Saudi Defense Minister, Presidential Leadership Chairman Discuss Roadmap Between Yemeni Parties

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman with the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman with the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi (SPA)
TT

Saudi Defense Minister, Presidential Leadership Chairman Discuss Roadmap Between Yemeni Parties

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman with the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman with the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed with the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, the latest developments and ways to enhance and support efforts to restore peace in Yemen.

Under the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Defense Minister met with Alimi and members of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council in Riyadh.

The two sides discussed cooperation and coordination regarding the road map between the Yemeni parties to reach a comprehensive political solution to end the Yemeni crisis under UN supervision. They also addressed several issues of common interest.

The Minister stressed the Kingdom's continuous support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the importance of prioritizing the national interest of all parties to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace to contribute to the development and prosperity of Yemen and its people.

Yemen's state-owned Saba news agency said that Alimi reviewed the latest developments in the Yemeni situation and resuming the peaceful path in light of the Houthi militias' continued intransigence and human rights violations.

Saba reported that the Chairman and members of the Council affirmed their full support for Saudi efforts to renew the truce, alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, and launch a comprehensive political process that guarantees the restoration of state institutions, security, stability, and development.

The agency also conveyed the Saudi Defense Minister's confirmation of Riyadh's commitment to support the Council and encourage the Yemeni parties to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution under UN supervision, achieving security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.

Later, the Saudi Defense Minister held talks with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in Riyadh.

They discussed strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and France and various aspects of cooperation in the military and defense sectors.

They also addressed the latest developments in Gaza and its environs, and Prince Khalid emphasized the urgent need to cease military operations, protect innocent lives, and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid.



Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar over Victims of Ras Laffan Gas Facility Explosion

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar over Victims of Ras Laffan Gas Facility Explosion

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Tuesday a cable of condolence and sympathy to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the explosion at a gas-processing facility in Ras Laffan industrial zone that resulted in deaths and injuries.

He extended his deepest condolences to the emir, the families of the deceased, and the people of Qatar, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Sheikh Tamim a similar cable.

A huge blast at a Qatar gas hub killed 13 people and injured 66 others, the state's energy minister said on Monday.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, which Saad al-Kaabi said was "an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature", despite earlier Iranian attacks targeting energy facilities in the Gulf during the Middle East war.

He announced "the tragic loss of 13 lives of our people who hold Indian and Pakistani nationalities. 66 people have been reported injured and are receiving medical treatment, none of whom are in life-threatening condition".


Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Firm Stance in Supporting Int’l Security and Stability

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Firm Stance in Supporting Int’l Security and Stability

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s firm and steadfast stances in support of efforts to establish security and stability in the region and the world.

It highlighted its contribution to responding to humanitarian calls and extending assistance to those in need and the affected around the world.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Jeddah.

The Cabinet was briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the message he received from Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.

The Cabinet also reviewed regional and international developments.

The Cabinet commended Saudi Arabia's progress in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, reaching 13th place globally and third among G20 countries, in addition to advancing across all main pillars and ranking in the top ten in 74 sub-indicators, reflecting the effectiveness of the Saudi model in competitiveness-related fields.

The Cabinet noted that the Kingdom’s retention of the top position in the Global Cybersecurity Index for the third consecutive year reflects its leadership in this critical sector. It attributed this achievement to the Kingdom’s progress at the local, regional, and international levels, as well as its efforts to support digital transformation, localize priority technologies, and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with countries and organizations around the world.

The Cabinet commended the achievements of the Health Sector Transformation Program in developing a more integrated and efficient healthcare ecosystem centered on improving the well-being of individuals.

The program has helped in expanding access to healthcare services, enhancing their quality, strengthening comprehensive medical care across all levels, increasing the number of healthy cities, and advancing preventive healthcare initiatives, while encouraging communities to adopt sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

The Cabinet reviewed the advanced performance of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program in 2025, stressing its pivotal role in driving non-oil economic growth. It has strengthened the appeal of strategic sectors, including industry, mining, and logistics, while contributing to higher levels of investment, export growth, and local content, in line with the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification objectives.


Saudi Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Worldwide Approaches $24 Billion

Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
TT

Saudi Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Worldwide Approaches $24 Billion

Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 
Projects implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have benefited 113 countries worldwide (SPA). 

Saudi Arabia’s support for refugees, displaced persons, and temporary residents around the world has reached unprecedented levels, according to newly released figures that highlight the Kingdom’s expanding humanitarian role.

The assistance reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, rooted in its humanitarian values and dedication to preserving human dignity wherever it is threatened.

The figures were released as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced Sunday the establishment of a new camp for displaced Palestinians north of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The facility is intended to provide safe shelter for families who have lost their homes amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and is part of the Saudi public fundraising campaign to assist the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Coinciding with World Refugee Day, the data show that Saudi Arabia has provided more than $23.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to refugees, displaced persons, and temporary residents, both within the Kingdom and through relief, humanitarian, and development programs implemented across the globe.

The total reinforces Saudi Arabia’s standing as one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors.

Support for Refugees Living in Saudi Arabia

According to the data, refugees account for approximately 5.5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population. The Kingdom has devoted considerable attention to those residing within its borders by providing free healthcare and education, facilitating access to employment opportunities, and promoting their integration into society across all regions of the country.

By 2026, assistance provided to visitors and refugees from Yemen, Syria, the Rohingya minority, and Sudan had exceeded $20.43 billion.

International Relief Efforts

Internationally, KSrelief continues to implement relief programs designed to ensure aid reaches those most in need. Its efforts include establishing and equipping refugee camps, operating mobile medical clinics, distributing food baskets and shelter supplies, and implementing water and sanitation projects.

Syria topped the list of beneficiary countries, receiving 254 KSrelief projects valued at $290 million. These included the management and operation of KSrelief clinics in Jordan’s Zaatari Refugee Camp at a cost exceeding $2 million; the distribution of winter clothing vouchers in Lebanon under the Kanaf program, valued at $700,000; and the distribution of more than six million loaves of bread through the Al-Amal Charitable Bakery at a cost of more than $3 million.

In Yemen, KSrelief implemented 49 humanitarian projects worth more than $145 million. The initiatives included the operation and maintenance of the Saudi Village for Yemeni Refugees in Obock, Djibouti, as well as the operation of medical clinics providing primary and emergency healthcare services and early-stage medical intervention.

In Palestine, the center carried out 41 projects valued at more than $17 million, focusing on strengthening food and agricultural security, supplying essential inputs for bread production, and distributing vouchers for basic food commodities.

Joint Programs with International Organizations

As part of broader efforts to support refugees and displaced populations, KSrelief has signed joint implementation agreements with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organizations.

Among these initiatives is a program to strengthen protection services for displaced and refugee families in Yemen, benefiting 44,722 individuals at a cost exceeding $3 million.

The center has also funded an emergency relief program for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The initiative serves more than 23,000 beneficiaries and aims to improve living conditions while reducing the risks associated with harsh winter weather.

In Burkina Faso, KSrelief launched a separate project to procure and distribute 3,400 shelter kits to the most vulnerable families, benefiting approximately 17,000 people.

Since its establishment in 2015, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has implemented 4,394 projects in 113 countries, with a total value exceeding $8 billion.