Politics
Cabinet approves two agreements in the fields of labor recruitment and domestic work from Thailand
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the Cabinet meeting held this afternoon (Tuesday)
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the Cabinet meeting held this afternoon (Tuesday) at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
At the beginning of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the two messages he received from the President of the Republic of Tunisia and the President of the Central African Republic.
The Council then discussed the results of the Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister’s visits to the Hellenic Republic (Greece) and the French Republic, which came in response to invitations extended to him. The discussions with the leaders of these two countries confirmed the strength of relations and the shared desire to enhance them in various fields, and to work on continuing coordination and consultation on issues of common interest, in a way that serves the interests of the peoples of the three countries and achieves security and stability in the region.
In this context, the Cabinet praised the two visits, which resulted in the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the Kingdom and Greece in several fields, and emphasized the deepening and development of the strategic partnership with the French Republic.
Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet for Shura Council Affairs and Acting Minister of Information, Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, explained in his statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Council renewed what the Kingdom had affirmed at the meeting of the Group of 77 + China at the ambassadorial level, regarding its commitment to international action and cooperation to combat climate change, and to contribute effectively and influentially to achieving international goals in this field through its qualitative initiatives, most notably (Green Saudi Arabia), (Green Middle East), and (Circular Carbon Economy).
The Cabinet affirmed the great importance the State attaches to raising the level of services provided to citizens and improving their quality, and maximizing the benefit from resources and assets in accordance with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including the allocation of 105 billion riyals for 1,335 water projects, which represent the first package within the five-year capital portfolio for the environment, water and agriculture system.
The Council noted the prominent role of the economic and structural reforms implemented within the framework of the Vision and their contribution to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, in light of the 11.8% increase in GDP during the second quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of the previous year 2021, as well as the International Monetary Fund’s estimates that the Kingdom’s economy will record the highest growth rate in the world, reaching 7.6% during the current year 2022.
The Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council had participated in studying. It also reviewed the conclusions reached by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Council of Experts regarding these topics. The Cabinet concluded the following:
Firstly:
Approval of a cooperation agreement in the field of use and exchange of driving licenses between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania.
secondly:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding regarding political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.
Third:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Fourth:
Authorizing the Minister of Tourism - or his representative - to discuss with the Djiboutian side the draft memorandum of cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Trade and Tourism in the Republic of Djibouti, and to sign it, and then to submit the final signed version, to complete the regulatory procedures.
Fifth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman in the field of food and water security.
Sixth:
Saudi Arabia joins the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
Seventh:
Approval of two agreements in the fields of domestic worker recruitment and employment between the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Labor in Thailand.
Eighth:
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation - or his representative - is authorized to discuss with the French side the draft technical arrangements in the field of civil aviation between the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Transport in the French Republic, and to sign it, and then submit the final signed version, to complete the regulatory procedures.
Ninth:
Approval of the organizational arrangements for the Mahd Sports Academy.
Tenth:
Establishing an entity called the "Saudi Investment Marketing Authority"
Eleventh:
Establishing a public authority called the "General Authority for Roads"
twelfth:
Approval of appointments to the position of (Ambassador) and two promotions to the (fifteenth) rank, as follows:
- Abdulrahman bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabdi was promoted to the position of (Security Advisor) at the (fifteenth) rank in the Ministry of Interior.
The following individuals are appointed to the position of (Ambassador) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
– Ahmed bin Ali bin Ahmed Katou’a.
Abdullah bin Hamad bin Faraj Al-Subaie.
– Saud bin Fahd bin Muhammad bin Suwailim.
- Promoting Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Ali Al-Ghamdi to the position of (Senior Information Technology Engineering Consultant) at the (fifteenth) rank in the Ministry of Finance.
- Turki bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Nasser was promoted to the position of (Office Director) at the (fourteenth) rank in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
The Cabinet also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda, including annual reports of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, the Ministry of Housing (formerly), the Spending Efficiency Achievement Center (formerly), the Communications and Information Technology Commission, and the National Program for the Development of the Information Technology Sector. The Cabinet took the necessary action regarding these topics.
Politics
Israeli restrictions on Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan: conditions and permits
Israel will limit entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque to only 10,000 worshippers from the West Bank during Ramadan, imposing age restrictions, security permits, and digital documentation, amid Palestinian warnings.
Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday new and stricter restrictions on the access of Palestinian worshippers from the West Bank to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. Under the new decision, the number of worshippers allowed entry will be capped at 10,000 Palestinians, and only after obtaining prior security permits. This move has drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the holy city.
According to a statement issued by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), these measures followed a "security assessment of the situation," which resulted in the approval of daily permits exclusively for Fridays throughout the holy month. The age restrictions stipulate that entry is permitted for men aged 55 and over, women aged 50 and over, and children up to the age of 12, provided they are accompanied by a first-degree relative. All permits are subject to security approval.
In a procedural precedent, the statement indicated that worshippers are required to undergo "digital documentation" at crossings and military checkpoints, in order to guarantee and confirm their return to their places of residence in the West Bank at the end of the prayer day, adding a new procedural burden to the movement of people.
A huge gap between capacity and the allowed number
These restrictions create a massive gap between the capacity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the permitted number of worshippers. Estimates indicate that the Al-Aqsa compound can accommodate between 350,000 and 400,000 worshippers when all its courtyards and prayer areas are full, a scene familiar in previous years when hundreds of thousands of worshippers would flock to the site. Limiting the number to only 10,000 constitutes an unprecedented reduction that prevents the vast majority of Palestinians from practicing their religious rites during one of the holiest months for Muslims.
tense historical and political context
These measures are particularly sensitive given the spiritual significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first of the two Qiblas and the third holiest site in Islam. While Israel imposes security measures annually around East Jerusalem, the current restrictions come amidst complex regional circumstances. Palestinians and religious institutions in Jerusalem consistently warn that the intensification of these measures aims to alter the historical and legal status quo in the city and attempt to erase its Arab and Islamic identity.
It is worth noting that the international community does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980 and considers it occupied territory since 1967, in accordance with international law. Palestinians maintain their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, asserting that freedom of worship and access to holy sites are fundamental rights guaranteed by international law and should not be subject to Israeli security considerations or used as a political bargaining chip.
Politics
An armed man in military uniform was arrested near the Capitol before the State of the Union address
Capitol Police arrested a young man armed with a rifle and military gear who attempted to approach the Capitol building, a week before President Trump's State of the Union address. Details of the incident are available here.
In a security incident that triggered a state of alert in the US capital, Washington, the Capitol Police announced the thwarting of a possible attempt to threaten security near the Congress building, where security personnel were able to arrest an armed young man who was carrying a rifle and military equipment, at a very sensitive time in the American political arena.
In details of the incident revealed by Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan, authorities arrested an 18-year-old man after he suddenly ran toward the Capitol building carrying a loaded rifle. Sullivan explained that the suspect arrived at the scene in a white Mercedes, which he parked near the Capitol complex before getting out and rushing toward the building. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no injuries, as the young man immediately complied with police orders to drop the weapon and surrender.
Initial investigations revealed disturbing details regarding the suspect's equipment; he was wearing a military jacket and gloves at the time of his arrest. A search of his vehicle uncovered additional gear, including a helmet and a gas mask, suggesting a possible premeditated plan or intent to escalate the situation. The ongoing investigation will determine the true motives behind this act.
This incident is particularly significant given its timing, coming just one week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress. This address is one of the most important political events in the United States, bringing together members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Supreme Court justices, and other high-ranking officials, which typically places the area around the Capitol under heightened security measures and exceptional protection protocols to ensure the safety of the nation's leaders.
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., particularly around key federal buildings. For years, the Capitol Police have intensified their presence and defensive strategies to counter individual and organized threats, ensuring that security breaches that could jeopardize American democracy or the safety of lawmakers are not repeated. The swift response of security personnel in this incident highlights their high level of preparedness to address sudden threats.
Politics
The Crown Prince receives a message from the President of Kazakhstan to enhance bilateral cooperation
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from the President of Kazakhstan concerning bilateral relations, which was received by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received an important written message from His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The message focused on ways to strengthen and develop the close bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and to propel them towards broader horizons in various fields.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received the message during his official meeting today at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with His Excellency Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.
The depth of Saudi-Kazakh relations
This message comes amidst the active diplomatic efforts underway in relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kazakhstan, two countries bound by deep-rooted historical ties based on shared values and mutual respect. These relations are gaining increasing importance in light of global geopolitical and economic shifts, as Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and a key strategic partner for the Kingdom in this vital region.
Prospects for economic and investment cooperation
Economically, the two countries possess tremendous potential for cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Both Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan are major global oil producers and active members of the OPEC+ alliance, which strengthens their joint coordination to ensure the stability of global energy markets. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 opens up vast opportunities for mutual investments in mining, infrastructure, food security, and renewable energy, aligning with Kazakhstan's development goals.
The importance of political coordination
On the political front, the exchange of messages between the two leaderships reflects a mutual commitment to continued consultation and coordination on regional and international issues of common interest. The Kingdom plays a pivotal role in promoting stability in the Middle East, while Kazakhstan serves as a vital bridge between Asia and Europe, making the strengthening of their partnership a cornerstone of security and stability in both regions.
The reception was attended on the Saudi side by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Faisal Al-Qahtani, reflecting the high-level diplomatic interest in the outcomes of this meeting and the future steps that will result from it to strengthen the strategic partnership.
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