Saudi Arabia Inoculates Over 540,000 Citizens

The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Inoculates Over 540,000 Citizens

The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a high turnout in people registering through the Sehhaty platform to receive the coronavirus vaccine. So far, 541,411 people have been vaccinated, announced the Ministry of Health spokesman.

Speaking at a press conference, Mohammed Abdelali said Saudi Arabia is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination centers in many regions in the Kingdom, with four new ones inaugurated in the northern borders province with the aim to receive 2,700 visitors per day.

Abdelali said the ministry is still monitoring an increase in infections in some areas, asserting that the current phase “must be followed with greater caution and vigilance,” which requires full adherence to the precautionary measures.

Saudi Arabia reported four new COVID-19-related deaths bringing the toll to 6,461 and 315 new infections, raising the tally to 375,006.

It confirmed 2,451 active cases, 508 of which are in critical condition, while 349 patients have recovered from the disease, bringing the total to 366,094.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced that over 17 million users have registered in the Tawakkalna application since its launch nine months ago, reflecting the high reliability of the application in the fight against the pandemic.

The application, approved by the Ministry, is part of a framework of international health efforts to confront the pandemic.

It has managed the process of granting e-permits during curfew periods for public servants, private sector employees and individuals.

Meanwhile, security authorities have monitored a significant drop in the number of violations of precautionary and preventive measures against the coronavirus. Over 44,000 violations were recorded during the past week.

The Riyadh region topped the number of violations, with 17,851, followed by Makkah with 10,656, and the eastern region with 5,095 cases. The Najran region recorded the lowest with only 178.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that citizens and residents must adhere to the preventive measures and instructions issued by the concerned authorities in this regard.



Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.


Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Sign General Cooperation Agreement

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon meet in Ljubljana on Friday. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Arabia and Slovenia signed on Friday a General Cooperation Agreement aimed at boosting cooperation across various fields.

The agreement was signed between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in Ljubljana.

The agreement also aims at intensifying joint efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the leadership and peoples of both countries toward further progress and prosperity, said a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.

Prince Faisal and Fajon held a meeting to discuss bilateral relations and means to develop them in various fields.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Islamabad Mosque

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque on Friday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm rejection of attacks on places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood, stressing Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism.

It also extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

A suicide blast at a mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people and wounded scores more during Friday prayers.