Saudi Arabia Stresses it Will Continue to Defend its Sovereignty, Slamming Houthi Criminality

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses it Will Continue to Defend its Sovereignty, Slamming Houthi Criminality

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday that the Kingdom will continue to defend its sovereignty and security of its citizens and residents and protect its national assets.

It rejected the hostile and criminal behavior adopted by the extremist Houthi militia that is threatening Yemen and its Arab and Islamic surroundings.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his consultations and talks with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The talks focused on Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relations with these countries and ways to further strengthen them across various fields.

After reviewing the latest regional developments, the Cabinet stressed that the terrorist Houthi militia had carried out criminal attacks against civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, and continued to target commercial vessels in the Red Sea and threaten freedom of international maritime navigation.

The Cabinet stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to defend its sovereignty, safeguard the security of its citizens and residents, and protect its national assets.

The Cabinet directed that the highest levels of care and medical attention be provided to those injured in the terrorist attacks, praying to Allah Almighty to grant them a speedy recovery and preserve the Kingdom’s security and stability.

The Cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for joint Arab efforts to halt Israeli violations and attacks against Jerusalem and the occupied territories, confront Israel’s blatant actions in Palestine, and counter expansionist policies, settlement activities, and displacement, in violation of international law.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of Saudi Arabia’s participation in regional and international meetings, highlighting its continued commitment to strengthening communication with countries and organizations worldwide and enhancing joint coordination. This includes advancing multilateral action to support collective efforts to address global challenges, promote development and economic prosperity, and build a more stable, progressive future.

The Cabinet welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed by the Saudi and German foreign ministers to establish a strategic dialogue, enhance consultation and coordination, and develop bilateral cooperation.

The Cabinet reviewed several reports on international conferences and gatherings hosted by the Kingdom. It commended the success of the 26th Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Research and its contributions to enhancing integration among entities concerned with the Hajj and Umrah system, raising the level of coordination and partnerships, improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims, and supporting proactive decision-making based on scientific studies.

The Cabinet hailed the outcomes of LEAP 2026, which saw the launch of initiatives and agreements and investments worth nearly $15 billion in the fields of artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing, technology manufacturing, venture capital, and national capacity development. This further reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership as a global destination for innovation and shaping the future.

The Cabinet considered the launch of new investment projects under the Water Industries and Services Localization Program in the Kingdom a strategic step in the sector’s transition from importing and operating technologies to developing, manufacturing, and exporting them, leveraging accumulated operational and knowledge-based expertise and unique, integrated infrastructure. This aims to build more reliable supply chains and an established industry capable of competing, expanding, and contributing actively to the economy locally and globally.



Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Emir of Qatar

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Emir of Qatar

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Monday a written message from Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on bilateral relations between their countries.

The message was received by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting with Ambassador of Qatar to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meets with Ambassador of Qatar to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between their countries, ways to boost them in various fields. They also discussed issues of common interest.


Qatar Calls for Non-Aggression Pact with Iran, Announces Plans to Strengthen Defense Industry

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
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Qatar Calls for Non-Aggression Pact with Iran, Announces Plans to Strengthen Defense Industry

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.
Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.

Qatar has called for a regional dialogue involving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Iran, with the participation of Türkiye and Pakistan, aimed at reaching security understandings based on confidence-building measures and a non-aggression agreement.

The proposal comes as Doha prepares to unveil new defense partnerships and plans to establish a domestic military production center, part of efforts to strengthen its ability to counter missile threats, drones and cyberattacks.

The announcements were made by Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, during the opening of the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday.

The forum, which runs through October 21 under the theme "The Future of Alliances", brings together officials and experts in international security and politics.

The Qatari minister said achieving lasting peace with Iran would require addressing mutual security concerns and building economic relationships that could help prevent renewed conflict.

He stressed that Qatar continues to maintain contact with Tehran despite the attacks it has suffered and supports mediation efforts led by Pakistan, in cooperation with Oman and other partners, to seek a settlement to the conflict between the United States and Iran.

On defense security, Sheikh Saoud revealed that Qatar is preparing to announce a partnership with regional parties to develop its air defense, counter-drone and cybersecurity capabilities.

He also announced plans to establish a domestic defense production center in cooperation with a regional partner and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and France, either by localizing certain military industries or investing in specialized companies.

The minister explained that a defense review conducted by Qatar had identified air defense, cybersecurity and electronic warfare as priorities, following the threats witnessed across the region during the recent conflict.

He said Doha would soon announce the establishment of the domestic defense production center, explaining that Qatar is working with a regional partner, alongside the United States, Britain and France, to develop local defense capabilities or invest in companies operating in the sector.

Asked about the threats facing Qatar and other Gulf countries, particularly ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, Sheikh Saoud said a new partnership with regional parties would be announced soon to launch an initiative aimed at building capabilities in those three areas and others.

The minister emphasized the importance of Qatar's military partnership with the United States, noting that defense cooperation and exchanges of expertise had helped intercept more than 90 percent of attacks during the conflict.

He also reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to the continued development of Al Udeid Air Base, describing it as a Qatari facility that hosts allied forces and supports multiple missions, including counterterrorism operations.

On energy security, Sheikh Saoud warned that the economic repercussions of disruptions to oil and gas supplies had not yet reached their peak, and that their effects on prices and consumers could continue over the coming months.

He also rejected the imposition of fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need for an agreement guaranteeing freedom of navigation and stability in energy markets.

The minister addressed the Israeli attack on Qatar, arguing that targeting a country engaged in mediation undermines confidence in diplomatic efforts.

He also referred to the apology issued by the Israeli prime minister following the attack.

Discussing Iranian attacks on Qatari facilities and interests, Sheikh Saoud said Doha had drawn lessons from the incidents to strengthen its defense preparedness, without abandoning dialogue with Tehran.

He stressed that mediation and military readiness are not mutually exclusive, explaining that preventing wars requires sustained diplomatic engagement alongside the development of capabilities necessary to protect national sovereignty.

The Global Security Forum, organized by the Soufan Center and the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies, is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The forum is examining the future of alliances and defense partnerships, maritime security and supply chains, cybersecurity challenges, and de-escalation diplomacy amid ongoing shifts in international relations.


Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Relations and Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Relations and Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and the existing partnership across various fields, exploring ways to further strengthen them to serve mutual interests and support the aspirations of both friendly nations.

The ministers also discussed regional developments and efforts to mitigate the repercussions of ongoing events. Barrot expressed his country’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia and affirmed France’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

The two sides also underscored the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure the security and safety of regional waterways and freedom of navigation, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable solutions to ongoing regional crises, thereby enhancing security and stability across the region.