Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

 Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

 Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).

The Saudi Cabinet welcomed the US administration’s announcement of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, rebuild the strip, and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Cabinet also welcomed the president’s declaration that he would not allow the annexation of the West Bank by Israel.

During Tuesday's session in Riyadh, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet affirmed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to cooperate with the US to achieve a comprehensive agreement to halt the war in the Gaza Strip, ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the strip, and provide adequate, unrestricted humanitarian assistance.

The Cabinet emphasized that these efforts would support the pursuit of a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The session also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to increase the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, highlighting the growing international commitment to securing the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to self-determination.

In his statements to the Cabinet, the Crown Prince further expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries for the sincere feelings they conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 95th National Day.

He offered praise and gratitude to Allah Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon this blessed nation, including its stability, prosperity, and development, as well as the unprecedented achievements it has realized along its path of progress, SPA reported.

Notably, during the session, the Cabinet reviewed recent overall state affairs, with a particular focus on efforts to strengthen relations with countries worldwide. It commended the positive outcomes of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom, during which the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed to enhance defense cooperation between the two brotherly nations and promote security and peace in the region and beyond.

In a statement to SPA following the session, Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary emphasized the Cabinet's appreciation for the Saudi delegation's active participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and the associated international meetings.

The minister stated that the Cabinet expressed appreciation for the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This election reflects the international community's confidence in the Kingdom's proactive role and its ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in this field, promoting global development and peace.

The Cabinet also recognized the Kingdom's election to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), having secured 175 out of 184 votes, which reflects the member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership and contributions in aviation.

It affirmed that the inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program underscores the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural environments and advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Additionally, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum held in Riyadh, noting the extensive participation from various countries and the signing of agreements to foster a sustainable future in this vital sector, enhancing the quality of life and urban landscapes.

The meeting also reviewed developments in the water sector across all regions of the Kingdom, including the inauguration and foundation laying of 122 environmental, water, and agriculture projects in Eastern Region, with investments exceeding SAR28.8 billion. These projects aim to achieve environmental and water sustainability while strengthening production, storage, distribution, treatment, and water quality systems.



Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
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Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.


UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
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UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).
UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

The UAE air defenses on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The agency said that, since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs.

A WAM statement said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the death of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as nine civilian fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.

A total of 190 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian and Indian.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that preserves its sovereignty and stability and protects its interests and national capabilities.


Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah arrived Wednesday in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

He was received by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at King Khalid International Airport.