Saudi-Bahraini Cooperation Council Raises Representation Level

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince, will chair the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince, will chair the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi-Bahraini Cooperation Council Raises Representation Level

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince, will chair the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince, will chair the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Council of Ministers, headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, decided on Wednesday to negotiate with Bahrain to raise the level of representation for the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, to be headed by the crown princes of the two countries.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa welcomed the Saudi decision and emphasized “the solid historical ties that unite the two countries, based on strong foundations of brotherhood, common visions and mutual understanding and coordination.”

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince, renewed his keenness to achieve the vision of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, by strengthening relations between the two countries through the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council, in order to “further consolidate the distinguished relations between the two leaderships and brotherly peoples at all levels and achieve a more prosperous future that meets ambitions and aspirations.”

He also praised the efforts deployed by Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to strengthen joint relations and push them towards a broader horizon of bilateral cooperation and coordination.

For his part, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, highly valued the step to rise the representation level of Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, stressing that the close ties between the two kingdoms were based on appreciation and mutual respect between the two leaderships and peoples.

In July 2019, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain announced the establishment of their Coordination Council that would be tasked with coordinating various political, military, economic, investment, media and social stances.

“The Council is important for enhancing coordination, cooperation and complementary between the two countries in various political, economic, investment, development, military and security fields, as well as in following up on the progress of work in all joint projects and initiatives, within the two kingdoms’ deep-rooted relations,” the Bahraini King said.



Kuwait Foils Biggest Drug Operation in Its History

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Foils Biggest Drug Operation in Its History

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced on Wednesday the foiling of the largest drug bust in Kuwait's history, consisting of approximately 5 tons of raw "Lyrica" powder and nearly 4 million capsules ready for sale, worth around 150 million Kuwaiti dinars, or around $486.8 million US dollars.

Speaking as part of a national drug prevention campaign, he said that Tuesday's bust also included an integrated factory for producing the psychotropic substance Lyrica, alongside equipment for filling and distributing capsules.

The bust reflects the magnitude of the danger of drugs to society, he added.

"The quantity seized was ready to be sold, but the suspect did not act to distribute it out of fear of falling under the jurisdiction of the new law."

Al-Yousef stressed that the new drug law "has contributed to boosting deterrence, making drug dealers think twice before attempting to harm any citizen or resident on Kuwaiti soil."

"Combating drugs is at the forefront of the Ministry of Interior's priorities, which continues to crack down on smugglers and distributors, tighten surveillance and seizure measures, and dry up the sources of this scourge," he said.


Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Tragic PIMS Hospital Fire in Pakistan

People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Tragic PIMS Hospital Fire in Pakistan

People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of those who died, as well as to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, following the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad, which claimed the lives of several newborn babies, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry said Saudi Arabia stands in solidarity with the victims' families and the government and people of Pakistan following this tragic incident, wishing Pakistan and its people security and safety.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome of the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian Arab Republic's military institutions, noting that the move would contribute to enhancing security and stability in Syria and for its brotherly people, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry said that the Kingdom reiterates its support for the steps taken by the Syrian government to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people and continue the path toward unity and development.

The Kingdom also wished the Syrian Arab Republic and its brotherly people security, peace, and prosperity.