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WHO Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Protecting Global Health during Hajj Season

WHO Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Protecting Global Health during Hajj Season
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WHO Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Protecting Global Health during Hajj Season

WHO Praises Saudi Arabia’s Success in Protecting Global Health during Hajj Season

The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Saudi Arabia for successfully ensuring that the 1447 AH Hajj season was free of disease outbreaks and public health threats, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

The organization commended the Kingdom’s effective management of one of the world’s largest mass gatherings, highlighting its strong public health preparedness and response capabilities amid ongoing global health challenges and emerging epidemic risks.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Saudi Arabia on the success of the Hajj season and expressed appreciation for healthcare workers whose efforts contributed to a safe and healthy season, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom’s ability to manage the health requirements of major mass gatherings to the highest standards.

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Hanan Balkhy also congratulated Saudi Arabia on the successful Hajj season and praised the advanced health preparedness provided to pilgrims. She highlighted the deployment of modern health technologies, including robots and drones, the provision of healthcare services across various locations, and the continuous monitoring of pilgrims’ health throughout their journey, enabling them to perform their rituals safely and with peace of mind.

The praise coincided with the Ministry of Health’s announcement that the 1447 AH Hajj season was free of disease outbreaks and public health threats. The season witnessed the implementation of one of the largest health preparedness operations, encompassing integrated preventive, therapeutic, and emergency services. Efforts also included continuous epidemiological surveillance, health assessments, and risk management measures carried out in coordination with various national entities and international health organizations.

Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel stressed that Hajj health security is global health security. He noted that Hajj represents a unique human gathering that brings together millions of pilgrims from around the world before they return to their home countries, making the protection of their health and safety a responsibility whose impact extends to global public health.

He added that the success of the 1447 AH Hajj season and its freedom from disease outbreaks and public health threats were the result of an integrated health ecosystem that begins before pilgrims arrive, including vaccination and immunization requirements and the enforcement of health fitness criteria to protect pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals safely.

The ecosystem extends to early preparedness, epidemiological surveillance, risk assessment, and rapid response, supported by the integration of government entities and international health organizations and the mobilization of human, technical, and operational resources to serve pilgrims.

The minister also expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their continued support and attention to the healthcare sector and the pilgrim service system. He noted that this achievement was made possible by their directives, which have made human health and safety a top priority and contributed to enhancing the readiness of the healthcare system and its success in protecting pilgrims’ health.

The success of the 1447 AH Hajj season, along with United Nations and international commendations, reflects Saudi Arabia’s advanced position in mass gathering medicine and its leading role in developing and implementing best health practices for major human gatherings, contributing to strengthening health security at regional and global levels.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talks

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye Push for Swift Progress in US-Iran Talks

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pose for a family photo in Cairo on Sunday. (SPA)

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye pushed for swift progress in US-Iran talks at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, as negotiations between the two foes began in Switzerland.

In a joint statement, the ministers called for a "swift and successful conclusion" to negotiations aimed at reaching a solution to outstanding issues that is "lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable", while taking into account regional concerns, particularly the security and stability of Gulf states.

The meeting also addressed the Israeli military escalation against Lebanon and stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultations to sustain the diplomatic track, mitigate the repercussions of the crisis, and restore security and stability across the region.

Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan.

Gulf

Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
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Saudi FM Attends Meeting with Egyptian and Turkish Counterparts and US Adviser in Cairo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a meeting in Cairo with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Türkiye's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, and Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The participants discussed a range of regional developments, with a particular focus on the situations in Sudan and Libya, and reviewed ongoing joint efforts to promote security, stability, and political solutions in both countries.

The meeting was also attended by Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan, Adviser to the Saudi Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini.

Gulf

Lebanese Exports to Saudi Arabia Resume as First Containers Head to Jeddah

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).
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Lebanese Exports to Saudi Arabia Resume as First Containers Head to Jeddah

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security and logistical procedures at the Port of Beirut ahead of the departure of the first shipments to Jeddah Port following Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports (Asharq Al Awsat).

The first shipments of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia have departed from Beirut, marking the resumption of trade after a five year suspension imposed because of large scale smuggling of illicit goods into the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia reversed its decision last week in light of the positive results achieved through Lebanon's stricter security measures at ports, airports, and land border crossings.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pledged on Saturday that Lebanon "will never again allow itself to become a launching point for any harm against our Arab brothers. Rather, it will be a partner in their security, stability, and prosperity."

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al Dossari reaffirmed his country's support for "Lebanon's stability, its sovereignty over all its territory, the well being of its people, and the prevention of its use as a platform to harm its brothers."

His remarks came during a ceremony marking the departure of the first Lebanese exports to Jeddah Port following the Saudi decision to lift the ban on Lebanese imports.

Asharq Al-Awsat learned from Lebanese sources that Beirut is moving toward tighter oversight of exports and is preparing a mechanism expected to be launched soon that will enable direct cooperation with Saudi authorities to detect and prevent smuggling operations. Under the mechanism, scanning devices operating at ports, airports, and land crossings will be directly linked to their counterparts at Saudi entry points, allowing Saudi authorities to monitor incoming shipments and verify them in real time.

Once implemented, the system will allow officials at Jeddah Islamic Port to review scanner results immediately after cargo passes through inspection. Saudi authorities will be able to intervene to halt suspicious shipments or request manual inspections whenever concerns arise. The same data will also be available directly to Lebanese customs officials, who monitor the information on large screens in Beirut.

Lebanese authorities hope to expand the system in the future to other countries, including states that export goods to Lebanon, enabling Lebanese customs officials to monitor shipments bound for Lebanon in a similar manner.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed on June 10 that Lebanese exports to the Kingdom be resumed in light of the "positive steps" taken by the Lebanese government to rebuild state institutions. The decision came in response to a request from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Ambassador Fahd Al Dossari inspect security procedures at the Port of Beirut (Asharq Al Awsat).

The first container bound for Jeddah Islamic Port departed on Saturday following the lifting of the ban on Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia. The event was attended by Salam, several ministers, and Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to Beirut, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al Dossari.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al Dossari said: "Based on the positive steps taken by the Lebanese state, we gather today to witness the relaunch of the first Lebanese exports to the Kingdom."

He added: "This step confirms Saudi Arabia's support for Lebanon's stability, its full sovereignty over all its territory, and the well being of its people. It also reflects the Kingdom's confidence in the Lebanese state's ability to take the necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a platform to harm its brothers."

A Moment Lebanon Has Long Awaited

Speaking from the Port of Beirut as the first container departed, Prime Minister Salam said Lebanon was "witnessing a moment it has awaited for a long time, namely the departure of the first containers bound for Jeddah Port after the lifting of the ban on Lebanese exports to the Kingdom."

He added: "I recall standing in this very place on November 25 last year. At that time, I said frankly that Lebanon had been used as a transit point for the export of illicit goods to a number of Arab countries, with the Kingdom, unfortunately, at the forefront. I also said that our ability to control our exports was a fundamental condition for lifting the ban, and that the installation of scanning equipment meant that the lifting of restrictions on Lebanese exports was drawing near."

Salam continued: "But we did not stop at installing modern scanning equipment at the ports of Beirut and Tripoli to monitor everything entering and leaving Lebanon. After appointing a new port administration composed of experienced and qualified professionals, and later a new customs administration, we worked to tighten border control measures with Syria and strengthened efforts to combat smuggling in all its forms."

Salam reiterated: "We will never again allow Lebanon to become a launching point for any harm against our Arab brothers. Rather, it will be a partner in their security, stability, and prosperity."

A Return of Hope for Thousands of Farmers

Salam noted that Saudi Arabia "was, before the ban, by far the largest market for our exports. Today, with the departure of this container, we are returning to those markets. I hope not only that we regain the level of exports we had before the ban, but that we surpass it."

He stressed that "our return to Saudi markets means the return of hope to thousands of farmers in the Bekaa, the South, and the North, to factories that survived the most difficult circumstances, and to all exporters who have waited a long time for this day."

He added that "this decision does not revive just one sector. It activates an entire economic chain, helps create job opportunities, and ensures an inflow of hard currency."

Salam pointed out that "this decision comes at a stage when Lebanon needs every possible measure to stimulate its economy and strengthen the capabilities of its productive sectors."

He added: "We hope this step will be followed by further measures that strengthen cooperation and facilitate travel between our two countries."

Salam continued: "From this platform, in the name of the Lebanese state and in my personal name, I renew my thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his generous decision to lift the ban on exports from Lebanon. Lebanon values its deep historical ties with Saudi Arabia and highly appreciates the role played by its leadership over decades in supporting Lebanon, its stability, and its institutions."

Five Year Ban

The Saudi ban began in 2021 on agricultural imports before being expanded to include all goods. It was linked to the smuggling of the narcotic Captagon after smugglers and criminal networks used Lebanon as a platform for trafficking drugs into the Kingdom.

The move increased pressure on Lebanon's already collapsing economy, which had been struggling with a severe financial crisis since 2019, particularly as agricultural exports lost access to their traditional Gulf markets. Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia totaled approximately $240 million in 2020.