GCC: Saudi Arabia Demonstrated its Pioneering Role through G20 Presidency

GCC chief Nayef al-Hajraf. (KUNA)
GCC chief Nayef al-Hajraf. (KUNA)
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GCC: Saudi Arabia Demonstrated its Pioneering Role through G20 Presidency

GCC chief Nayef al-Hajraf. (KUNA)
GCC chief Nayef al-Hajraf. (KUNA)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nayef al-Hajraf stressed on Saturday that Saudi Arabia demonstrated its pioneering and pivotal role through its presidency of the G20.

He hailed the major and extraordinary efforts that Saudi Arabia has exerted during its presidency for 2020 in spite of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

He noted that the Kingdom defied the challenges and held the meetings of the various working groups of the G20, which will boost global cooperation to confront future crises.

The presidency of the G20 is deserved and this great success is a landmark in the G20 path, he added.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz kicked off the G20 Leaders Summit on Saturday, describing 2020 as an “extraordinary year” and urging the leaders of the major economies to address the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rise to the challenge together.



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.