Saudi Arabia, Jordan Agree on Regional Issues, Reject Iranian, Turkish Interventions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian FM Ayman Al-Safadi hold a joint press conference. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian FM Ayman Al-Safadi hold a joint press conference. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Jordan Agree on Regional Issues, Reject Iranian, Turkish Interventions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian FM Ayman Al-Safadi hold a joint press conference. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian FM Ayman Al-Safadi hold a joint press conference. (SPA)

The kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Jordan enjoy a common vision on a host of regional issues like finding a just and comprehensive settlement for the Palestinian cause, resolving crises in Yemen, Syria, Libya and Lebanon, and upholding the rejection of Iranian and Turkish interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister received his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed bilateral relations and ways to support and promote them in a way that served common interests. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said: “We discussed the situation in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Libya, as well as Iranian and Turkish interventions in the affairs of the region’s states and Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom and Jordan’s views on these issues are compatible, and coordination between the two countries is based on the highest standards.”

The prince also said that the visit of Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi was aimed at enhancing the special relations between the two countries, and coordinating and consulting on the regional and international issues that interested both countries.

The two top diplomats highlighted the ongoing efforts towards furthering cooperation in various fields, voicing the two kingdoms’ determination to strengthen bilateral ties, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Talks also went over the preparations for the formation of a joint committee to develop practical steps to advance economic cooperation.

Reviewing the latest regional developments, Safadi and Prince Faisal reviewed the Amman-Riyadh coordination and consultation towards resolving regional crises and achieving security and stability.

Talks also emphasized the importance of bolstering joint Arab action and cooperation, the statement said.

For his part, Safadi said that the relationship between Jordan and Saudi Arabia is “historical and strategic,” adding that the two countries are working together to achieve security and stability in the region.

Safadi expressed thanks for Riyadh's support for Jordan to face the economic challenges, stressing that Saudi Arabia’s security is an integral part of Jordan’s security.

“We agree on rejecting foreign interference in Arab affairs, whatever the source is. To end tension in the region, especially with regard to Iran, we must address all the reasons beyond this tension, including interference in Arab affairs,” Safadi said.



Saudi Arabia Lifts Early Warning Alerts Issued in Ten Cities

Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Lifts Early Warning Alerts Issued in Ten Cities

Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Civil Defense (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Civil Defense sent an all clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for potential ⁠danger in several cities of the kingdom as part of emergency procedures to alert residents.

The alerts included Riyadh, al-Kharj, Khamis Mushait, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, AlUla, Jazan, Farasan and Abha.

The sirens had been activated in those cities and governorates as part of the emergency early warning system before the Civil Defense later declared that the danger had passed.

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of refraining from circulating rumors and videos from unknown sources, emphasizing that information related to emergency situations should be obtained from official sources. Residents should comply with instructions and guidance issued by the relevant authorities, it added.


Saudi Electronic University Renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman

Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
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Saudi Electronic University Renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman

Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)
Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman (King Abdulaziz Foundation)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered the Saudi Electronic University in Riyadh renamed after Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman, following a recommendation by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The directive honors Prince Musaid bin Abdulrahman for his distinguished service and contributions as one of the Kingdom’s prominent statesmen.

Prince Musaid, a brother of Saudi Arabia’s founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, was born at Al-Hukm Palace in Riyadh in 1918. He studied at one of the capital’s leading traditional Quranic schools before attending lessons in Islamic studies and Arabic under several prominent scholars.

He held a series of senior government positions, serving as an adviser to King Saud bin Abdulaziz, president of the Board of Grievances in 1954, state auditor before the establishment of the General Auditing Bureau, royal adviser and Cabinet member in 1957, interior minister in 1960, and minister of finance and national economy in 1962. He died in Riyadh on Dec. 9, 1986.

Commitment to knowledge

Prince Musaid was known from an early age for his interest in education, knowledge and culture. In 1944, he established Riyadh’s first public library inside his palace, assembling a collection of valuable books and manuscripts and opening it to students and visitors.

Renaming the university, established in Riyadh in 2011, is intended to carry forward that intellectual legacy and preserve the memory of a national figure closely associated with education and public service.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman referred to Prince Musaid’s forward-looking ideas in a 2021 television interview, recalling a real estate development proposal he had put forward more than five decades earlier.

The Crown Prince said the proposal, raised during the reign of King Faisal and the beginning of King Khalid’s reign, faced opposition from ministers and officials who resisted allowing greater private-sector involvement.

He said the rejection contributed to poor urban planning and services in Saudi housing developments, adding that had the proposal been implemented at the time, Saudi Arabia could have developed some of the world’s largest real estate companies. He cited ROSHN as a company now seeking to help meet housing demand in the Kingdom.

Honoring his legacy

Prince Musaid’s public service has previously been commemorated. In 2017, the General Auditing Bureau named the main hall at its new Riyadh headquarters after him, honoring his role as the bureau’s first president and his contribution to establishing its administrative and professional foundations.

At the hall’s inauguration in early 2018, Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz paid tribute to Prince Musaid’s work and his role in laying the foundations for the institution’s approach.

Dr. Mohammed bin Yahya Mardi, president of the newly renamed university, said the name carries national and academic significance and reflects the leadership’s recognition of Prince Musaid’s contributions to the Kingdom.

Mardi noted that the prince’s longstanding interest in education, culture, and knowledge aligns with the university’s mission to build capabilities and expand access to learning.

He said the university would continue pursuing excellence and innovation while strengthening its national impact, drawing inspiration from the intellectual and national legacy associated with Prince Musaid’s name.

Mardi added that continued government support has helped drive significant advances in Saudi higher education, enabling universities to develop human capital, advance knowledge, serve society and contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

 

 


Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif
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Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab, Regional Officials Condemn Houthi Attacks on Taif

Arab and regional officials and organizations condemned on Friday the recent Houthi attacks targeting Taif, expressing solidarity with those affected and stressing the need to respect international law and protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Condemnations poured in from the GCC secretary-general, Arab interior ministers, the Arab League, the Muslim World League and several countries, including Syria, Mauritania, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Kenya, over the Houthi attacks.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the drone attack describing it as a heinous assault.

Falling debris from the drone killed one person and injured others, while also causing material damage, SPA said.

The condemnations emphasized that Houthi attacks on civilian areas represented a dangerous escalation and violation of international law, calling for firm international action to halt the attacks, hold those responsible accountable and protect civilians.

They reiterated their firm solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting threats to its security and territorial integrity, affirming support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its sovereignty, citizens and residents.