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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince extended their condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Thursday after the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
In separate cables of condolences, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prayed that God have mercy on the deceased and forgive him.
Sheikh Hazza, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, was buried on Thursday.
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif recently met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi in Riyadh to discuss security cooperation and joint measures for combating narcotics.
Prince Abdulaziz welcomed the Pakistani minister and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia, highlighting that the meeting was held under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strengthen security cooperation in light of the distinguished relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing security cooperation, particularly the fight against drug trafficking. The two sides also addressed various issues of mutual interest.
“The ministers discussed security cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the Pakistani Interior Ministry said in a statement.
“Prince Abdulaziz and Mohsin Naqvi also reviewed measures to combat drug smuggling and other matters of mutual interest. The meeting included discussions on advancing cooperation in narcotics control,” the statement added.
Naqvi’s meeting with the Saudi interior minister followed a meeting on Monday with Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Qarni, head of the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control.
During their meeting, the two officials discussed enhancing mutual cooperation in narcotics control, according to the Pakistani Interior Ministry.
“Both sides agreed on more effective measures under bilateral assistance for narcotics control,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Saudi side offered to assist Pakistan by providing the latest equipment for drug detection.”
Naqvi visited various sections of the directorate, where Saudi officials briefed him on the Kingdom’s narcotics control efforts.
“No country can tackle the menace of drugs alone. This has become a shared challenge for the nations of the world,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. “Pakistan will continue to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in anti-narcotics efforts.”
On Sunday, the Pakistani minister also met the Kingdom’s director of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, and inspected various departments of the state-of-the-art directorate and the Safe City Center.
“During the meeting, it was agreed to activate the joint task force (on public security) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia soon,” the Pakistani Interior Ministry said, with Naqvi adding that he was glad to see “excellent” public security mechanisms in Saudi Arabia and that both sides could benefit from each other’s experiences in police training.
RIYADH: Senior officials from Djibouti and Saudi Arabia have held talks to strengthen security ties between the two countries.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti in Riyadh Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama had discussions here recently with Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.
Bamakhrama told Arab News that they discussed several issues of common interest including “security cooperation and ways to strengthen them between the relevant sectors.”
He said the two nations hold discussions annually under a Joint Security Committee. The third meeting of the body was in Jeddah in September last year, and it will meet in Djibouti next February.
In August this year, the two nations agreed to launch a maritime trade initiative. This includes new shipping lines to boost connectivity with East African markets, which serve a consumer base of around 500 million people.
RIYADH: In response to a plea for help, Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has ensured the treatment of a critically ill Palestinian child from Gaza, Ahmad Sabra.
KSrelief arranged for Sabra’s treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The child’s family has expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its swift response, which saved the youngster’s life and inspired hope among others from Gaza also seeking help, the SPA reported.
KSrelief has also initiated a project to treat cancer patients from Gaza at the King Hussein Cancer Center as a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people amid the ongoing crisis.
The Kingdom’s aid agency has also continued its humanitarian efforts in Mauritania, Yemen and Turkiye, the SPA reported.
In Mauritania’s capital Nouakchott, KSrelief has been carrying out a 10-day voluntary medical project for pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization which ends on Dec. 22.
A team of 28 specialists performed 10 open-heart surgeries and five catheterizations since the campaign began.
In another initiative, eight specialists are conducting a voluntary project for adult urology surgeries, completing 25 out of a planned 70 procedures.
In Yemen’s Socotra governorate, KSrelief has launched a volunteer project for home restoration and rehabilitation.
Sixteen volunteers are working to restore and rehabilitate homes for five vulnerable families, with assessments conducted through on-site visits.
In Turkiye, KSrelief recently launched a neurosurgery medical project. Since its inception, 19 volunteers have examined 170 individuals, providing critical care for those in need.
RIYADH: A Chinese delegation visited the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, organized by the Saudi Falconry Club.
The festival, held at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, runs until Dec. 19, with prizes exceeding SR36 million ($9.6 million) for Al-Mellwah racing and Mazayen (falcon beauty pageant) competitions.
The delegation, comprising executives and officials from Chinese companies, toured the festival, met falconers, and learned about the types and categories of falcons, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Delegates watched international competitions, including falcons racing over 400 meters, and learned about the judging process, speed measurement devices, and falcon movements.
The visitors also toured pavilions of participating entities, expressing admiration for the event and its organization, and thanked the Saudi Falconry Club for its hospitality.
The festival, a three-time Guinness World Record holder for hosting the largest gathering of falcons, brings together top falconers worldwide to celebrate falconry heritage, foster competition, and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in Riyadh, where the Kingdom’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup was a key topic of discussion.
The Cabinet expressed excitement over this achievement, viewing it as a significant milestone for Saudi sports, marking the beginning of a new chapter that will see the Kingdom organizing an exceptional edition of this prestigious global event. This opportunity is seen as a way to further elevate Saudi Arabia’s status on the world stage.
The Cabinet also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s strong support for the Syrian people, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to efforts aimed at ensuring Syria’s security and stability. Additionally, the Cabinet condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ attacks on Syrian territory, stressing the need for international adherence to the principles of international law.
Regarding Palestine, the Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s steadfast position in supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom called for global participation in an upcoming high-level international conference, scheduled to be held in New York City in June, aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue through peaceful means and implementing the two-state solution.
The Cabinet also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to foster international cooperation on a global scale. This included the Kingdom's leadership in hosting key events such as the "One Water" Summit, focused on water sustainability, and its significant contributions to combating land degradation and desertification through initiatives like COP 16. These efforts align with the Kingdom's broader goal of addressing global challenges and advancing collective development.
