Saudi FM: Regional Meddling Destabilizing the Region

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
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Saudi FM: Regional Meddling Destabilizing the Region

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stated on Monday that foreign meddling in Arab internal affairs were playing a destabilizing role through supporting armed terrorist militias and stoking sectarian and ethnic divisions.

Speaking before an Arab-Chinese ministerial virtual meeting, he stressed that such meddling demands a “serious stance” from the international community.

Saudi Arabia underscores the unity and sovereignty of Arab territories, he added, saying that Riyadh does not interfere in their internal affairs and opposes anything that destabilizes the region.

Moreover, Prince Faisal remarked that Arab-Chinese cooperation was growing stronger, noting that it is based on each side “respecting international law, the sovereignty and independence of nations and resolving conflicts through peaceful means.”

He said that both sides are keen on “expanding and deepening” cooperation in order to achieve mutual interests.

“Joint efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic are among the fruits of this cooperation,” he noted.

Prince Faisal hailed Beijing for its support to the Palestinian people’s rights, the 2002 Arab peace initiative and two-state solution.

On Saudi-Chinese relations, the minister said they are bound by “growing ties of friendship in all fields, which will pave the way for a comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Beijing is Riyadh’s greatest trade partner, he noted, representing 13 percent of the Kingdom’s exports and 15 percent of its imports.



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.


Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia and Slovenia signed on Friday a General Cooperation Agreement aimed at boosting cooperation across various fields.

The agreement was signed between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in Ljubljana.

The agreement also aims at intensifying joint efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the leadership and peoples of both countries toward further progress and prosperity, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.

Prince Faisal and Fajon held a meeting to discuss bilateral relations and means to develop them in various fields.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque on Friday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of attacks on places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood, stressing Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism.

It also extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

A suicide blast at a mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people and wounded scores more during Friday prayers.