Saudi Arabia Celebrates 90th National Day as it Heads the G20

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. File photo
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. File photo
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Saudi Arabia Celebrates 90th National Day as it Heads the G20

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. File photo
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. File photo

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates on Wednesday its 90th national day, recalling the achievements it has made over the past nine decades, since its unification under King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, and until the current era under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

On this day in 1932, the third Saudi state was officially called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a royal decree was issued four days earlier, announcing the unification of the country.

The founding king exerted efforts to unify the country and establish a strong state with a prominent regional and international standing.

The Kingdom’s history goes back to long before the unification of Saudi Arabia. The first state, which extended from 1744 to 1818, began with the meeting that brought together the Emir of Diriyah at the time, Imam Muhammad bin Saud and Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab in 1744.

The second state was established by Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud from 1824 to 1891. Given this historical dimension, Saudi Arabia has nearly 300 years of age.

Today, Saudi Arabia continues to follow its mission and approach. The Kingdom is present in various sectors, as an important partner in facing most of the world’s challenges and a founding member of various international organizations such as the United Nations. It has also assumed this year’s presidency of the G20.

These partnerships, along with their international importance and role, have placed Saudi Arabia in a major position in peace-making. The Kingdom has also played a mediating role between rival states to unify their word, abolish hate rhetoric and stop the fighting. It continued to provide assistance to many afflicted countries around the world in billions that increased year after year.

Saudi Arabia has kept its cultural identity despite its international ties. The Kingdom has preserved and strengthened its image, language and culture at international organizations.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák.

They reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests and discussed regional and international developments, SPA reported.

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Slovak Republic, aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields.


Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”