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Washington: Saudi Arabia’s Openness will Lead the Region to a Promising Future

People attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Fayez Nureldine / AFP
People attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Fayez Nureldine / AFP
    Riyadh - Abdul Hadi Habtoor, Shujaa al-Baqmi and Fatah al-Rahman Youssef
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Washington: Saudi Arabia’s Openness will Lead the Region to a Promising Future

People attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Fayez Nureldine / AFP
People attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s policy of openness and moderation would lead the region to a promising future.

Mnuchin was speaking on Wednesday during the Future Investment Initiative Conference, hosted by Riyadh.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia was the “most important partner in the region in combating the financing of terrorism,” adding that the Kingdom has banned associations that support terrorism and target those who fund al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and Taliban.

Mnuchin said that he came to Riyadh to celebrate the opening of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, which is co-chaired by the US and the Kingdom.

“The establishment of the center is a step forward to stop the funding of terrorist organizations,” he said.

“We have assigned individuals and parties to deal with the IRGC, the Iranian support for terrorist organizations, and human rights violations in Iran.”

Meanwhile, during the second day of the Investment Future Initiative in Riyadh, officials and economic experts discussed the future of capital investments, especially as the world entered a new era of sovereign wealth.

“We have entered a new era in the world of sovereign wealth. We can talk about the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which we are promoting with a range of investments that cover a wide spectrum of opportunities,” said Yasser Al-Rumyan, CEO of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

He pointed out that the PIF not only looks at traditional investments, but also at some developmental investments, and seeks to keep apace with latest changes in the world.

Khalid Al Rumaihi, Executive Chairman of the Economic Development Board and Chairman of the Bahrain Property Investment Committee, said: “We do not just look outside the market, but at the market itself. For example, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which explores opportunities in major cities and the development of the national economy, can do so on a commercial basis.”

Khaldoun Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, said: “There is confidence within sovereign funds clubs. There are relationships that go back to 20, 30 and 40 years. We also have funds operating in Europe, North America and elsewhere.”

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.

Gulf

Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.