Saudi Arabia Calls for Reducing Tension, Promoting Dialogue 

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during his participation in the first session of the Manama Dialogue Forum on Saturday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during his participation in the first session of the Manama Dialogue Forum on Saturday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Calls for Reducing Tension, Promoting Dialogue 

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during his participation in the first session of the Manama Dialogue Forum on Saturday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during his participation in the first session of the Manama Dialogue Forum on Saturday. (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji stressed that Saudi Arabia continues to support efforts aimed at reducing tensions, confronting challenges, promoting dialogue and strengthening partnership between all countries.  

Addressing the Manama Dialogue on Saturday, Al-Khuraiji said his country has offered many initiatives in this regard, adding: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to play its role as a source of energy in the world, as we deal with energy in its comprehensive concept, and pay attention to international obligations towards climate change.”  

He added: “In light of the Economic Vision 2030, the Kingdom has set plans to find a stable base that fosters investments and projects, with the aim to advance economic development.”  

Al-Khuraiji stressed that geopolitical conflicts affect all countries and sensitive sectors such as security, food and energy. He emphasized the need to encourage the peaceful resolution of disputes in order to face the common challenges that afflict the international community.  

The Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the Kingdom has ambitions and priorities in light of Vision 2030, which “necessitates harnessing its diplomatic efforts to provide a secure and stable regional and international environment that fosters investments, enables development and encourages the establishment of new international partnerships and the strengthening of existing ties.”  

Kuwait and energy security 

Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, stressed the need to unite efforts to confront challenges related to energy, food security and climate change. 

He noted that fateful decisions must be taken to move energy supply chains, adding that all countries were encouraged to participate positively in this framework, amid warnings of an imminent recession in many regions. 

In his speech during the first session of the 18th session of the Manama Dialogue, the FM underlined that the effects of the energy crisis on the climate could not be ignored, adding that the international community have decisive obligations to confront the challenges in the areas of food and energy security, climate change, growth and prosperity.  

Bahrain, and the impact of conflicts in the region 

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul-Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said on Saturday, that external conflicts and competition between foreign countries have greatly contributed to shaping the modern Middle East and increased challenges and crises in the region. 

During his participation in the second dialogue session of the Manama Dialogue Conference, under the title, “The Impact of Conflicts outside the Region on the Security Situation in the Middle East,” Al-Zayani noted that given the geostrategic importance of the region, “external forces are likely to continue to focus and directly interfere in its affairs.” 

He explained that the conference, which is held amid ongoing global turmoil, was an opportunity for participants to emphasize the pivotal role of peaceful dialogue in preventing and resolving conflicts. 



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.