Khalid bin Salman: Defense Ministry Will Continue Development in Line with Crown Prince’s Vision

Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman: Defense Ministry Will Continue Development in Line with Crown Prince’s Vision

Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Defense Ministry in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Newly named Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stressed on Wednesday that the Defense Ministry had enjoyed the attention of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman when he acted as its minister.

In his first remarks since his appointment to his post, he vowed that the Ministry will continue along Crown Prince Mohammed’s vision and the path he laid out.

In a tweet, he praised the trust shown by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed in his appointment, asking God Almighty to support him in serving his religious, leadership and nation.

King Salman issued a Royal Decree on Tuesday that named Crown Prince Mohammed prime minister and Prince Khalid defense minister.

Prince Khalid underlined the vision for the development of the ministry that was outlined by Crown Prince Mohammed under his leadership.

The ministry had enjoyed great interest and direct supervision by the Crown Prince that led to the launch of its development program, he noted.

This reflects his faith in the importance of developing its capabilities and staying abreast of military development according to the highest standards, stressed Prince Khalid.

He vowed that the ministry will continue to forge ahead along the path outlined by the Crown Prince “so that it will be transformed into a modern institution with professional military forces that can protect the nation and its interests.”



Saudi FM Says Hopeful Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi FM Says Hopeful Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said on Wednesday that it was a “responsibility of all of us in the region” to keep the ceasefire in Gaza on track.

“I am hopeful Gaza ceasefire will hold,” he said from the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to Reuters.

On Tuesday, the Saudi government hoped on that the ceasefire would end the “barbaric Israeli war” and help address the root cause of the conflict by allowing the Palestinian people to achieve their rights, starting with the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect on Sunday following 15 months of a brutal war that left the Gaza Strip in ruins.

The first phase of the truce, lasting 42 days, will include Hamas’ release of 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel will release 1,904 Palestinian detainees.

Negotiations over the second phase of the deal will take place on February 3.