Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Bolstering Ties, Security Cooperation

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Bolstering Ties, Security Cooperation

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of Sharaa's visit to the Kingdom to participate in the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Conference.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between their countries and explored ways to develop them across various fields.

They also discussed opportunities for economic cooperation in sectors such as energy, industry, infrastructure, technology, and others in light of the two leaderships' keenness to achieve economic stability in Syria and to foster bilateral relations that meet the aspirations of their peoples.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz also met with Sharaa.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud stressed that the meeting was held upon the directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This directive stemmed from the Crown Prince’s keen interest in developing cooperation and joint coordination between the Kingdom and Syria in various fields with emphasis on security-related matters.

The officials reviewed relations between their countries and discussed specific aspects of cooperation in the security field, along with a number of other issues of common interest.



Gulf Leaders to Meet in Jeddah to Discuss Iran Escalation, Int’l Marine Navigation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
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Gulf Leaders to Meet in Jeddah to Discuss Iran Escalation, Int’l Marine Navigation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will host an exceptional meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah on Tuesday to discuss the Iranian escalation in the region and threat to international marine navigation.

Gulf sources said Gulf leaders will hold consultations to discuss the regional developments and ways to tackle the repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies that have targeted infrastructure and civilian and oil installations.

They will also address the repercussions of the Hormuz blockade and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the crisis, starting with Pakistan’s mediation between the US and Iran.

The summit underscores the importance of unifying Gulf stances and bolstering joint coordination to support collective security and protect their economies.

Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have arrived in Jeddah where they were welcomed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.


Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected the readiness of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, reviewing the level of services provided to pilgrims at their residences, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The tour included hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations across Makkah. He assessed operational procedures, facility preparedness, and the services offered to pilgrims. This contributes to boosting service quality within accommodation facilities.

During the tour, Al-Khateeb met with trained tourism personnel serving pilgrims and reviewed their readiness and role in delivering services. This reflects the impact of the ministry’s training and qualification programs aimed at empowering national talent in the tourism sector.

He visited the Ministry of Tourism branch in the Makkah Region. The branch supports the ministry’s year-round field presence, brings services closer to investors and operators, and strengthens monitoring and oversight of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during the Hajj season.

At the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, Al-Khateeb met with investors and operators of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations. They discussed the sector’s readiness for the Hajj, explored ways to improve service quality for pilgrims, and enhanced coordination and integration across all aspects of pilgrim accommodation services.

He stressed to investors and operators the importance of providing a hospitality experience that enriches pilgrims' journey to the Grand Mosque. He underlined the need to fulfill the national responsibility of caring for pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals in comfort and peace.

The minister announced the achievement of the target to increase bed capacity in Makkah’s hospitality sector.

He underscored the success of the ministry’s initiatives, including the launch of the “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service for pilgrims and expanded hospitality capacity in Makkah.

This year, the Ministry of Tourism assumed full responsibility for overseeing the pilgrim accommodation sector in Makkah. The “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service contributed to adding more than 566,000 beds to the pilgrim hospitality sector in Makkah through a structured framework and clear standards that enhance service quality and diversify accommodation options for pilgrims.


Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested five Egyptian residents for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by entering and remaining in Makkah without obtaining a Hajj permit, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. They also documented and shared the violation on social media.

The individuals have been detained, and legal action has been taken against them.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged all to comply with the regulations governing the Hajj season and to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, stressing that violations will result in legal penalties.

It also called for the prompt reporting of violators through the dedicated hotlines.