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Saudi Crown Prince Chairs 18th Consultative Meeting of GCC Leaders

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, greets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, greets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Chairs 18th Consultative Meeting of GCC Leaders

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, greets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, greets Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (SPA)

On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the 18th consultative meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The Gulf leaders were in Jeddah to attend the inaugural GCC-Central Asia Summit that was also chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed.

Gulf officials had arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday for the two meetings. They included Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, United Arab Emirates Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah and personal representative of the King of Bahrain Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa expressed his deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s exceptional stances in its humanitarian efforts and fostering stable relations among members of the international community.

Delivering a speech at the Gulf meeting, he commended the positive results of these efforts, saying they aim to transform the region into an inspiring model, fulfilling aspirations for the betterment of humanity.

King Hamad wished Saudi Arabia success in its pursuit to host Expo 2030 and congratulated it on its successful hosting of the Hajj.

He expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for their hosting of the GCC-Central Asia Summit, saying it would lay the groundwork for consolidating ties, political understanding, economic integration, knowledge and cultural exchanges, as well as security and defense partnerships to safeguard the security and stability of their nations.

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Gulf

Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Attack on WFP Aid Convoy in Sudan's North Kordofan

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Attack on WFP Aid Convoy in Sudan's North Kordofan

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi has expressed his condemnation regarding the targeting of a World Food Program (WFP) aid convoy in the North Kordofan State in Sudan.

He characterized this assault as a grave violation of international humanitarian law and an unacceptable transgression of the rules and norms that safeguard humanitarian operations, SPA reported.

"The targeting of relief convoys and humanitarian workers is a reprehensible act that obstructs the delivery of vital assistance to those affected," he said, adding that such actions exacerbate the suffering of civilians, particularly given the dire humanitarian conditions currently prevailing in Sudan.

Albudaiwi also referenced the statement of the GCC Supreme Council’s 46th Session, which reaffirmed support for peace-building efforts aimed at preserving Sudan’s security, stability, and sovereignty.

The statement also underscored the commitment to political efforts to reach a ceasefire and achieve a political transition in Sudan through the establishment of an independent civilian government, fulfilling the Sudanese people’s aspirations for peace, growth, and stability.

Gulf

World Defense Show Opens in Riyadh with Expanded Int’l Participation

The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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World Defense Show Opens in Riyadh with Expanded Int’l Participation

The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The World Defense Show opened in Riyadh on Sunday, bringing together defense and military companies from around the globe to showcase advanced technologies, as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to localize its military industries and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The third edition of the exhibition is being held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and organized by the General Authority for Military Industries from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12.

It features official delegations, government entities, and international firms operating in the defense and security sectors.

The event comes as part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a comprehensive national defense industry and localize more than 50 percent of military spending, while boosting operational readiness and strategic autonomy.

Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries and chairman of the exhibition’s supervisory committee, said the show reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation, localization, and the development of an integrated defense ecosystem.

He said the exhibition includes live air and ground demonstrations, static displays, and newly introduced zones designed to enhance cooperation between government bodies and major national and international defense companies.

Andrew Pearcey, chief executive of the World Defense Show, said the event would feature a comprehensive program starting with an official delegations initiative linking senior officials with investors and industry leaders to support international industrial and technological cooperation.

Pearcey said the “Defense Industry Lab” would highlight emerging technologies and applied research, while dedicated zones would focus on naval systems and Saudi supply chains, connecting local manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises with global firms.

The program also includes meetings between Saudi government entities and industry representatives to discuss operational requirements and investment opportunities.

He added that the venue includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and large display areas, allowing the exhibition to host integrated air, land, and maritime demonstrations.

Participation in the 2026 edition is expected to exceed previous shows, reflecting growing international interest in Saudi Arabia’s defense market.

South Korea’s air force aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, will take part in the exhibition for the first time in the Middle East. The South Korean Air Force said it would deploy 9 T-50 fighter jets, including 1 reserve aircraft, 4 C-130 transport planes, and about 120 personnel.