Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
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Sultan of Oman Restructures Defense, National Security Councils

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. (Reuters)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said issued on Monday three royal decrees that restructures the Defense and National Security Councils.

The Sultan had recently introduced a number of amendments that included the creation of the position of crown prince.

The first decree stipulates that the Defense Council will be restructured under the chairmanship of The Sultan, the Supreme Commander, reported the Oman news agency (ONA).

The council will include the deputy prime minister for defense affairs, minister of the Royal Office, head of Office of the Supreme Commander, head of Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The decree stipulates that the Defense Council will specialize in reviewing all issues related to safeguarding and defending the Sultanate’s safety and will convene when it is deemed necessary to declare the State of Public Mobilization, reported ONA.

The second decree orders the restructuring of the National Security Council under the chairmanship of the Sultan, the Supreme Commander.

It will include the Minister of the Royal Office, head of the Office of the Supreme Commander, head of the Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, head of the Internal Security Service, inspector-general of Police and Customs and chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The Council may call for the attendance of whomever it might consider appropriate other than its members.

The third decree covered military promotions and appointments, following up on last week’s royal orders.

Monday’s decree promoted Brigadier Nasser Saleh Saud al-Ma'awali to the rank of Major General and appointed him as Secretary General of the National Security Council in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Sulaiman Khalid Sulaiman al-Zakwani was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Secretary General of the Military Affairs in the Royal Office.

Brigadier Salim Ali Badr al-Hosni was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman.

Brigadier Mussalam Mohammed Taman Ja'abob was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Commander of the Sultan's Special Force.

Major General Abdullah Ali Hamad al-Harthy was appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations.

Brigadier Khalifa Ali Nasser al-Siyabi was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Administrative and Financial Affairs.



Mohammed bin Salman Takes Prince William on Tour of Diriyah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Mohammed bin Salman Takes Prince William on Tour of Diriyah

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif, February 9, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, took on Monday Britain’s Prince William on a tour of Diriyah in the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Prince William had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday for a first official visit, aimed at deepening economic cooperation. 

He was greeted at the airport by the deputy governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The trip, which will wrap up on Wednesday, aims to celebrate growing trade, energy and investment ties ahead of the two nations marking a century of diplomatic relations. 

William, a keen environmentalist, is also set to visit the historic city of AlUla, where he will learn about conservation efforts, according to Kensington Palace. 


World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia Committed to Building Advanced, Competitive Defense Industry

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
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World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia Committed to Building Advanced, Competitive Defense Industry

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA
The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains - SPA

The World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, which is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), entered its second day on Monday with a strong focus on innovation and defense integration, supporting national industrial development and the advancement of future capabilities.

GAMI Governor Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali delivered keynotes reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to building an advanced, globally competitive defense industry.

He stated that Saudi Arabia continues to invest in a defense industry built on innovation and partnership, ensuring an integrated approach to defense and security.

According to SPA, he added that WDS 2026 reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to lead globally through technologies that enhance readiness, strengthen supply chains, and support localization under Vision 2030.

Following these remarks, senior Saudi defense leadership led a series of high-level discussions framing the strategic direction of the Kingdom’s defense transformation. Chief of the General Staff General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili delivered an address highlighting the priority of building a future-ready, integrated defense and discussing how global operational trends shape the Kingdom’s approach.

Across the wider venue, the Content Theater Program officially opened, bringing together senior Saudi and international speakers for high-level discussions on industrial development, aerospace growth, defense investment, and supply-chain strengthening. These sessions underscored the Kingdom’s strategic direction and its commitment to building a future-ready defense ecosystem. Parallel to the leadership program, activity across the Future Defense Lab and the Saudi Supply Chain Zone continued to facilitate expert engagement and industry dialogue, serving as additional platforms to support collaboration and capability development.

CEO of World Defense Show Andrew Pearcey said: “Day Two demonstrated the Kingdom’s growing influence in shaping the future of defense technologies and industrial capability. Through strong participation, forward-looking programs, and strategic leadership, WDS continues to serve as a global meeting point for innovation and collaboration.”

The World Defense Show 2026 continues throughout the week with live demonstrations, strategic programs, and engagements spanning air, land, sea, space, and security domains. This year’s edition brings together 1468 exhibitors from 89 countries, with participation from defense leaders, innovators, and investors contributing to Saudi Arabia’s long-term industrial transformation.


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.