Saudi Arabia, France Stress Importance of Strengthening Defense Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, France Stress Importance of Strengthening Defense Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed during talks they held at the Elysée Palace in Paris the need for continuous evaluation of the security and stability of the Middle East.

A final statement was issued on Friday concerning the visit of the Crown Prince to the French capital. It said the two sides discussed the historical and strategic relations between the two countries, and the means to develop them in all fields. They also exchanged views on the current regional and international developments.

The discussions also focused on ways to deepen the investment partnership between the two countries by enhancing cooperation in renewable energy - including solar and wind energy – and in clean hydrogen, and adhering to the principles of the Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

The talks touched on aspects of strategic partnerships and ways to develop them, the importance of stabilizing global energy markets, and sustaining food supplies of wheat and grains to all countries, and maintaining an abundance of supply and price stability.

The Crown Prince and Macron stressed the need for continuous evaluation of the common threats to the two sides’ interests and the security and stability of the Middle East and the importance of strengthening defense cooperation and partnership.
The talks also touched on discussing ways to develop and enhance cooperation and coordination on issues of common concern, including combating terrorism and its financing, combating all forms of crimes, and exchanging expertise and training.

They tackled the importance of resolving international disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means, adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighborliness, and respect for the unity and sovereignty of countries.
The French side commended the Kingdom's efforts and support for the truce in Yemen. The Kingdom's appreciation for France's support for UN efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis per the three references was also underscored.

They discussed the two countries' support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability, and the importance of implementing comprehensive political and economic reforms. They also expressed their satisfaction with the Saudi-French Fund's efforts to support humanitarian and relief work in Lebanon per the highest standards of transparency.

The Crown Prince and Macron had common views on the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, relevant international legitimacy resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a manner that ensures the Palestinian people’s right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The talks stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the territorial integrity of Syria and the safety of its people.

The two sides also touched on international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to ensure that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, and urge Tehran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, maintain the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of the regional countries.

The Crown Prince expressed to Macron the Kingdom's appreciation for France's support for the candidacy of Riyadh to host the World Expo 2030.



Bahrain Arrests 6 for Sympathizing with Iran Attacks

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
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Bahrain Arrests 6 for Sympathizing with Iran Attacks

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)

Bahrain announced on Saturday the arrest of six people for posting videos related to the effects of the Iranian attacks, expressing sympathy with it and glorifying its hostile acts, as well as spreading false news and inciting the targeting of sites in the kingdom.

The videos were circulated through their social media accounts, which could mislead public opinion, spread fear among citizens and residents, and harm security and public order, said the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Cybercrime Directorate at the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security

Legal procedures have been taken and the detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The ministry urged everyone to obtain information from official sources and not to circulate or repost unverified videos or news, to avoid legal accountability and preserve the nation’s security and safety.


Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Sultan of Oman on Death of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Sultan of Oman on Death of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, held a phone call on Saturday with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, during which he conveyed his condolences and sympathy on the passing of Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said.

The Crown Prince prayed that Allah Almighty grant the deceased His mercy and forgiveness.

Sultan Haitham expressed his appreciation to the Crown Prince for his heartfelt fraternal sentiments and the solidarity conveyed in this message of condolence.


UAE Condemns Attack on its Consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan

A general view shows the Dukan dam in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
A general view shows the Dukan dam in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
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UAE Condemns Attack on its Consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan

A general view shows the Dukan dam in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
A general view shows the Dukan dam in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

The UAE slammed the targeting of its consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan for the second time in a week, the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement Saturday.

"The United Arab Emirates expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous terrorist attack by a drone, which targeted the UAE Consulate General in Iraqi Kurdistan, for the second time in a week, and resulted in the injury of two security personnel and caused damage to the consulate building," it said.

Iraq's Kurdistan regional government later denounced the attack, labelling it "a terrorist act that threatens the sovereignty of Kurdish and Iraqi territory.”

It urged Baghdad to fulfil its responsibility and put an end to the activities of "armed groups and militias targeting residents" in the Kurdistan region and across Iraq.