Saudi Govt: Economic Corridor Underscores Kingdom’s Pioneering Energy Role

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt: Economic Corridor Underscores Kingdom’s Pioneering Energy Role

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in NEOM. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that the Kingdom's contribution to the establishment of an economic corridor connecting India, the Middle East and Europe stems from its strategic geographical location and global leadership as a reliable source of energy.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in NEOM.

The Cabinet discussed the memorandum of understanding signed by Saudi Arabia with the United States on cooperation in developing a protocol for the establishment of intercontinental green transit corridors.

The corridors would pass through the Kingdom, connecting Asia with Europe with the aim of facilitating the transport of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen through transmission cables and pipelines, as well as rail links.

The cabinet was briefed on the messages King Salman dispatched to the interim president of Burkina Faso and president of the Ivory Coast. The ministers were also briefed on the telephone calls held by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.

The ministers highlighted the positive outcomes of the official visit paid by Crown Prince Mohammed to India where he met with its President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The inaugural meetings of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council was held during his visit. The council culminated in several memorandums of understanding that are expected to expand cooperation in all fields, in the interest of both peoples.

While in India, Crown Prince Mohammed attended the G20 summit in New Delhi. The ministers lauded the outcomes of his participation at the event, saying they reflect Saudi Arabia’s global standing, political and economic weight and leading role in ensuring the stability of the global economy and energy markets.

The cabinet praised the results of the first strategic dialogue between the Saudi and Japanese foreign ministers, stressing the depth of relations between the two countries and the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation at various levels.

The cabinet highlighted the telephone call held by Crown Prince Mohammed with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to underline Riyadh’s solidarity with Morocco in wake of the devastating earthquake that struck last week.

The Saudi leadership directed concerned authorities to urgently provide the necessary relief and humanitarian aid to help ease the impact of the disaster. The gesture reflects the Kingdom's crucial role in aiding people affected by natural disasters or in need around the world.

During its meeting, the cabinet approved the by-law of the General Authority of Media Regulation. 

The authority would now be tasked with developing, organizing and overseeing the entire media sector in the Kingdom with the aim of elevating its content, supporting its infrastructure and increasing its contribution to the economy. This will allow the media to play a pioneering role in offering transparent and credible content. 

The authority will be responsible for overseeing all forms of media, including advertisements and social media platforms, and it will monitor their content, whether they are posted by individuals, companies or institutions. 

The development of the media sector is among the pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs. 

The authority would work on fostering local talents, attracting investors, ensuring the rights of workers in the media sector, supporting research and media studies, creating job opportunities and protecting content from piracy. 

Minister of Media and Chairman of the General Authority of Media Regulation Salman Al-Dosari expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for approving the by-law.  

He hoped the new move would develop the sector and meet the aspirations of the wise leadership. 



World Defense Show in Riyadh Witnesses Signing of Important Agreements

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signs an agreement with his Slovakian counterpart. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signs an agreement with his Slovakian counterpart. SPA
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World Defense Show in Riyadh Witnesses Signing of Important Agreements

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signs an agreement with his Slovakian counterpart. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signs an agreement with his Slovakian counterpart. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated in Riyadh the third edition of the World Defense Show, organized by GAMI until February 12.

At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) Group pavilion, the Defense Minister launched on Sunday SAMI Land Company, SAMI Autonomous Company, SAMI Land Industrial Complex, and the HEET Program.

He also unveiled the SAMI Local Content Program (RUKN), the group's flagship supply chain program.

Prince Khalid and his South Korean counterpart witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development.

The agreement focuses on defense research, development, and innovation in advanced military technologies and systems.

The Saudi Defense Minister also signed three defense cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.

Furthermore, the National Industrial Development Center signed a cooperation memorandum with European aerospace corporation Airbus to explore opportunities for developing and localizing the aviation and helicopter industry in Saudi Arabia.

Under the memorandum, the two sides aim to strengthen collaboration to establish an integrated aviation industrial base in the Kingdom. They will study the creation of an engineering center to develop national capabilities in manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and repair, alongside a supporting logistics network.

The agreement also covers technology and knowledge transfer, encouraging global suppliers to invest in Saudi Arabia, and developing Saudi talent through educational and training partnerships with domestic institutions. It includes coordination with relevant authorities to examine procurement options, support the shift toward exports, and explore incentives and financing mechanisms to enhance project readiness and competitiveness.

GE Aerospace and the Middle East Propulsion Company Ltd. (MEPC) announced signing three new agreements to enhance operational readiness for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F110 fleet and build in-country capabilities.

Leveraging their decade-old partnership, are focused on the RSAF’s F110-129 engines and will also support F110-129 customers across the broader region.

These agreements represent Phase 3 of a long-term initiative, building on the success of similar Phase 1 and 2 agreements, which saw GE Aerospace providing repair and overhaul services support to MEPC.

The agreements seek to ensure sustained material supply and comprehensive maintenance and repair services support for the RSAF F110 Engine Structural Integrity Program (ENSIP).

They highlight the shared vision of both companies to advance the safety, efficiency, and operational excellence of defense aircraft in the wider Middle East.

MEPC Managing Director Mohammed Alnawkhani said: “These agreements represent the next phase of our strategic partnership with GE Aerospace and a major step forward in enhancing readiness for the RSAF F110 fleet.”

“Together, we are expanding in-Kingdom F110-129 sustainment capabilities, ensuring long-term material availability, and delivering the high standards of safety and performance required by our customers in the Kingdom and across the region.”

“This milestone also strengthens localization efforts in support of Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to national industrial development and building sovereign aerospace sustainment capabilities,” he added.

Salim Mousallam, Vice President, Defense & Systems for the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye at GE Aerospace said that the enduring partnership with MEPC is a testament to the company’s shared vision of enhancing in-country capabilities and ensuring peak operational readiness through maximized availability for its customers.

“These agreements will significantly increase engine availability, streamline MRO processes, and directly support the RSAF’s critical missions. As a trusted partner to the Kingdom, we are proud to provide high-quality services to MEPC, reducing maintenance burden and service disruptions for their mission-critical F110 fleet,” he said.

Under the F110-129 Material Support Agreement, GE Aerospace will provide essential ENSIP Kits (F110-129 parts) to support MEPC in performing the necessary overhaul of RSAF F110-129 engines within the Kingdom.

The F110-129 repair and overhaul agreement further solidifies the provision of comprehensive repair and overhaul services specifically for the Royal Saudi Air Force fleet. GE Aerospace also signed a new F110-129 services agreement to extend critical repair and overhaul capabilities to support other F110 customers across the region.


Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.