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Crown Prince Holds Annual Audience for Presidents, PMs, Senior Dignitaries Who Performed Hajj

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Thursday's reception. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Thursday's reception. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Holds Annual Audience for Presidents, PMs, Senior Dignitaries Who Performed Hajj

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Thursday's reception. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Thursday's reception. (SPA)

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held at the Royal Court at Mina Palace on Thursday the annual audience for presidents, prime ministers, senior Islamic dignitaries, guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, guests of government agencies, and heads of delegations and offices of pilgrims affairs who performed the Hajj this year.

Crown Prince Mohammed welcomed King Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia; President Macky Sall of Senegal; President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin; President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi; Vice President of the Maldives Faisal Naseem; Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr. Mustafa Madbouly; caretaker Prime Minister Lebanon Najib Mikati; Prime Minister of Somalia Hamza Abdi Barre; Prime Minister of Niger Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou; Prime Minister of the State of Palestine Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh, and the Speakers of the House of Representatives of several Islamic countries.

Crown Prince Mohammed delivered a speech welcoming the guests and congratulating the pilgrims and Islamic nation on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

“Since its foundation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been blessed by God Almighty to serve the Two Holy Mosques has made this at the forefront of its interests. The Kingdom has made every effort and harnessed all capabilities to provide the pilgrims comfort and tranquility,” he stressed.

“We ask God Almighty to bless us and the Muslim nation with safety and security. We ask Him to grant the pilgrims the ability to complete their rituals on these blessed days and safely return to their countries,” he added.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chairman of the Committee of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that pilgrims have been performing their Hajj rituals with complete tranquility, peace, and security, thanks to the support and directives of the Kingdom's leadership.

He said that pilgrims are enjoying high-quality services throughout their spiritual journey provided by more than 40 public sectors according to a plan that had been prepared right after the end of the previous Hajj.

The minister said that the directives of the Crown Prince and his constant follow-up in implementing the targets of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, including facilitating pilgrims' arrival to the Two Holy Mosques and simplifying the visa procedures and digitalizing them under one unified multi-language platform, have had an immense contribution to achieving a record number of Umrah pilgrims, who have topped 10 million.

Al-Rabiah explained that this year saw the introduction of fair competition in serving pilgrims from abroad and the expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative, which has covered seven countries, benefiting more than 400,000 pilgrims.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz; Prince Mansour bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Saud bin Saad bin Abdulaziz; Prince Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz; Prince Dr. Bandar bin Abdullah bin Turki, and other princes.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.

Gulf

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.