAAN Fighter Jet

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Riyadh (Turkish Presidency). 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said work has begun on a defense cooperation agreement between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia that includes joint investment in the production of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet.

Erdogan said Türkiye’s progress in defense industries is being closely followed by Saudi Arabia, as well as by other countries, adding that Ankara is preparing to conclude significant agreements with Riyadh in this field.

Speaking to a group of Turkish journalists on his return from a regional tour that included Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with his remarks published on Thursday, Erdogan said: “We have received many positive comments on the Turkish fighter KAAN, and discussions are under way on joint investment with Saudi Arabia in this regard.”

He stressed that KAAN is not merely a combat aircraft but a symbol of Türkiye’s engineering capabilities and its determination to maintain an independent defense posture. He added that cooperation with Saudi Arabia in this area is likely to expand, including through joint investments.

In February 2024, Türkiye announced the successful first flight of its domestically produced fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries. With this milestone, Türkiye became one of only five countries capable of producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft and aims to export the jet.

KAAN is designed to carry out air-to-air combat missions and conduct precision strikes from internal weapons bays at supersonic speed.

Erdogan said he held “highly productive” talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Riyadh on Tuesday, noting that Saudi Arabia holds a special place for Türkiye in defense industries, transport, healthcare, investment, and construction services. Bilateral trade reached $8 billion in 2025, while Turkish contractors have completed more than 400 projects in the Kingdom worth a total of $30 billion.

He added that Saudi Arabia and Türkiye share aligned views on regional issues, stressing that both countries oppose any new war in the region and favor peace, stability, and calm, which he said would benefit all parties.

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Letter from Maldives President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Letter from Maldives President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a letter from Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on bilateral relations between their countries.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received the letter on Thursday during a meeting with Maldives Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Sareer at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Discussions during the meeting addressed bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest.

Gulf

Albudaiwi: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" tactical exercise serves to bolster Gulf security integration and embodies the unity and shared destiny of member states.

The statement was made Wednesday during Albudaiwi’s participation in the closing day of the exercise, held in Qatar. The event was attended by Qatari Interior Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with the GCC Ministers of Interior.

"This fourth edition of the drill, conducted by the GCC Ministries of Interior with the participation of specialized units from the friendly United States of America, is of paramount importance in supporting the collective Gulf security framework," the secretary-general said.

He stressed its role in enhancing coordination and integration among the respective ministries and elevating joint readiness and response to security challenges, thereby contributing to the consolidation of security and stability across the GCC.

He further highlighted that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" exercise reflects a mutual commitment to advancing security operational mechanisms, exchanging expertise and best practices, as well as unifying efforts to counter transnational risks and threats. He pointed out that such maneuvers constitute a fundamental pillar for strengthening institutional integration and security cooperation pathways among member states.

The secretary-general expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Interior of Qatar in hosting and organizing the exercise, noting that the extensive resources and capabilities provided were instrumental to its success.

Closing his remarks, he voiced his aspiration that the exercise achieves its strategic objectives, fulfilling the visions of leaders of the GCC states, and ensuring sustained security and stability for the peoples of the GCC.