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His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received Thursday a copy of the credentials of ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad bin Saud bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the ambassador success in fulfilling his duties, affirming the commitment to providing all necessary support to strengthen bilateral relations and foster closer co-operation across various fields.  

Saudi Arabia is open to cancelling some projects in its Vision 2030 programme, the kingdom’s finance minister said, in some of the strongest public comments yet on the country’s willingness to backtrack on costly developments.“We have no ego — absolutely no ego,” Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said in a briefing in Riyadh. “If we announce something and we need to adjust it, accelerate it and make it a priority more than others, or defer or cancel it, we will without blinking.”Saudi officials have widely telegraphed an ongoing review of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s multi-trillion dollar economic transformation plan that includes dozens of projects from desert ski slopes to gaming cities. But comments until now had mostly focused on delays or downsizing, rather than cancellation.The hardening in tone aligns with the newly-released Saudi 2026 budget statement, which puts emphasis on the push to spend more efficiently amid challenges stemming from low oil prices and persistent budget deficits.“Spending efficiency doesn’t mean cutting spending,” al-Jadaan said. “It means decreasing spending on some items to increase on others.”When Bloomberg asked if potential cancellation could include projects at futuristic desert city Neom, he said: “It’s for the Public Investment Fund to decide.”Several parts of Neom — a project that has long been at the heart of the Vision 2030 portfolio — are facing delays and construction challenges, Bloomberg has reported. That includes Trojena, the site racing against a deadline to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and the Line, the 100-mile long skyscrapers set to undergo a strategic review for feasibility.The $1tn PIF, the entity tasked with driving the agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, is due to unveil an updated investment strategy in early 2026. That’s expected to include more of a focus on domestic companies and sectors including technology and tourism.Al-Jadaan mentioned in the Riyadh briefing that the Finance Ministry’s re-calibration exercise included collecting data from government agencies on their strategies and financing needs, then deciding a course of action based on relevance of projects to the diversification drive.The PIF is now doing “something similar to what we did, reprioritising and making sure that their initial plans, now that they have the details of these projects, are recalibrated to ensure that they’re delivering what they are meant to deliver,” said al-Jadaan, a board member.Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said al-Jadaan’s comments on the potential cancellation of projects gives confidence that the government can pull back on capital expenditure, while noting that managing spending on investments with returns will remain critical.Farouk Soussa at Goldman Sachs Group Inc also welcomed the remarks, saying they show a willingness to adjust plans in line with economic and financial realities.“The more transparent they are, the more reassuring they can be that financial and economic considerations will trump the social and political drivers of investment, the more favourably markets are likely to view the investment environment.” 

Saudi Arabia and Oman kick off their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 campaigns with a Group B opener on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.The group also includes Morocco and Comoros, making it one of the most competitive groups in the tournament. Both Saudi Arabia and Oman will be targeting a strong start to boost their qualification chances.Saudi Arabia enter the match with high confidence after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Green Falcons are also two-time Arab Cup champions, having lifted the title in 1998 and 2002.Head coach Herve Renard has named a strong squad led by Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari, alongside Saleh Abu Shamat and goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. The lineup is further strengthened by defender Hassan Tambakti and midfielders Mohamed Kanno and Abdulrahman Al Ayoud.Oman, coached by Portugal's Carlos Queiroz, aim to continue their recent upward trajectory with a balanced squad blending youthful energy and seasoned experience. Key players include Ahmed Al Khamisi, Harib Al Saadi and Mahmoud Al Mashifri.Matches between Saudi Arabia and Oman are traditionally intense and closely contested due to their long-standing regional rivalry. Tuesday's encounter is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round as both teams chase an early advantage in the race for qualification.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Wednesday his office at the Amiri Diwan with Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country. At the outset of the meeting, His Royal Highness conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al -Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, to His Highness the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness, and the Qatari people further progress and prosperity. In turn, His Highness the Amir entrusted Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud with his greetings to  King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, wishing them good health and wellness, and for the Saudi people continued progress and prosperity. During the meeting, the two sides discussed fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to exchanging views on several topics and issues of mutual interest.

The stage is set for a grand battle between Saudi Arabia and Iraq when they meet in their decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Playoffs Group B tie Tuesday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah.It’s a winners-take-all match with the victors booking their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 while the beaten side will advance to a playoff against the Group A runners-up, with the winners to bid for one final chance in the FIFA Playoff Tournament.Both achieved wins against Indonesia with Saudi Arabia’s 3-2 success giving them a slight advantage over Iraq - who picked up a 1-0 win - with the group hosts needing only a draw to take the automatic berth.Herve Renard’s side have had better recovery time, having played on Wednesday but the Frenchman will be without midfielder Mohamed Kanno who was sent off in stoppage time against Indonesia.Renard’s faith in the dynamic 23-year-old Saleh Alshamat - who only had three international caps prior to the Indonesia match - paid off handsomely with the Al Ahli Saudi FC forward netting the equaliser against Indonesia. Feras Albrikan is also in good form, having bagged a brace.It is the defence, however, that is a cause of concern for the French tactician with Indonesia registering 17 shots, 10 of which were on target with Renard urging his players to keep their concentration for this crucial encounter.“What we did before, it’s nothing up to now because if we don’t achieve our goal tomorrow you won’t remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow,” said Renard.“I’m lucky because I have some players with experience like Saleh Al Shehri, Salem Al Dawsari our captain, now Hassan Al Tambakti is getting more experience. I always tell them to stay focused, it’s not always easy with the Saudi players but the most important is when they are listening, so we prepare for this game very quietly. We are concentrated on our goal and we don’t have to do something else, just focus on us. This is the most important."Head coach Graham Arnold is charting an appearance on the global stage for just the second time for Iraq.Iraq only failed to score in three of the 16 matches since Round 2 of the Qualifiers but the availability of topscorer Aymen Hussein remains in doubt after the forward wasn’t in the matchday squad on Saturday.Like his counterpart Renard, Arnold will also have to contend with a suspension with centre-back Zaid Tahseen unavailable following his red card in the closing minutes of the tie against Indonesia but the Australian tactician believes that his Iraq side will be heading into the match under less pressure than their rivals."Everything is great," said Arnold. "It’s a very special game tomorrow night and it’s one I’m really excited about."I think the pressure’s more on Saudi. They have in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win. We have one way and that’s win. So our full focus is going out and go for it."We’ve already captured the spot for the playoff in November and we go for it because Saudi will have 90 percent of the fans, the pressure from the media, pressure from FIFA so the pressure is on Saudi."

Saudi Arabia have been crowned champions of the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025, after claiming a 2-0 win against the UAE in the final match held at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha.The tournament brought together young football talents from the region to compete for the coveted trophy. This was the first time that the competition was held under the auspices of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).“Over the past two weeks, we witnessed the phenomenal talents of young players from the Arabian Gulf. The successful delivery of this tournament once again showcased Qatar’s commitment towards supporting emerging football talents from the region, while uniting fans to celebrate our shared passion for football. Congratulations to all the players who took part, and to Saudi Arabia for clinching the trophy,” said Jassim Sultan al-Rumaihi, AGCFF Secretary General.The AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup is a precursor to a spectacular line-up of tournaments scheduled for this winter. Hosts Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 that will take place from November 3-27 at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone. This will be followed by the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup from 1-18 December. Fans can purchase tickets for both tournaments at www.roadtoqatar.qa. In addition, Qatar is also set to host the AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 from December 4-16, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025, which will take place on December 10, 13 and 17.

Substitute Mohammed al-Khalaf scored a goal and made an assist as Saudi Arabia beat hosts Qatar 2-1 in the semi-finals of the U-17 Gulf Cup in Doha Tuesday.Despite an early goal from Qatar’s Adam Friakh in the 28th minute, Saudi Arabia, reduced to ten men after a red card, fought back. Al-Khalaf, coming as a sub in the 77th minute, scored and assisted, securing the win.

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an emergency session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to examine the grave implications of the Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar.The session discussed the serious humanitarian and human rights consequences of the unlawful Israeli attack on Qatar on September 9, describing it as a blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and international humanitarian law, and a threat to regional peace, safety, and stability.In a statement delivered on behalf of the Secretary-General of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha, by Ambassador Samir Bakr Diab, Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al Quds Affairs, the organisation strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against Qatar, calling it a flagrant breach of international law, including the UN Charter and the fundamental principles governing peaceful relations between states.**media[361808]**He added that targeting a member state of the OIC that actively contributes to mediation and peace efforts sets a dangerous precedent and poses a serious threat to international peace and security. Israel bears full responsibility for this unlawful and unjustified attack and must be held accountable.The OIC also denounced ongoing Israeli violations and crimes in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, including collective punishment, starvation, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian infrastructure.The aggression against Qatar, he noted, marks a dangerous escalation in the regional context, not only an assault on Qatar's sovereignty but also on the collective international efforts to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages and detainees.**media[361810]**He expressed the OIC's deep solidarity with Qatar and pledged unwavering support for any measures the country may take to safeguard its security, sovereignty, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.HE the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and member of the IPHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah stated that the Israeli aggression against Qatar has left deep wounds and humanitarian tragedies, most notably the martyrdom of six individuals, numerous injuries, and the terrorising of civilians.As a member of the IPHRC, HE Al Attiyah strongly condemned this attack, which targeted a civilian area and posed a serious threat to residents and diplomatic missions, adding that it resulted in severe violations, including worsening health conditions for people with chronic illnesses and the temporary deprivation of education for at least 1,000 students due to damage to schools and kindergartens, in addition to acute psychological trauma suffered by children and their families.HE Al Attiyah emphasised that the meeting represents a vital step toward justice for victims and their families, and toward bringing perpetrators of the most serious violations to international accountability.She stressed that the recurrence and expansion of grave violations reflect a deeply troubled international landscape, driven by complicity with aggressors and the failure of protection mechanisms to fulfill their roles. This, she said, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the global system to fulfill the objectives of the UN Charter, translate justice and equality into lived realities, end impunity, and restore hope to millions yearning for a world governed by the values of truth, justice, and peace.She reaffirmed the Commission's role in confronting the grave violations committed by Israeli occupation authorities and expressed confidence that the emergency session would yield conclusions and recommendations capable of shaping a unified and unequivocal international stance against the crimes of aggression, condemning all resulting violations, and ensuring accountability and non-repetition.HE Al Attiyah also highlighted the importance of supporting national human rights institutions and civil society organisations in documenting violations and encouraging their coordination and participation in all actions undertaken by the Commission.For his part, the Chairperson of the OIC's IPHRC Dr. Haci Ali Acikgul condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar, saying it is an unjustified and illegitimate aggression against a sovereign state, and constitutes a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, the fundamental principles of international law, and international humanitarian law.He emphasised that the attack on the State of Qatar was not an isolated incident but rather part of a systematic pattern pursued by the Israeli occupation to target civilians, especially women and children in the Gaza Strip, through a policy of collective punishment, forced displacement, the use of starvation as a weapon, and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure.He added that the Committee reaffirms its full solidarity with the State of Qatar, both government and people, adding that the attack on a state that acts as a mediator to end the conflict is, in essence, an attack on the principle of negotiation itself. The Committee also supports the unanimous condemnation issued by the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Doha on September 15, and supports the roadmap laid out by the Summit for coordinated diplomatic, political, and legal action, he said.He pointed to the importance of demanding that the United Nations Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and other relevant bodies take urgent and decisive action to condemn the Israeli aggression, prevent any future violations, and enforce binding obligations under international law. He called for the opening of independent and impartial investigations into the attack, holding Israel accountable at the international level, and supporting the referral of violations committed by Israel against the State of Qatar and in the occupied Palestinian territories to international judicial mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.Executive Director of the OIC's IPHRC Dr. Hadi bin Ali Alyami said that this emergency session reflects their deep awareness of the gravity of the situation and their shared commitment to their responsibilities as the OIC's IPHRC, which comes in response to the serious human rights repercussions resulting from the unlawful Israeli aggression against the State of Qatar.Alyami added that this aggression was not a passing incident but rather represents a flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and a blatant breach of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which constitute the fundamental pillar of international peace and security. The world was shocked by the targeting of a country known for its active role in humanitarian and diplomatic mediation, its tireless efforts to achieve a ceasefire and to facilitate the release of detainees in Gaza.He pointed out that the IPHRC took the initiative from the outset to condemn the attack on the State of Qatar, calling on everyone to raise their voices in international forums to end impunity, protect civilians, and preserve human dignity in accordance with the principles of international peace and security.For her part, the President of the Human Rights Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Hala bint Mazyad Al Tuwaijri said this session comes amid a grave incident, namely the attack launched by the Israeli occupation authorities against the State of Qatar, which carries serious repercussions for human rights and international humanitarian law, and poses a direct threat to regional and international peace and security.Al Tuwaijri pointed out that the attack constitutes a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights law, violating the right to life and the right to security. It resulted in the killing and wounding of many people, as well as terrorising innocent civilians, especially women and children in the targeted civilian area.She added that they are fully aware that the Israeli attack on the State of Qatar at this time, while sponsoring mediation efforts to stop the war in Gaza and end the humanitarian crisis there, poses an obstacle to efforts to establish peace in the region through diplomatic means.She stressed that such actions cannot be justified under any pretext, but rather reflect a disregard for international standards and a determination to violate the rules agreed upon by the international community to protect humanity.

The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom. The late Grand Mufti also served as head of the Council of Senior Scholars, the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Royal Court said that the funeral prayer will be performed today at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh following the Asr prayer.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has described the International Conference on the Two-State Solution as a pivotal moment to advance peace and reinforce international commitment to a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.Delivering remarks on behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud, Prince Faisal addressed the opening session of the high-level conference on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian conflict, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.In his speech, the Saudi Foreign Minister condemned what he called the brutal crimes of the Israeli occupation in Gaza, ongoing violations in the West Bank, and repeated infringements on the sovereignty of Arab and Islamic nations - citing most recently the blatant aggression against the State of Qatar.Prince Faisal welcomed France's recent recognition of the State of Palestine and commended the growing number of countries taking similar positions. He also pointed to the overwhelming support for the UN General Assembly's adoption of the New York Declaration, which calls for a peaceful resolution and the realization of the two-state solution. With 142 countries voting in favor, he said, the resolution reflects a strong international consensus in support of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, grounded in international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.The minister warned that Israel's continued hostile actions threaten regional and global stability and risk derailing peace efforts. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's longstanding position that the two-state solution remains the only credible path toward a comprehensive and lasting peace.Prince Faisal affirmed the Kingdom's readiness to work closely with France and other nations committed to peace in order to implement the outcomes of the conference. He stressed the urgent need to end the conflict in Gaza, stop all unilateral measures undermining Palestinian sovereignty, and advance a political solution to the crisis.He concluded by thanking the countries that have already recognized, or declared their intention to recognize, the State of Palestine, and called on others to follow suit and take what he described as a historic and necessary step toward justice and stability.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent on Monday a cable of congratulations to his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of his country's National Day.

His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani sent on Monday a cable of congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of his country's National Day.