Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Efforts to Achieve Regional, Int’l Security and Stability

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh.(SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Efforts to Achieve Regional, Int’l Security and Stability

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

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its support for efforts aimed at achieving security, stability and sustainable development in the region and world.

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

The ministers reviewed the latest regional and international developments. The government also reviewed the outcomes of the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

The meeting demonstrated the two countries' commitment to strengthening relations and pursuing shared goals in various sectors, to the benefit of their people.

The cabinet was briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During the calls, Crown Prince Mohammed underlined the Kingdom's commitment to unifying Arab and Islamic efforts to support the Palestinian people, stressing the need to exert all efforts to halt the Israeli escalation and violations.

The cabinet was also briefed on the message sent by the Crown Prince to the prime minister of the Kingdom of Tonga and on his meeting with the president of the European Council.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the several international meetings the Kingdom attended as part of its commitment to increasing cooperation and coordination with brotherly and friendly nations, and advancing multilateral efforts to achieve progress and prosperity.

Al-Dossary emphasized that the 50th anniversary of the Saudi Fund for Development marks a significant milestone that highlights the fund's expanding global role, numerous accomplishments, and invaluable contributions to fostering development and prosperity in less developed and developing countries.

Domestically, the cabinet deemed the two Royal Decrees reconstituting the Council of Senior Scholars and the Shura Council as further evidence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' unwavering support for the Council of Senior Scholars and his commitment to selecting Shura Council members from among highly qualified individuals with diverse expertise who can continue to serve religion and the nation.



Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply:

First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

Fourth, the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.