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Riyadh: International Consultations to Contain 'Hezbollah'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian addresses a joint press conference with his Adel Al-Jubeir (right) in Riyadh, Thursday. — AFP
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian addresses a joint press conference with his Adel Al-Jubeir (right) in Riyadh, Thursday. — AFP
    Riyadh, Paris - Abdel-Hadi Habtoor, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Riyadh: International Consultations to Contain 'Hezbollah'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian addresses a joint press conference with his Adel Al-Jubeir (right) in Riyadh, Thursday. — AFP
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian addresses a joint press conference with his Adel Al-Jubeir (right) in Riyadh, Thursday. — AFP

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmad al-Jubeir, uncovered on Thursday ongoing international consultations to contain the role of “Hezbollah” in Lebanon, and stressed the need to disarm the party for the stability of Lebanon.

In a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Riyadh on Thursday, Jubeir said: "Consultations and coordination between peace-loving countries and Lebanon-loving countries are underway to try to find a way that would restore sovereignty to Lebanon and reduce the negative action which Hezbollah is conducting in Lebanon".

The Saudi Foreign Minister also said that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization of the highest order and must be disarmed.

"Hezbollah is a tool at the hands of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards," Jubeir said, adding that if Lebanon is able to refute the role of Hezbollah, it will be fine, but if this approach continues, instability will continue and the situation in Lebanon will be dangerous.

For his part, Le Drian said he discussed with his Saudi counterpart the behavior of Iran, raising concern over Tehran’s role in the region.

The French minister also echoed Riyadh's concerns over Iranian "intervention in regional crises" and "hegemonic" intentions.

“I'm thinking specifically about Iran's ballistic program," Le Drian said.

Commenting on accusations raised by President Michel Aoun claiming that Prime Minister Saad Hariri was being held in the Kingdom, Jubeir said those allegations were false and baseless.

“Hariri lives in the Kingdom by his own will and he resigned; regarding his return to Lebanon, it is up to him and his assessment to the security situation (in Lebanon).”

The Saudi minister also said that Hariri is a Saudi citizen as well as a Lebanese citizen.

“He visits the Kingdom and lives in the Kingdom on his own choice. He can leave the Kingdom when he wants," he added.

On Thursday, the French presidential palace announced that Hariri will be in Paris on Saturday and that he will be received by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee.

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Gulf

Saudi, Syrian FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Syria's Security, Economy

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Syrian FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Syria's Security, Economy

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Monday his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani.

They reviewed fraternal relations between their two countries and discussed developments in Syria.

They also tackled ways to support Syria's security and economy in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of its people.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Sudan's Unity, Security

A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Sudan's Unity, Security

A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia reiterated on Monday its unwavering support for the unity, security, and stability of Sudan, stressing the need to preserve its legitimate state institutions.

The Kingdom demanded that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) immediately cease their violations and adhere to their moral and humanitarian obligations. This includes ensuring the delivery of relief aid to those in need, in line with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration to Protect Civilians in Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.

Saudi Arabia delivered its statement during the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner for Human Rights' oral briefing regarding the situation in and around El-Fasher. The Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva participated in the session.

Delivering the statement, Permanent Representative Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila reiterated the Kingdom's "strong condemnation of the grave human rights violations committed during the RSF's attacks on El-Fasher."

He specifically highlighted "recent criminal attacks on health facilities, relief convoys, and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of displaced persons and unarmed civilians, including women and children."

Gulf

Saudi Arabia's KSrelief Inaugurates Maternity Clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in Central Gaza

KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia's KSrelief Inaugurates Maternity Clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in Central Gaza

KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) inaugurated on Monday the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza.

Implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the project marks the completion of restoration and rehabilitation work following extensive damage sustained during the conflict with Israel, which had forced the facility to close.

The clinic's rehabilitation is part of a broader initiative to ensure access to essential services and promote maternal and newborn health among the affected population in Gaza.

The project targets the rehabilitation and support of women's and maternity departments in three major hospitals: Friends of the Patient Hospital, Al-Khair Hospital, and Al-Awda Hospital. It aims to improve the quality of reproductive health services and ensure pregnant and lactating women have access to safe healthcare.

The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts, through KSrelief, to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people and provide essential services amid the significant challenges facing the health sector in Gaza.