His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, received today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee in the United Kingdom, Ms. Madeleine Alessandri, as part of strengthening diplomatic and security communication channels between the two kingdoms.

During the official reception, the two sides reviewed the strong and historic bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and discussed ways to enhance them in various fields to serve the interests of both friendly nations. They also discussed at length the most prominent developments and current events on the regional and international scenes, exchanged views on issues of common interest, and addressed diplomatic and security efforts aimed at achieving international peace and stability.

The meeting was attended by the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Mr. Stephen Charles Hitchin, reflecting the high importance that both sides attach to this meeting.

The depth of Saudi-British relations

This visit comes within the framework of the deep strategic partnership between Riyadh and London, which spans decades of fruitful cooperation. The United Kingdom is a key partner of Saudi Arabia on numerous vital issues, particularly in the areas of defense, security, and counterterrorism, in addition to growing economic partnerships under the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Such high-level meetings underscore the continued joint coordination to address the security challenges facing the region and the world.

The importance of intelligence and security coordination

The meeting between the Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chair of the UK's Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) is particularly significant at this time, given the pivotal role of accurate intelligence in shaping political and strategic decisions. The JIC is a central body responsible for providing intelligence assessments to the Prime Minister and the National Security Council, making discussions with its chair particularly important for exchanging views on regional security threats.

The Kingdom's role in regional stability

This meeting reflects the leading role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East. Through its proactive diplomacy, the Kingdom consistently seeks to build bridges of cooperation with influential international powers such as the United Kingdom, to ensure the security of waterways, combat extremism, and find political solutions to the region's escalating crises, thereby sparing people the ravages of conflict and fostering opportunities for development and prosperity.

In an official statement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous terrorist attack that targeted Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger. This criminal act resulted in a number of casualties, including deaths and injuries, in an incident that has shocked local and regional communities.

The Kingdom, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed its firm and unwavering stance against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, regardless of their manifestations or motives. It emphasized its categorical rejection of targeting innocent civilians and vital infrastructure, expressing its full solidarity with the sisterly Republic of Niger, its government and people, in this tragic event.

Context of security challenges in the Sahel region

This attack comes at a time when the Sahel region of Africa is facing escalating security challenges, with countries in the region, including Niger, facing persistent threats from armed groups seeking to destabilize the region. Targeting airports and vital infrastructure is a dangerous tactic aimed at isolating countries, crippling their economies, and disrupting transportation, necessitating a concerted international effort to counter these growing threats to regional peace and security.

The strategic importance of Diori Hamani Airport

Diori Hamani International Airport is Niger's main air gateway and a vital transport hub in West Africa. Its role extends beyond passenger traffic; it is a lifeline for logistical and humanitarian operations in the region. Therefore, targeting such a facility carries serious implications that go beyond the immediate material and human losses, impacting the overall sense of security and stability in the capital, Niamey.

Saudi Arabia's position in support of international stability

This condemnation falls within the framework of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy, which consistently calls for enhanced international cooperation to combat terrorism and eliminate its root causes. Riyadh has long been at the forefront of supporting its sisterly and friendly nations in Africa in addressing security and development challenges, emphasizing that security is indivisible and that the stability of the Sahel region positively impacts international peace and security.

The Kingdom concluded its statement by offering sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Niger, asking God Almighty to have mercy on the deceased, to grant the injured a speedy recovery, and to protect Niger and its people from all harm.