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Saudi Crown Prince Hails Extraordinary Efforts to Host Hajj

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Hails Extraordinary Efforts to Host Hajj

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, hailed on Tuesday the extraordinary efforts that went into hosting this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Chairing a cabinet meeting in Jeddah, he praised the concerned parties in ensuring that the pilgrims had a smooth journey and were able to perform the Hajj at ease.

He thanked God Almighty for bestowing upon Saudi Arabia the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and in organizing the Hajj and Umrah.

The cabinet was briefed on the talks and contacts held between Saudi Arabia and various friendly countries over the past week that were aimed at consolidating relations and cooperation in all fields.

The cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom's participation in several regional and international gatherings.

Such participation is in line with the Kingdom's commitment to supporting multilateral approaches and collective efforts aimed at resolving crises in the region and the world, achieving international security and stability, and creating conditions conducive to development and prosperity.

The cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's strong efforts on both political and humanitarian fronts to halt Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. It noted the Kingdom's international efforts to support initiatives aimed at gaining further global recognition of the State of Palestine, as well as its ongoing provision of relief aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

On domestic affairs, the cabinet highlighted the launch of the Geographic Survey Project for Renewable Energy sites in the Kingdom, which is the first of its kind globally.

The project reflects the Kingdom's commitment to achieving ambitious national targets in renewable energy production, contributing to the optimal energy mix for electricity generation and displacing liquid fuel use, and supporting the Kingdom's goal of exporting electric power and producing clean hydrogen.

The cabinet highlighted the awarding of contracts for the second phase of the Jafurah natural-gas field project development program and the third phase of the main gas network expansion project in the Kingdom.

These developments fall within the continued development and economic diversification efforts, utilizing the comparative advantages that the Kingdom enjoys, and strengthening its leadership position in global energy markets.

It noted the new discoveries of oil and natural gas made by the Saudi Aramco in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter.

The cabinet commended the progresses and successes the Human Capability Development Program and National Industrial Development and Logistics Program have achieved and their contributions to boosting the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and its status as a leading international industrial powerhouse and logistics hub.

Moreover, the cabinet noted the results listed in the World Competitiveness Yearbook Report for 2024, regarding the Kingdom’s advancement to the 16th rank among the most competitive countries in the world, and its achievement of the first positions in a number of sub-indexes, supported by improved business legislation and infrastructure, a thriving economy, and a society that interacts with the world.

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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.