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Saudi Minister: Health Plan for Hajj Was a Success

Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
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Saudi Minister: Health Plan for Hajj Was a Success

Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih

The health plan for this year’s Hajj was a success, with no coronavirus cases detected among pilgrims, Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced on Thursday.

“This Hajj was successful, with neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported,” he said.

Earlier this week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, hailed the Saudi leadership on the preventive measures it has taken to protect the pilgrims.

“As the faithful gather to perform Hajj this year, we welcome the public health planning and steps Saudi Arabia has taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a tweet.

Al-Rabiah said Thursday that all the government agencies serving pilgrims had made great efforts in executing the Hajj health plans to prevent any infections during the Hajj season.

He also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their “unlimited support” to the Ministry of Health and its workers, as well as all government agencies which took part in organizing the Hajj.

This year's Hajj had been limited to 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia.

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Gulf

Qatar: 'Positive Progress' in US-Iran Indirect Talks in Doha

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Qatar: 'Positive Progress' in US-Iran Indirect Talks in Doha

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

US and Iran negotiators made "positive progress" during indirect talks in Doha, with the next round expected after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said.

"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Wednesday on X.

"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."

Sources said negotiators from both countries spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and financial incentives for Iran -two pillars of a preliminary agreement signed in June - rather than the more difficult issues that the framework was believed to have paved the way to address.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said the two sides were making progress on potential restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, the main reason he said had prompted him to launch the war in February.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister and head of its delegation, said the talks had concluded. Neither side indicated whether they had narrowed their differences.

Gulf

Interior Ministry: Drug Smuggling and Trafficking Network Arrested in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
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Interior Ministry: Drug Smuggling and Trafficking Network Arrested in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)

An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of a criminal network involved in drug smuggling and trafficking in the Riyadh region.

The source said Wednesday that 22 suspects were arrested, including 19 Saudi citizens, one of whom is an employee of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, as well as an Ethiopian national in violation of the Border Security Law, a Moroccan female resident, and a Yemeni male resident.

Legal procedures have been taken against them, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Ministry of Interior said the announcement reaffirms the vigilance of the security authorities in confronting all criminal plots aimed at targeting the Kingdom and its youth through narcotics.

It stressed that the security agencies will continue to confront anyone who attempts to undermine the Kingdom's security or the safety of its citizens and residents, regardless of who they may be.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign MoU to Boost Scientific and Training Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign MoU to Boost Scientific and Training Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh to review relations between the two countries and discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation and coordination between their respective ministries.

Following Wednesday’s meeting, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance scientific, training, and research cooperation between the Saudi and Pakistani interior ministries.

The agreement aims to support the exchange of expertise and capacity building in areas of mutual interest.

The meeting and signing ceremony were attended by Saudi Acting Vice Minister of Interior Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the Pakistani Ambassador to Riyadh, Ahmad Farooq, and several senior officials.