Saudi-Russian Summit Opens Door for Partnership… Agreements Worth Several Billion Dollars

Saudi King and Putin hold official talks in Moscow on Thursday/SPA
Saudi King and Putin hold official talks in Moscow on Thursday/SPA
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Saudi-Russian Summit Opens Door for Partnership… Agreements Worth Several Billion Dollars

Saudi King and Putin hold official talks in Moscow on Thursday/SPA
Saudi King and Putin hold official talks in Moscow on Thursday/SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stressed Thursday the importance of bilateral cooperation between his country and Russia during a historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow.

In a speech delivered during official talks held with Putin in the Russian capital, King Salman said: “We are confident that there are vast opportunities for expanding and diversifying economic cooperation between our countries and establishing an economic, commercial and investment base in order to increase exploitation and consolidate the relative advantages in the interest of the two countries.”

For his part, Putin highlighted the importance of the King’s visit to Russia and the talks made between the two sides, describing them as rich and trustworthy.

“I am confident that the visit will give a fresh impetus to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries,” Putin said.

In Russia, King Salman also called on Iran to “stop interference in the region's affairs and destabilizing the region,” stressing that the security and stability of the Gulf region and the Middle East are an absolute necessity for achieving international security and stability.

The King concluded his speech by officially inviting the Russian president to visit the Kingdom and to continue consultations towards the issues of common interest and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

The Saudi-Russian Summit saw the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding and joint investment deals worth several billion dollars for the establishment of Saudi-Russian platforms in the fields of military, energy, space, commerce, communication, technology, culture and investment.

Meanwhile, during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia and Russia agree on the need to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and state institutions.

The Saudi foreign minister also uncovered that his country is working closely with Russia on uniting Syria’s opposition.

“We are certain that the further strengthening of Russian-Saudi relations will have a positive impact on strengthening stability and security in the region and the world,” Al-Jubeir said.



KSrelief Implements Volunteer General Surgery Medical Project in Gaza Strip

This project is an extension of the volunteer medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief - SPA
This project is an extension of the volunteer medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief - SPA
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KSrelief Implements Volunteer General Surgery Medical Project in Gaza Strip

This project is an extension of the volunteer medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief - SPA
This project is an extension of the volunteer medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief - SPA

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is implementing a volunteer general surgery medical project at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the Gaza Strip, running from December 5 to 31.

Since the start of the campaign, the KSrelief volunteer medical team has performed 150 surgical operations, all of which were successful. In addition, 300 people benefited from medical examinations and outpatient clinic services, SPA reported.

This project is an extension of the volunteer medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to assist countries and communities in need, as well as those affected worldwide.


Over 68 Million Visitors to Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al Akhira

The authority uses advanced sensor technology to monitor the number of worshippers and pilgrims among visitors at the main entrances - SPA
The authority uses advanced sensor technology to monitor the number of worshippers and pilgrims among visitors at the main entrances - SPA
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Over 68 Million Visitors to Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al Akhira

The authority uses advanced sensor technology to monitor the number of worshippers and pilgrims among visitors at the main entrances - SPA
The authority uses advanced sensor technology to monitor the number of worshippers and pilgrims among visitors at the main entrances - SPA

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that the total number of worshippers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al Akhira 1447 AH reached 68,741,853.

The authority said that the number of worshippers at the Grand Mosque totaled 30,016,073, including 94,776 worshippers in Hijr Ismail (Al-Hateem), while the number of Umrah performers reached 11,863,477, SPA reported.

It noted that the number of worshippers at the Prophet’s Mosque during the same month reached 23,116,271, including 1,319,653 worshippers in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa. Meanwhile, 2,331,603 visitors greeted the Prophet and his two companions.

The authority uses advanced sensor technology to monitor the number of worshippers and pilgrims among visitors at the main entrances of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

This step aims to enhance operational efficiency by monitoring flows and crowds, empowering relevant authorities to manage crowds in partnership with associated entities better.


Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra
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Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Thursday expressing concern over the recent military movements witnessed in the governorates of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra.

It noted that “the actions carried out by the Southern Transitional Council were taken unilaterally, without the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council or coordination with the coalition leadership”.

The Kingdom described the moves as an “unjustified escalation” that has harmed the interests of the Yemeni people across all segments of society, undermined the Southern cause, and weakened the coalition’s efforts.

The Kingdom further emphasized that, in recent months, it has focused on maintaining unity and has undertaken intensive efforts to reach peaceful solutions to address the situation in the two governorates, as part of its ongoing endeavors to restore stability.

The statement added that these efforts were “coordinated with the brethren United Arab Emirates, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government to contain the situation”.

It said that a “joint Saudi–Emirati military team was dispatched to coordinate with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, ensuring the withdrawal of its forces from the two governorates and the handover of camps to the National Shield Forces and local authorities under the coalition’s supervision”.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that efforts are still underway to restore the situation to its previous state, expressing the Kingdom’s hope that the public interest will prevail and that the Southern Transitional Council will take the initiative to de-escalate tensions and urgently and peacefully withdraw its forces from the two governorates.

Saudi Arabia also underscored the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni forces and components, exercising restraint, and avoiding actions that could undermine security and stability.

The Kingdom reiterated its position that the “Southern cause is a just issue with historical and social dimensions and can only be resolved through dialogue that brings all Yemeni parties together at one table, within a comprehensive political process that ensures a lasting solution in Yemen”.

The statement concluded by affirming the Kingdom’s “support for the Chairman and members of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, in a manner that achieves security, stability, development, and peace in the sisterly Republic of Yemen”.