Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court announced on Tuesday the passing of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the second son of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. His mother was Princess Al-Anoud bint Abdulaziz bin Musaed Al Saud.

Prince Mohammed, the fourth governor of the Eastern Province, oversaw a period of significant development in the region, coinciding with the country’s economic boom.

Born in 1950 in Riyadh, he received his early education at the Model Capital Institute before earning a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His government career began as assistant deputy interior minister before his appointment as Eastern Province governor in 1985.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, home to the kingdom’s oil, gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries, witnessed extensive development under Prince Mohammed bin Fahd’s tenure. The region saw major advancements in industrial and tourism sectors, infrastructure, and essential services.

Key projects included the expansion of export hubs into some of the Gulf’s largest ports, major road and electricity initiatives, and the establishment of industrial cities. The province also experienced significant urban growth and an expansion of healthcare services.

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd launched numerous initiatives to promote social development, with a focus on youth empowerment and women's advancement. His Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Program for Youth Development received the Dubai-United Nations International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment in 2002 and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work in 2007.

He also established several awards to foster excellence and innovation, including the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Distinguished Government Performance and the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Academic Excellence. Additionally, he founded Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University, a higher education institution known for its advanced teaching methods and modern technology.

 

 



GCC Secretary-General Meets with Swiss FM in Türkiye

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General Meets with Swiss FM in Türkiye

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi met on Friday with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

During the meeting, they discussed several regional and international issues, including the recent Iranian attacks on GCC states and their serious implications for regional security and stability, as well as the regional and global economy.

The secretary-general expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s supportive stance toward the GCC position on these attacks.

Cassis reaffirmed his country’s condemnation of the Iranian attacks and its support for all measures taken by GCC states. He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening political coordination under the memorandum of understanding between the GCC and Switzerland, contributing to security, stability, prosperity, and development for the two sides.


Prince Faisal, Rubio Discuss Continued Flow of Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Prince Faisal, Rubio Discuss Continued Flow of Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a telephone call on Friday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the latest regional developments.

The two officials reviewed efforts to ensure the continued flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the need to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon.

They underscored the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic solutions to achieve security and stability across the region.


Shehbaz Sharif, Tamim bin Hamad Support Path of De-escalation

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha, Qatar, April 16, 2026. (QNA)
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha, Qatar, April 16, 2026. (QNA)
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Shehbaz Sharif, Tamim bin Hamad Support Path of De-escalation

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha, Qatar, April 16, 2026. (QNA)
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha, Qatar, April 16, 2026. (QNA)

Following his shuttle tour that kicked off in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in the Middle East, during a meeting held Thursday at the Amiri Diwan.

The Pakistani Prime Minister reiterated his country's condemnation of the attacks targeting Qatar and other countries in the region, affirming Pakistan's full solidarity with Doha and support for the measures it takes to protect its sovereignty and safeguard its security and stability, the Amiri Diwan said in a statement.

During the meeting, Qatar’s Emir expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's role in supporting efforts to deescalate tensions and promote diplomatic dialogue in the service of regional peace and security.

According to official sources, both sides stressed the necessity of supporting the path of deescalation and strengthening international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, especially maintaining the smooth flow of energy supply chains through vital maritime routes.

They further discussed the cooperation and friendship relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, aiming to strengthen the partnership and open new horizons for bilateral cooperation.

The Qatari Emir and the Prime Minister also held a bilateral meeting, where they exchanged views on current developments of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries, particularly amidst current events and their repercussions on the region's security and stability.

Sharif arrived in Doha on Thursday morning for a working visit to the country. The PM and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Doha International Airport by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.