Saudi Govt: Crown Prince Mohammed’s Visit to US Bolsters the Strategic Partnership

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)
TT

Saudi Govt: Crown Prince Mohammed’s Visit to US Bolsters the Strategic Partnership

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 said on Tuesday the visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United States aims to strengthen bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries across various fields, while striving to achieve their shared vision for a secure and stable Middle East.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh.

The Cabinet reviewed the two messages received by the Crown Prince from South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Cabinet discussed the Kingdom's participation in regional and international meetings, reiterating Saudi Arabia's emphasis at the 42nd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Interior Ministers on the importance of integrated joint action to confront security challenges.

This commitment aims to protect homelands and societies while boosting opportunities for development and prosperity in the region.

The Cabinet commended the Kingdom's global pronouncements in the tourism sector, most notably the Riyadh Declaration adopted during the 26th session of the United Nations Tourism Organization General Assembly. The declaration serves as a roadmap for a more inclusive and sustainable future for the sector and is considered a key driver of national growth.

The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the Crown Prince’s patronage of the fourth edition of the Global AI Summit that will be held in the Kingdom in 2026. The patronage is part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to make innovation and digital transformation fundamental pillars for building a sustainable and globally competitive knowledge-based economy.

The Cabinet praised the Digital Government Forum held in Riyadh, which showcased innovative and high-quality initiatives supported by artificial intelligence technologies. It also commended the significant progress made by government entities in measuring digital transformation and the adequacy of digital content for 2025, reflecting the continued development of services provided to citizens, residents, and visitors.

The Cabinet praised the integration of national efforts in developing local content and contributing to raising the localization rate of military spending to 24.89% by the end of 2024, thus reinforcing the continuous progress in the localization process in this sector to reach more than 50% by 2030.



Zelenskyy Arrives in Jeddah

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
TT

Zelenskyy Arrives in Jeddah

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine arrived in Jeddah Thursday. At King Abdulaziz International Airport, he was welcomed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and several other officials.

Zelenskiy said he would hold "important meetings" in the Kingdom as part of an effort to bolster ties with Middle East countries amid the Iran war.

"Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate ⁠the support and support ‌those who ‌are ready to work ​with us ‌to ensure security," Zelenskyy wrote ‌on X.

Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, accompanied Zelenskiy on the ‌visit.


Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with his French, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with his French, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot on the sidelines of his participation in the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting held France.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries, along with ways to strengthen and develop them.

They also discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing efforts in this regard.

According to SPA, the Saudi minister also met with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.

During their meeting they reviewed cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in addition to discussing the latest developments and issues of common interest.


2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
TT

2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Two people were killed and three were wounded by falling debris after air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the government media office said on Thursday.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X.