'Spying Cell' in Saudi Arabia Sought Foreign Financing

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
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'Spying Cell' in Saudi Arabia Sought Foreign Financing

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas
Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas

Members of a “spying cell,” arrested by Saudi Arabia’s state security presidency two days ago, sought to “incite strife by communicating with foreign entities hostile to Saudi Arabia and to establish a false legal organization, according to information received by Asharq Al-Awsat from informed sources.

The sources said most suspects of this cell claim to have religious obligations and were using human rights as a pretext to violate the country’s systems. One of the arrested suspects had volunteered to defend people who tried to produce chaos and incite strife inside the Kingdom, according to the sources.

Another member of the cell had contacted a foreign entity “hostile to Saudi Arabia, to receive financial support in exchange of continuing to incite trouble.”

Dr. Ibrahim al-Nahas, member of Shura Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday that the Kingdom is capable to overpass many security challenges thanks to the vigilance of its security apparatus.

For his part, Dr. Yusuf Al-Rumaih, professor of criminology at Al- Qassim University told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Saudi Arabia is a state built on the basis of justice and it enshrines the principal of equality of all persons before the law.”

Earlier, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the security spokesman of the Presidency of State Security as saying that 7 people have been arrested for suspicious communication with foreign entities and actions against the state.



It said authorities detected coordinated activities by a group of people, who carried out an organized work to violate the religious and national principles of the state.

“They also had communications with foreign entities to support their activities and also sought to recruit persons working in sensitive government posts as well as providing financial support to hostile elements abroad with the objective of undermining the Kingdom’s security and stability, its social peace and national cohesion,” the spokesperson added.



Saudi Arabia, Ireland Agree to Strengthen Air Transport Cooperation

The record of discussions relates to air transport services between Saudi Arabia and Ireland - SPA
The record of discussions relates to air transport services between Saudi Arabia and Ireland - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Ireland Agree to Strengthen Air Transport Cooperation

The record of discussions relates to air transport services between Saudi Arabia and Ireland - SPA
The record of discussions relates to air transport services between Saudi Arabia and Ireland - SPA

President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al‑Duailej signed a record of discussions on Monday at GACA headquarters in Riyadh with the Irish Aviation Authority, represented by Irish Ambassador Gerry Cunningham.

The record of discussions relates to air transport services between Saudi Arabia and Ireland and aligns with the principles outlined in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, SPA reported.

It will help establish a regulatory framework for air transport services between the two countries, fostering bilateral cooperation based on mutual benefit, mutual respect, and compliance with the laws, regulations, and procedures in force in both Saudi Arabia and Ireland.


OIC Hails US-Iran Agreement to End Military Operations and Restore Hormuz Navigation

OIC Hails US-Iran Agreement to End Military Operations and Restore Hormuz Navigation
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OIC Hails US-Iran Agreement to End Military Operations and Restore Hormuz Navigation

OIC Hails US-Iran Agreement to End Military Operations and Restore Hormuz Navigation

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the agreement reached on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and restore security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state.

The secretariat expressed appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and Qatar, as well as other countries that helped facilitate dialogue and narrow differences between the parties, according to SPA.

It expressed hope that the agreement will be fully implemented and that all relevant parties will engage seriously in upcoming rounds of negotiations to address all outstanding issues and preserve security and stability in the region.


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Iranian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (file photo)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (file photo)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Iranian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (file photo)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (file photo)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi.

During the call, Prince Faisal welcomed the agreement reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America to end military operations and commence detailed negotiations to reach a permanent agreement, expressing the Kingdom’s aspiration to achieve peace that enhances the security of the region and the world, SPA reported.

The two ministers also reviewed regional developments and underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to achieve lasting and sustainable stability in the region.