Up to 1,499,472 Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims perform the final tawaf, marking the end of the Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims perform the final tawaf, marking the end of the Hajj. (SPA)
TT

Up to 1,499,472 Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims perform the final tawaf, marking the end of the Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims perform the final tawaf, marking the end of the Hajj. (SPA)

Up to 1,499,472 pilgrims arrived so far in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj season 2023, the General Directorate of Passports reported.

The total of arrivals reached the Kingdom through air, land and sea ports.

According to the Directorate, 1,435,014 pilgrims came to the Kingdom through airports, including 230,170 beneficiaries of the Makkah Route initiative.

Also, 59,744 pilgrims came through land ports, and 4,714 pilgrims came through sea ports.



Saudi FM Holds Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
TT

Saudi FM Holds Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Ronald Lamola, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the region and the international efforts being made in this regard.


GCC Secretary-General Offers Condolences to Qatar, Türkiye over Helicopter Crash Victims

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
TT

GCC Secretary-General Offers Condolences to Qatar, Türkiye over Helicopter Crash Victims

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to Qatar and Türkiye over the victims of the helicopter crash in Qatar’s territorial waters, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

On Sunday, seven people have been confirmed killed in a helicopter crash belonging to the Qatari Ministry of Defense due to a technical malfunction during a routine mission.

Four of those killed ⁠were Qatari armed forces ‌personnel, ‌one was from the Qatar-Türkiye ‌joint forces and ‌two were technicians, according to the Turkish and Qatari defense ministries.

Albudaiwi also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow His mercy upon them and grant their families patience and solace.


Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Escalation; France Reiterates Solidarity with Saudi Arabia

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

Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Escalation; France Reiterates Solidarity with Saudi Arabia

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, received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they reviewed the latest regional developments and their implications.

President Macron affirmed France's solidarity with and support for the Kingdom, condemning the repeated Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

He also reiterated France's backing of the measures taken by the Kingdom to preserve its sovereignty, maintain its security, and protect its territory and airspace.